One word that usually comes up when one evaluates academic performance in high school is GPA, which stands for Grade Point Average. For scholarship opportunities as well as college admissions, this criterion is really important. Not all GPAs, however, are equal. There are generally two types of GPA that are used to evaluate students, unweighted GPA and weighted GPA. This often confuses students about how these GPAs are calculated and how they work. 

Though both reflect a student’s academic performance, their methods differ. In this blog, we are going to check out what is a weighted and unweighted GPA so that no confusion is left.  

How is Weighted GPA Defined?

The weighted GPA, however, considers the course rigor a student is undertaking. Usually, advanced placement (AP), international baccalaureate (IB), and honors courses get more weight than regular ones. Students, therefore, have the chance to get GPAs above 4.0 when they shine in these challenging subjects.

How an Unweighted GPA is Defined?

It is the typical approach to assessing academic performance which uses the scale of 0.0 to 4.0. This scale deals with all courses fairly, notwithstanding their degree of difficulty. An ‘A’ is valued the same whether a student signs up for a normal math class or an advanced one. 

What of These Methods is Used for Evaluation by Universities?

It is a very common question that remains in the mind of the students and they often wonder about it. Now, that we know what does unweighted GPA mean as well as what weighted GPA refers, to let’s find out which of these is followed by the universities. 

The fact is that most schools evaluate both. Admissions officers frequently recompute applicants’ GPAs using their own internal standards in order to guarantee justice across several educational systems. This habit lets them assess not just a student’s academic success but also their willingness to accept academic obstacles.

In simple words, if unweighed GPA offers a simple view of academic performance of students, a weighted GPA indicates that a student is ready for high-level studies. 

Which GPA is of More Importance?

Each GPA serves a different function; it is not about one being superior to the other. The unweighted GPA makes a precise evaluation of academic achievement possible, hence simplifying student comparisons. On the other hand, the weighted GPA recognizes those who pursue more demanding coursework, therefore providing universities with insightful information about a candidate’s drive and will.

Understanding the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA is absolutely critical for those students who are planning their high school classes and getting ready for college applications. Each kind of GPA has its own value, and schools view an applicant’s academic record holistically. Finding the perfect balance between obtaining great grades and taking demanding courses can enhance both GPAs and increase your chance of standing out during the admissions process.

We hope that this blog was helpful for you and you now understand the difference between the two as well as you know how to calculate unweighted GPA and weighted GPA. For more information, visit learningtoday.net.