How to convert AP scores to GPA?
giasuib.com – Did you know that AP (Advanced Placement) scores are used to boost your GPA? Let’s learn how to convert AP scores to GPA.
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Weighted vs. Unweighted GPAs
Before knowing the AP grade conversion to GPA, students must know the difference between a weighted GPA and an unweighted GPA.
Normally, GPA will be calculated on an unweighted scale. Unweighted GPA is measured on a scale of 0 to 4.0. This grading scale will have a disadvantage for good students in that it will not take into account the difficulty of a student’s coursework. An unweighted GPA always represents an A grade as a 4.0 whether it was obtained in honors classes, AP courses, or lower-level classes.
A weighted GPA is often used by high schools because it shows in great detail a student’s academic achievement. The weighted GPA takes into account the achievement that students have made during their school time, such as honors courses, or AP classes,… The weighted GPA scale ranges between 0 – 5.0 instead of 4.0. A high score in an AP subject can translate into a 5.0 weighted GPA, while an A in a regular class only gives you a 4.0. Many schools also offer honors classes where students can earn a 4.5 weighted GPA.
To better understand how weighted and unweighted GPA work. Take a look at this sample:
| Course | Grade | Unweighted Grade | Weighted Grade |
| English | A- | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| AP US History | B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| Precalculus | A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| AP Chemistry | A- | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| Honors French | A- | 3.7 | 4.7 |
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How to convert AP scores to GPA
Since the Unweighted GPA does not consider the AP score in the scale, we will not cover it. To understand how to convert AP scores into GPA scores, please take a look at the table below to see AP scores compared to normal grades:
| Grade | Standard | AP Weighted |
| A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.7 |
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To know how to convert AP scores to GPA is to know how the Weighted GPA is calculated. So how is the Weighted GPA calculated? Remember, each grade has to be considered in conjunction with class level. This means using the unweighted GPA conversion scale for grades in regular-level classes, after which adding additional scores according to the following criteria:
- Grade A in AP classes will be 5.0
- Grade A in honors class will be 4.5
- Grade B in AP classes will be 4.0
- Grade B in honors class will be 3.5.. and so on
And that’s the AP grade conversion to GPA.