GUIDE深度 · Deep dive
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA averages every course on a 4.0 scale; weighted GPA adds extra points for AP and honors. Weighted looks higher, but formulas differ by school and are not directly comparable.
How weighting works
Common practice adds 1.0 for AP and 0.5 for honors, but many schools cap the scale or weight only some courses.
Weighting changes grade points, not credits; GPA is still a credit-weighted average.
Which one colleges use
Many colleges recalculate with their own formula or look at both plus course rigor.
Report the GPA your transcript shows; do not silently convert it yourself.
FAQ
Is weighted always higher?
Only if you do well in weighted courses; low grades there still pull it down.
How do I convert a 5.0 scale?
There is no universal conversion; use the school's formula, not a simple ratio.