Cumulative GPA Explained: Formula, Examples & Tips
Your cumulative GPA is the single most important number on your transcript. Here's exactly how it works and why it matters.
What Is Cumulative GPA?
Cumulative GPA is your overall grade point average across all semesters of your academic career. Unlike semester GPA (which covers one term), cumulative GPA represents your entire academic record.
The Formula
Where Total Quality Points = Σ (Course Grade Points × Course Credits) across ALL semesters
Worked Example
Let's say a student has completed two semesters:
Semester 1 (Fall)
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 |
| Math 101 | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Biology 101 | B | 3.0 | 4 | 12.0 |
| History 101 | A− | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Semester 1 Total | 13 | 45.0 | ||
Semester 1 GPA = 45.0 ÷ 13 = 3.46
Semester 2 (Spring)
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 102 | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Math 102 | A− | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Chemistry 101 | B− | 2.7 | 4 | 10.8 |
| Psychology 101 | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Art 101 | A | 4.0 | 2 | 8.0 |
| Semester 2 Total | 15 | 53.9 | ||
Semester 2 GPA = 53.9 ÷ 15 = 3.59
Cumulative GPA
Why You Can't Just Average Semester GPAs
Simple average: (3.46 + 3.59) ÷ 2 = 3.525
Correct cumulative: 3.532
The difference exists because Semester 2 had more credits (15 vs. 13), so it rightfully has more influence. With more semesters and larger credit differences, this gap grows significantly.
Why Cumulative GPA Matters
- Graduate school admissions: Most programs require minimum cumulative GPAs (e.g., 3.0 for many programs, 3.5+ for competitive ones)
- Dean's List and Latin Honors: Based on cumulative GPA (e.g., Cum Laude ≥ 3.5, Magna Cum Laude ≥ 3.7, Summa Cum Laude ≥ 3.9)
- Scholarships: Many require maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA
- Academic standing: Probation and dismissal are typically based on cumulative GPA
- Employers: Some entry-level positions list minimum GPA requirements
Key Things to Know
Transfer Credits
When you transfer schools, your new institution usually:
- Accepts credits but not grades from your previous school
- Starts your institutional GPA fresh at the new school
- However, application services (LSAC, AMCAS) include all undergraduate grades from every institution
Repeated Courses
Most schools have a "grade replacement" policy for repeated courses. This means only the new grade counts toward your cumulative GPA (the old grade may still appear on the transcript).
Full guide: Repeat and Grade Forgiveness Policies →
Pass/Fail and Withdrawals
Pass (P) and Withdrawal (W) grades typically don't affect cumulative GPA. But specifics vary by school and application service.
Full guide: Pass/Fail and Withdrawal Handling →
How to Raise Your Cumulative GPA
The math reality: the more credits you have, the harder it is to move your cumulative GPA. Here's a rough guide:
| Current Credits | Current GPA | Target GPA | Credits Needed (all A's) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 30 |
| 60 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 60 |
| 90 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 90 |
| 60 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 40 |
| 90 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 60 |
Key insight: It takes the same number of A-credits as your existing credits to raise your GPA by ~0.5 points. Start improving early!
Related Tools & Guides
Need Extra Help with Your Grades?
Explore curated academic resources, tutoring, and study tools to boost your GPA.
Explore Resources