COUNS 1 – ORIENTATION FOR COLLEGE SUCCESS
DLA # 1: Letter Grades & Grade Point Average
Student Handout
If at any time, you have questions about how to complete any part of this DLA,
email them to: mdsc@lbcc.edu
Objectives: By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
 Identify the types of grades that will be used to calculate grade point average (GPA).
 Recognize how letter grades impact one’s grade point average.
 Analyze the impact of grade point average on academic standing.
 Calculate one’s GPA for the current semester.
Materials needed:
 Counseling 1 course packet
 A print out of your current class
schedule


Paper & pencil for calculations
Calculator
Step 1: Preview Questions: Answer the questions below.
1. What do you know about calculating grade point average?
2. What do you know about academic probation?
3. How can your GPA affect your academic goal (degree, certificate, transfer, etc.)?
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Step 2: Review the Course Packet Review the relevant pages in the Counseling 1 Course
Packet on grades, GPAs and completion ratios.
Step 3: Review Definitions Review the important terms and definitions below.
 Grade Point Average (GPA): – The grades you earn in your classes determine your GPA.
Grade point averages are computed by dividing grade points (G/P) by the units attempted
(U/A).
GPA = GRADE POINTS
UNITS ATTEMPTED
 Units Attempted (U/A) – All units for which grades of A, B, C, D or F are received.
Units with grades of W (withdrawal), I (incomplete), P (pass), or NP (no pass) are not
used in units attempted.
 Grade Value (GV) – Each letter grade is assigned a value. Below are the grade values for
each grade.
A=4
B=3
C=2
D =1
F=0
Grades such as W (withdrawal), I (incomplete), P (pass) and NP (no pass) have no grade
value (GV).
 Grade Points (GP) – Grade points are the product of the unit value of each class in units
attempted multiplied by the value of each letter grade.
UA x GV = GP
 Academic Probation: When a student’s overall GPA is below 2.0 after attempting 12 or
more units cumulatively at LBCC, the student shall be placed on Academic Probation.
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Grade Values
A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0
W, I, P, and NP = no GV
Problem 1:
Review how the GPA was calculated and answer the questions
below.
Class
English 1
Math 110
History 11
Total
Grade
B
C
D
Units
Attempted
(UA)
4
5
3
12
Grade
Value (GV)
Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP
3
2
1
12
10
3
25
GPA = GRADE POINTS
UNITS ATTEMPTED
=
25
12

In Problem 1, is the student on academic probation Yes

Why or why not?

What two criteria must be met for a student to be on academic probation?
Problem 2:
Class
English 105
Math 815
Read 883
Couns 49
Total

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No
= 2.08
?
Compute the grade points and the GPA using the information below. Refer to the
definitions and examples on pages 2 and 3 as needed.
Grade
B
NP
P
A
Units
Attempted
(UA)
4
0
0
2
6
GPA
4
Grade
Value (GV)
3
No GV
No GV
4
Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP
Grade Values
A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0
W, I, P, and NP = no GV
Problem 3:
Analyze Bob’s academic performance for his first three semesters at
LBCC and answer the questions below.
Fall
Class
Couns 1
Learn 11
English 105
Health Ed 3
Total
Grade
B
P
D
C
Units
Attempted
(UA)
1
0
4
3
Grade
Value (GV)

Calculate Bob’s GPA for this semester

How do you think Bob did his first semester at LBCC?

Should Bob retake English 105? Why or why not?
Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP
Spring
Class
Grade
English 105
B
Units
Attempted
(UA)
4
Math 110
Music 35
Pepf 42AD
Total
C
A
W
5
3
0
Grade
Value (GV)

Calculate Bob’s GPA for this semester

Why did the Pepf 42AD class not yield any units attempted?
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Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP
Summer
Class
Film 1
Total
Grade
Units
Attempted
(UA)
3
B
Grade
Value (GV)
Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP

Calculate Bob’s GPA for this semester

How do you think you might calculate Bob’s cumulative (total) GPA for all three
semesters?
Problem 4:
Now you will apply what you have learned to calculate your projected GPA for
this semester. Take a few minutes to predict the grades you think you will earn
for each class you are currently enrolled in. Complete all rows in the chart below
for your current classes and then calculate your projected GPA.
Class
Couns 1

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Projected
Grade(s)
A
Units
Attempted
(UA)
1
What is your projected GPA this semester?
6
Grade
Value (GV)
Grade Points (GP)
UA x GV = GP
4
1x4 = 4 points
Step 5: Follow-Up Answer the follow-up questions.
1. Write the process you used to calculate your projected GPA.
2. Did you use all the grades from your current class schedule to calculate your GPA? In
other words, do any of your classes not affect your GPA? Explain.
3. If a student has a 1.79 GPA after completing 10 units of classes at LBCC, is that student
on Academic Probation? Why or why not?
4. What impact do you think Ds and Fs will have on a student’s GPA and probation status?
5. What did you learn from this activity that you can apply right away this semester?
6. If your friend asked you how to calculate her GPA, what would you tell her?
Congratulations! You have completed part of your Couns 1 DLA. To receive credit for completing this
assignment, you will participate in an online follow-up session with a Center staff member. Go to the
“Online Follow-up Sessions” link on the Multidisciplinary Student Success Center Online Supplemental
Learning Assistance site: http://lbcc.edu/successcenters/mdsc/ to learn how to schedule your online
appointment with a Center staff member.
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