Calculating your Grade Point Average (GPA):
GPA formula: Total Quality Points (QP) ÷ Total GPA hours = GPA
1.
Figure out your total quality points
You earn quality points, also known as grade points, based your final grade in each course. Points are
determined by Rockhurst’s grading system (found in the RU Catalog):
A
AB+
B
BC+
4.00
3.67
3.33
3.00
2.67
2.33
C
CD+
D
F
2.00
1.67
1.33
1.00
0.00
Multiply quality points by credit hours to determine total quality points.
Example: Your final grade in TH 1000 is a B-. Multiply 2.67 (from chart above) by 3 (number of
credit hours for TH 1000). 2.67 X 3 = 8.01. You’ve earned 8.01 quality points for your B- in
TH 1000. Repeat this for all of your classes and add up the quality points to get your total quality points
for the semester.
Sample: Course
TH 1000
EN 1110
HS 1100
MT 1190
FS 1100
Final grade
BB
C
CA
QP
2.67
3.00
2.00
1.67
4.00
X
Credit hours
3
3
3
3
1
13
=
Total QP
8.01
9.00
6.00
5.01
4.00
32.02
2.
Figure your term GPA by applying the GPA formula (QP÷credit hours=GPA) 32.02 ÷ 13 = 2.46.
3.
Use running totals of quality points and credit hours to determine your cumulative GPA.
Practice:
Using information from the sample above, figure out the cumulative GPA after adding a 15-hour semester
with a B average.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Totals
QP
32.02
+ _____
_____
Credit hours
13
+ 15
28
÷
28
= _______ Cumulative GPA
Problem #1 – Calculate your term GPA using your mid-term grades
If the semester ended at midterm, what GPA would you have?
Course
Midterm grade
Grade points
X Credit hours = Quality Points
Totals:
GPA Formula:
Total Q.P.s ÷
________
÷
______
Total hours =
_______
=
______
GPA
Problem #2 – Set a GPA goal
Use your current GPA (quality points and hours) to figure out a realistic GPA goal for your next
semester. What will you need for the term in order to meet your overall GPA goal?
HINT: Access your transcript on Rockweb to find your earned credit hours and quality points.
Current totals:
Q.P.
_____
GPA hours
_____
GPA
_____
Projected goal
_____
_____
_____ (semester goal)
_____
÷
_____
=
_____ (desired overall goal)
Recommendations:
• Keep track of your GPA and hours.
• Know your requirements for financial aid/scholarships. See a financial aid counselor.
• Set GPA goals (both term and cumulative GPA). Use campus resources to meet them.
Other things to remember:
• Your Rockhurst GPA does not include grades from transfer coursework.
• You can repeat a course (at RU) to replace a failing or low grade –see catalog for details.
• The RU catalog is the source to find grade (and other university) policies and specific
graduation requirements.