What’s your GPA? It’s an important metric that can be used to gauge how well you are performing in school and whether or not you will be accepted into your Dream College or graduate program. But calculating your GPA isn’t as simple as it sounds, and there’s more than one way to go about it. Read on to learn the ins and outs of GPA calculator so you can determine whether you need to improve your grades or are in great shape heading into the next semester!

What is GPA?

A GPA, or grade point average, is a number calculated by adding all your letter grades together and dividing by how many classes you’ve taken. In high school, it can be used to apply to colleges. In college and university, it determines whether you have to take remedial classes before you can enroll in higher level courses. And there are even professional certifications like nursing where having a specific GPA is part of qualification requirements. Whether you think grades matter or not, your academic record will follow you throughout life so it’s worth thinking about carefully as soon as possible.

How to calculate your GPA

Many students don’t realize just how important their grade point average is. Not only does your GPA factor into whether or not you get accepted to college, but it can also have a huge impact on what schools will offer you in financial aid packages. Some colleges use a higher threshold than others for GPAs and many stipulate that a certain percentage of your classes must be taken at an institution in order for it to be considered in your final GPA calculations. Some go so far as requiring applicants to have already completed certain classes (often referred to as gateway courses). If you find yourself wondering how to calculate your GPA, consider these suggestions: Talk to your guidance counselor or school administrators about what types of grades are counted in calculating student GPAs.

What if I want to be a doctor?

There are many different ways to become a doctor. Many opt for medical school after completing a bachelor’s degree, but you don’t have to wait that long if your dream is more immediate. Doctors are needed in hospitals, research facilities and private practices across the country, meaning there are many different avenues into medicine. That said, most paths will require at least a master’s degree—and some doctors complete their medical studies while holding down jobs or raising children. If you want to become a doctor and earn money while doing so, see where your path leads on our physician salary GPA calculator site.

What if I have AP classes?

AP classes are weighted more than non-AP classes, and some schools may use different cut-off points for determining a student’s grade point average. These factors can make figuring out your GPA tricky. However, most colleges and universities have official website worth calculator that list their expectations for AP class grades; so if you’ve taken a few AP courses in high school, search your college’s website or call their admissions office to find out how they count those courses. If you can’t find what you need there, give them a call; admissions officers are usually more than happy to help prospective students figure out such details—and it shows that you’re serious about making sure you don’t waste any of your potential scholarships!