The Weighted Bonus
Most schools that offer weighted GPA give a full extra point for AP or IB classes (A = 5.0 instead of 4.0), and a half-point bonus for Honors classes (A = 4.5). Exact policies vary, so check your school's specific scale.
Worked Example
Compare a student taking all regular classes against one taking two AP classes, same grades otherwise:
| Scenario | Classes | Weighted GPA |
|---|---|---|
| All Regular | 5 classes, all A's | 4.0 |
| 2 AP Classes | 3 regular A's + 2 AP A's | 4.4 |
The second student's GPA is meaningfully higher for the identical letter grades - purely because of the AP weighting.
Should You Take the Harder Class?
If you're confident you can maintain at least a B in the AP/IB/Honors version, it's almost always worth it for GPA purposes - a B in a weighted class (4.0) often ties or beats an A in a regular one (4.0). If you're at real risk of a C or below, weigh that against the GPA benefit carefully.
Read the full weighted vs unweighted comparison, or calculate your own scenario with the weighted grade calculator.