The Most Common Mistake
Many students calculate cumulative GPA incorrectly by simply averaging their semester GPAs together. This only works if every semester had the exact same number of credits - which is rarely true. The correct method uses total grade points and total credits across all semesters combined.
Worked Example
| Semester | Semester GPA | Credits | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Year 1 | 3.4 | 15 | 51.0 |
| Spring Year 1 | 3.6 | 14 | 50.4 |
| Fall Year 2 | 3.8 | 16 | 60.8 |
| Total | 45 | 162.2 |
162.2 ÷ 45 = 3.60 Cumulative GPA
Notice this isn't the same as simply averaging 3.4, 3.6, and 3.8 (which would give 3.6 by coincidence here, but won't in cases with uneven credit loads).
Automate It
The cumulative GPA calculator handles this automatically across as many semesters as you need to add.