Skip to main content

GPA Calculation

On this page:


Undergraduate Students

Grade Point Average (GPA) is a standard calculation of all grades earned at the University of Maryland. GPA calculation is determined by  policy III-6.00 and the quality points for each grade is set by  policy III-6.20(A).

The university calculates two GPAs:

  1. Semester GPA: calculation of grades at UMD for a specific term
  2. Cumulative GPA: calculation of all grades at UMD through the most recent graded term

GradeQuality Points
Grade A+Quality Points 4.0
Grade AQuality Points 4.0
Grade A-Quality Points 3.7
Grade B+Quality Points 3.3
Grade BQuality Points 3.0
Grade B-Quality Points 2.7
Grade C+Quality Points 2.3
Grade CQuality Points 2.0
Grade C-Quality Points 1.7
Grade D+Quality Points 1.3
Grade DQuality Points 1.0
Grade D-Quality Points 0.7
Grade FQuality Points 0.0
Grade XFQuality Points 0.0
Grade I*Quality Points --
Grade P*Quality Points --
Grade S*Quality Points --
Grade W*Quality Points --
Grade NGR*Quality Points --

*Courses for which a mark of I, P, S, W, or NGR has been assigned are not included in computing the GPA. Other factors may also impact your GPA calculation, e.g. zero-level courses (MATH003), repeated courses. Please contact your advisor for more information.

How to Calculate Your GPA

  1. Multiply the attempted credits of the course by the number of quality points assigned to the grade earned.
  2. Add quality points in each course for your total quality points.
  3. Add attempted credits in each course for your total attempted credits.
  4. Divide total quality points by total attempted credits.
  5. This calculation is your GPA.

Example GPA Calculation


Course Grade Grade's Quality Points Attempted Credits Quality Points Earned in Course
Course ENGL101 Grade A Grade's Quality Points 4 Attempted Credits 3 Quality Points Earned in Course 12
Course MATH115 Grade B- Grade's Quality Points 2.7 Attempted Credits 3 Quality Points Earned in Course 8.1
Course PHYS121 Grade C+ Grade's Quality Points 2.3 Attempted Credits 4 Quality Points Earned in Course 9.2
Course MUSC205 Grade F Grade's Quality Points 0 Attempted Credits 3 Quality Points Earned in Course 0
Course Total Grade N/A Grade's Quality Points N/A Attempted Credits 13 Quality Points Earned in Course 29.3

GPA = 29.3 divided by 13 = 2.253 (Your GPA is truncated at the thousandths digit without rounding)

For additional assistance calculating your GPA, use Testudo GPA Calculator or see an academic advisor.


Graduate Students

Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed by dividing the total number of quality points accumulated in courses for which a grade of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, or F, has been assigned by the total number of credits attempted in those courses. Each letter grade has an associated quality points value (see table below). Multiplying the quality points value by the number of credits for a particular course gives the number of quality points earned for that course. 

All courses taken that are numbered 400 and above will be used in the calculation of the grade point average.

The following are not used in the calculation of the grade point average: 

  • Courses at the 500-level 
  • Courses numbered 799, 898, 899 
  • Courses graded with an S

Repeated courses will impact GPA calculations. Review Course Repeats for more information.


Grade Quality Points
Grade A+ Quality Points 4.0
Grade A Quality Points 4.0
Grade A- Quality Points 3.7
Grade B+ Quality Points 3.3
Grade B Quality Points 3.0
Grade B- Quality Points 2.7
Grade C+ Quality Points 2.3
Grade C Quality Points 2.0
Grade C- Quality Points 1.7
Grade D+ Quality Points 0.0
Grade D Quality Points 0.0
Grade D- Quality Points 0.0
Grade F Quality Points 0.0
Grade I Quality Points 0.0

Additional information on GPA Calculation can be found in the  Academic Catalog.