Your GPA is one of the most important academic numbers in school. If your GPA is lower than you want, the good news is that it can improve over time with better grades and more completed credits.
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated using the grade points you earn in each class and the number of credit hours for those classes.
For example:
If you want to see exactly how GPA works, you can use our GPA Calculator.
Once you complete a class, its grade becomes part of your permanent GPA calculation. That means the best way to raise your GPA is to perform better in your upcoming classes.
Higher grades in future semesters will gradually raise your cumulative GPA.
If you want to reach a specific GPA, you can calculate what grades you need in upcoming semesters.
Use our GPA Increase Calculator to see exactly what GPA you must average in future classes to reach your target.
The time it takes to raise your GPA depends on:
Students with fewer completed credits can usually raise their GPA faster.
Improving your GPA takes time, but strong grades in future classes can significantly raise it over several semesters. Tracking your grades and understanding how GPA works will help you stay on track academically.