[ont.jobs] GPAs on 4 point scale

tjhorton@ai.toronto.edu ("Timothy J. Horton") (02/27/88)

From the application materials to UCSD, since that's handy: "To calculate a
grade-point average, divide the total number of grade-points earned by the
number of units attempted for grade-point credit."

UCSD		Toronto/Waterloo
conversions	letter conversions
A  = 4		(85 to 100%)
A- = 3.7	(80 to 84%)
B+ = 3.3	(77 to 79%)
B  = 3		(73 to 76%)
B- = 2.7	(70 to 72%)
C+ = 2.3	(67 to 69%)
C  = 2		(63 to 66%)
C- = 1.7	(60 to 62%)
D+ = 1.3	(57 to 59%)
D  = 1		(53 to 56%)
D- = .7		(50 to 52%)

F (Failure) = 0	(below 50%)

Someone mentioned that A+ converts to a 4.3 GP.  I don't think GP's or GPA's
go above 4.0 in the generally accepted system (just like percentages don't
get any higher than 100).  In other words, A+ is worth as much as an A.
Maybe it depends on the school, but I think this is the American norm.

NOTE:  Convert to GP's, THEN average the GP's.  This often gives lower results
than averaging then converting, the reason being anything over an A (ie. 85%)
is just an A in their system.  In percentage systems, a mark in the 90s can
balance a mark in the 70s to give you an A average.  Schools with their wits
about them will disallow you taking unfair advantage of the conversion (they
want to know how well you're doing by THEIR standards).