How To Calculate GPA

Everyone wants to know, "what's your GPA?"  Why?  Because your GPA or Grade Point Average is a key indicator of how well you're doing in school.  But, how to calculate GPA?  This leaves a lot of students confused and frustrated.  Does this sound like you?

Not to worry...calculating your GPA can be fun and easy.  In this post, I'll show you a simple and convenient way of keeping track of your GPA.

Step 1 - Where's your grades?

The first step in learning how to calculate GPA is getting your grades.  Got them in front of you? Great!  We'll use these grades below as an example and you can follow along by replacing them with your real grades.

Math A
Science B
History C
Art A
Speech B

Step 2 - What are they worth?

Each letter grade is worth a certain number of points.  Here's the scale that you can use to determine what each letter grade is worth:

A=4
B=3
C=2
D=1
F=0

So, by using the grades above, here is what each of our classes is worth -

Math=4
Science=3
History=2
Art=4
Speech=3

Step 3 - Add them up.

Now, all we have to do is add up how many points we've earned:

4+3+2+4+3 = 16

Looks like we've earned 16 points!

Step 4 - Divide by the number of classes you're taking.

Based on this example, we're taking 5 classes (math, science, history, art, and speech)

So, we need to take 16 (from step #3) divided by 5

16/5 = 3.2

Your current GPA is 3.2.  This is how to calculate GPA!  Simple, right?

SAT Scores for Colleges

Every year, students prepare to take the SAT, also known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test.  In order to adequately prepare for this test, students study tirelessly for months.  This test plays an important role in the college admissions process.  In fact, it is (in most cases) required to get accepted into college.  The SAT scores students in the following 3 areas: math, reading, and writing.

Your performance on this exam is important.  The admissions committee will use this as a basis for determining if you can handle college level courses.  The admissions committee will also look at your GPA, level of class difficulty, and extracurricular activities.  So, if you don’t score well on the SAT exam, but do well in other areas, you still have a shot at your dream school.

Some schools are more competitive than others, and therefore have higher average SAT scores.  For your convenience, I’ve outlined the average SAT scores for colleges and universities that public and private.  These are highly competitive schools and are only listed to help you get a feel for the average SAT scores at colleges and universities of this caliber. 

Top Private Colleges

1.     Amherst (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Reading: 670-770

Math: 660-760

Writing: 670-760

2.     Carleton (Northfield, Minnesota)

Reading: 650-750

Math: 660-740

Writing: 650-730

3.     Grinnell (Grinnell, Iowa)

Reading: 630-740

Math: 620-720

Writing: Not Available

4.     Haverford (Haverford, Pennsylvania)

Reading: 650-750

Math: 640-740

Writing: 650-750

5.     Middlebury (Middlebury, Vermont)

Reading: 630-740

Math: 640-740

Writing: 630-740

Top Public Colleges and Universities

1.     College of William and Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)

Reading: 620-730

Math: 620-720

Writing: 610-710

2.     Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Georgia)

Reading: 600-690

Math: 650-730

Writing: 590-680

3.     UCLA (Los Angeles, California)

Reading: 560-680

Math: 590-720

Writing: 580-700

4.     University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Reading: 590-690

Math: 640-740

Writing: Not Available

5.     UNC (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Reading: 590-690

Math: 620-700

Writing: 590-690

I hope this helps as you prepare to tackle the SAT exam.  For additional average SAT scores for colleges, CLICK HERE.

SAT Test Registraion

With a little direction, the SAT test registration process is pretty easy: it’s pretty easy to register for the SAT exam. 

Step 1: Log-on to the College Board website and create an account.  In order to do this, you’ll need to create a user name and password.

Step 2: Visit sat.collegeboard.com/register and click the “Register Now” button.  From there you should be able to select which dates you want to register for.

Step 3: Register – Here are the SAT test registration dates for 2011 –

January 22, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – December 23, 2010

·        Late Registration Closes – January 7, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – February 11, 2011

March 12, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT Subject Tests ONLY

·        Regular Registration Closes – February 11, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – February 25, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – April 1, 2011

May 7, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – April 8, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – April 22, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – May 27, 2011

June 4, 2011

·        Test Offered – SAT & SAT Subject Tests

·        Regular Registration Closes – May 6, 2011

·        Late Registration Closes – May 20, 2011

·        Scores Available via Internet – June 24, 2011

Step 4: Make a list of the things that you should take with you.  They are as follows –

ü  SAT Admissions Ticket

ü  Two #2 Pencils

ü  Photo ID

ü  Calculator

ü  Watch (to keep track of time)

ü  Drink/Snack (for break time)

Step 5: Relax…knowing that your SAT test registration went smoothly.

Average SAT Score

Is preparing for the SAT exam driving you crazy!?!  Are you constantly wondering…what average SAT score do I need to get into college???

I can certainly understand your frustration.  We’re going to keep this post short and sweet, but useful.  Below you’ll find a list of the average SAT scores for some of the nation’s top colleges and universities:

DISCLAIMER: Each section of the exam (Reading, Math, and Writing), is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale. Therefore, the highest possible score is 2400.

1.   Duke

Reading (660-750)

Math (680-790)

Writing (680-780)

2.   Northwestern

Reading (670-750)

Math (680-770)

Writing (660-750)

3.   Notre Dame

Reading (650-740)

Math (670-760)

Writing (640-730)

4.   Stanford

Reading (650-750)

Math (680-780)

Writing (670-760)

5.   Vanderbilt

Reading (650-740)

Math (680-760)

Writing (650-730)

For more information on what average SAT score you need to get into college, CLICK HERE.

Good luck!

Common College Application

In the midst of a very hectic senior year, completing college application can be a real pain in the butt!  That’s why you should consider the Common College Application.

What’s the Common College Application, you ask?  Great Question…

The Common College Application is a general application that can be used to apply to over 400 college and universities.  Sound pretty neat, right?  This general application was created by a not-for-profit organization and is used by over 2 million applicants each year.  And, the best part is that the service itself is absolutely FREE! 

The Common College Application also makes it easy and less stressful for you to gather all the additional documents that you’ll need to submit with your application.  Most college and universities require you to send in letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a variety of other information that you’ll need to get from either your teachers or guidance counselors. 

The Common College Application website allows teachers to log-on to their website and complete all the forms right there on the screen. Or, if they prefer to print out the documents, they can do that too!  Sounds simple, right?
If you’re interested in learning more about the Common College Application, CLICK HERE!

Good luck J