What is GPA? All You Need to Know About GPA

If you're a student with aspirations for studying abroad, you've likely heard of GPA. It's a crucial factor in assessing your academic capabilities, required for studying abroad in any country. Let's delve into what GPA is with Mytour today!

What is GPA?

GPA stands for Grade Point Average, a measure of a student's average performance in a course or academic program. It's a vital metric used to evaluate your academic progress.

So, what does GPA signify? It not only assesses your academic performance but also serves as a basis for ranking, scholarship awards, and graduation evaluations. Moreover, GPA is a crucial criterion for studying abroad worldwide. Most educational institutions rely on GPA to assess your eligibility for studying abroad and receiving scholarships.

How to Calculate GPA in Vietnam

After understanding what GPA is, let's explore how to calculate GPA in Vietnam. Depending on the educational level, there are different methods for calculating GPA. Below are the methods for calculating GPA at each level of education:

University Level

For university level in Vietnam, GPA is calculated based on various factors such as attendance, midterm exams, and final exams. These scores are weighted in the ratio of 1:3:6 respectively. Depending on the subject, this ratio may vary slightly.

The formula commonly used for calculating university GPA is: (Total average score of the subject * Number of credit hours for that subject) / Total credit hours

Example: You study 3 subjects:  

• Subject X - average score is 3 with 4 credit hours
• Subject Y - average score is 2 with 3 credit hours
• Subject Z - average score is 4 with 2 credit hours

So your GPA will be: (3*4 + 2*3 + 4*2) / 9 = 2.89

High School Level

Compared to calculating GPA at the university level, calculating GPA at the high school level is easier. High school GPA is calculated using the formula:

Total average score each year / Number of years

Example: Your average score in 12th grade is 9.2, in 11th grade is 8.3, and in 10th grade is 8.5, so your GPA will be calculated as: (9.2 + 8.3 + 9.5)/3 = 9.0

How to Convert GPA according to International Standards when Studying Abroad

Each country or region will have a different GPA calculation method. Therefore, when intending to study abroad, you will surely wonder whether GPA can be converted and what the GPA conversion method is. In Vietnam, the usual scores range from 1 to 10, but some other regions will use a 100-point scale or letter grades. Let's explore the GPA conversion methods below:

Converting GPA based on a 10-point scale

You can refer to the table below to convert your scores to GPA. This table has been used by some universities in Vietnam.

Example: If your average score is 9.2 and the school you are applying to for studying abroad uses a 4-point scale, then the GPA score in your study abroad application will be 4.0

When converting, you also need to pay attention to Weighted GPA and Unweighted GPA:

• Weighted GPA is the GPA with weights, and it is calculated based on the difficulty level of the courses. Usually calculated from 0 - 5.0
• Unweighted GPA is the GPA without weights, and it is not based on the difficulty level of the courses. Usually calculated from 0 - 4.0

Moreover, some schools still use Vietnam's 10-point scale. If the school does not require GPA conversion, you should use the 10-point scale to fill in the application.

Convert GPA according to the 100-point scale

In some countries like the US, Japan, or South Korea, the 100-point scale is commonly used

What are the GPA requirements for applying to study abroad?

Depending on the country or region you choose, there will be different regulations regarding GPA scores. Most schools will require a GPA of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) or B (on a letter grade scale) and above. To qualify for scholarships, the GPA typically needs to be 8.0 and above (on a 10-point scale). Below, Mytour will summarize the GPA requirements for studying abroad in some countries:

GPA Requirements for Studying Abroad in the US

Unlike many other countries, in the US, GPA requirements vary depending on the program of study and the school you choose for studying abroad. Generally, to ensure admission to US schools, the minimum required GPA is usually 7.0 or above. If you aim to save costs while studying abroad, you can target scholarships with a GPA above 8.5 (equivalent to 3.5 on a 4-point scale).

GPA Requirements for Studying Abroad in Canada

In addition to GPA requirements, for college or university programs, as well as master's programs, you also need to have a bachelor's degree.

GPA Requirements for Studying Abroad in Australia

GPA Requirements for Studying Abroad in New Zealand

GPA Requirements for Studying Abroad in Japan

For college or university programs in Japan, with a GPA of 5.0, you still have the possibility to study abroad at smaller institutions. However, the credibility of these institutions may not be high.

Commonly Asked Questions about GPA

For those who are new to understanding what GPA is, there are undoubtedly many questions about this type of grading system. You can refer to some frequently asked questions that Mytour has compiled:

Is GPA Exam Required?

Of course not. Because GPA is the average cumulative score over each semester, each academic year, so there is no exam to obtain GPA points that you have to study and take tests to calculate the average score. Therefore, through each semester, each year, or academic level, GPA can be calculated. So, try your best on every test to improve your GPA score.

Does Low GPA Affect the Process of Applying for Study Abroad or Scholarships?

In Vietnam, both high schools and universities require entrance exams, and with high scores, you can be awarded scholarships. International schools have similar requirements for GPA scores for admissions and scholarships. Therefore, if you aim to study abroad, strive to have a good GPA. Your chances of studying abroad will be higher with a high GPA score. However, you should also pay attention to other aspects of studying abroad or applying for scholarships, such as language certificates, extracurricular activities, etc.

Can You Study Abroad with a Low GPA but High SAT Score?

Even with a low GPA but a high SAT score, you still have the opportunity to study abroad. However, strive to improve your grades during your remaining study time. To help the admissions committee understand and accept this difference, you should include an explanation of the differences between GPA and SAT in your introduction letter.

Does Participation in Extracurricular Activities Help Increase GPA?

When applying for study abroad, participating in extracurricular activities can be a plus in your application. However, GPA and extracurricular activities are not directly related to each other.

Through this article, you must have understood what GPA is, how to convert GPA, and the GPA requirements in some countries. So if you have a goal or a dream of studying abroad or, even better, winning a scholarship, start working on it from today. Because every grade you earn during your study journey will contribute to your GPA in the future. Best wishes for successfully pursuing your study abroad dream!