I'm transferring to a school with a US curriculum (taking the IBDP) from a Philippine school w/ a percent average grading system. How do I get my GPA?
Converting grades from a percentage-based system to a GPA can be challenging, especially when transitioning from a Philippine school to a US curriculum school that follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Here's a step-by-step guide to help you understand and calculate your GPA:
Understanding the Grading Systems
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Philippine Percentage System: In the Philippines, grades are often based on a percentage scale, where 90% and above is typically considered excellent, and 75% is the passing mark.
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US GPA System: The US uses a GPA scale, typically ranging from 0.0 to 4.0, where 4.0 is the highest.
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IB Grading System: The IBDP uses a scale from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest.
Converting Philippine Grades to US GPA
To convert your Philippine percentage grades to a US GPA, you can use a general conversion table. However, note that this conversion is not standardized and may vary between institutions.
| Percentage Range | US GPA Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 90-100% | 4.0 |
| 85-89% | 3.7 |
| 80-84% | 3.3 |
| 75-79% | 3.0 |
| 70-74% | 2.7 |
| 65-69% | 2.3 |
| Below 65% | Below 2.0 |
Calculating GPA
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Convert Each Grade: Use the conversion table above to convert each of your percentage grades to a GPA equivalent.
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Calculate the Average: Add up all the converted GPA values and divide by the number of courses to get your overall GPA.
Example
If you have grades of 90%, 85%, 80%, and 75% in four subjects:
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Convert each grade:
- 90% = 4.0 GPA
- 85% = 3.7 GPA
- 80% = 3.3 GPA
- 75% = 3.0 GPA
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Calculate the average:
- Sum of GPAs = 4.0 + 3.7 + 3.3 + 3.0 = 14.0
- Number of courses = 4
- GPA = 14.0 / 4 = 3.5
Transitioning to IBDP
When transitioning to the IBDP, you won't directly convert your Philippine grades to IB scores. Instead, you will start taking IB courses, which are graded on a 1-7 scale. You can use the IB scores to calculate a GPA using the conversion tables provided by universities or online tools135.
Important Considerations
- Consult the School: It's crucial to consult with your new school's admissions or guidance office to understand their specific GPA calculation policies.
- Use Online Tools: Utilize online GPA calculators designed for IB or percentage-to-GPA conversions to get an approximate GPA15.
By following these steps and consulting with your school, you can effectively manage the transition and understand your academic standing in the US curriculum system.