Calculate Your GPA
It is essential for you to know how to calculate your quarter point-hour ratio (QPHR) and your cumulative point hour ratio (CPHR). In order to set academic goals, which help lead to success, it is important to understand how success is measured.
Ohio State, like most universities, is on the four-point scale:
- A is worth 4 points
- B is worth 3 points
- C is worth 2 points
- D is worth 1 point
- E is worth 0 points
Ohio State also has a plus and minus grading system to help make finer distinctions within the A, B, C, D, E scale.
A student's point-hour ratio is calculated by taking the total number of points earned and dividing it by the number of hours attempted for a grade. First, multiply the credit hour value of each course by the point value of the grade. For example, a five-hour course in which you earn a B (3.0) is worth 15 points. Second, total the points you have earned in all your courses. Finally, divide by the number of hours you have attempted for a letter grade. Example:
| Course | Hrs | Grade | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 110 | 05 | A- | (5 x 3.7) | 18.5 |
| Psych 100 | 05 | B+ | (5 x 3.3) | 16.5 |
| Math 148 | 04 | B | (4 x 3.0) | 12.0 |
| Survey 100 | 01 | A | (1 x 4.0) | 4.0 |
| Total | 15 | 51.0 |
This student's quarter point-hour ratio (QPHR) would be 3.40 (51 points divided by 15 hours attempted). The student's quarter point hour ratio and cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR) would be the same, given that this is the student's first quarter of enrollment at Ohio State.
After the subsequent quarter at Ohio State, you must calculate the cumulative point hour ratio (CPHR) by dividing total points earned by total hours attempted for a letter grade (not including S/U, PA/NP, EM, or K credit*). Using our previous example, consider the following grades as the student's second quarter at Ohio State:
| Course | Hrs | Grade | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History 151 | 05 | B | (5 x3.0) | 15.0 |
| Math 150 | 05 | C | (5 x 2.0) | 10.0 |
| Theatre 100 | 05 | B+ | (5 x 3.3) | 16.5 |
| EDU PAES 102 | 02 | A- | (2 x 3.7) | 8.1 |
| Total | 17 | 49.6 |
Remember, last quarter the student earned a 3.40. The QPHR for the second quarter would be a 2.91 (49.6 points divided by 17 hours equals 2.91). The student's cumulative point hour ratio (CPHR) would be found by dividing the total number of points earned (51.0 + 49.6 = 100.6) by the total number of hours attempted (15 + 17 = 32). The CPHR would then be 3.14.
By earning good grades and maintaining a cumulative point-hour ratio well above the minimum standard of 2.00 required for graduation, the student in our example is considered to be in academic "Good Standing."
