How to Calculate College GPA with Retaken Courses
Most students know the basic GPA formula — but what happens when you retake a class? Does the old grade drop off? Here's how to calculate it yourself, regardless of your school's policy.
The standard GPA formula
GPA = Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Where Grade Points = Grade Point Value × Credit Hours.
| Letter Grade | Grade Point (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Example: basic semester GPA
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology 101 | 4 | B+ | 13.2 |
| Chemistry 101 | 4 | A- | 14.8 |
| English 101 | 3 | B | 9.0 |
| Math 101 | 4 | C+ | 9.2 |
| Total | 15 | 46.2 |
GPA = 46.2 ÷ 15 = 3.08
The retake problem: which grade counts?
When you retake a course, colleges handle it one of three ways:
Policy 1: Replace the old grade entirely
Some schools replace the old grade with the new one in the GPA calculation. The retake only counts once — the old grade is removed.
| Attempt | Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Math 101 | 4 | C- | 6.8 |
| 2 | Math 101 | 4 | B | 12.0 |
Result: only the B counts. The old C- is removed entirely. This is the most favorable policy — retaking a C- and earning a B adds 5.2 grade points to your GPA.
Policy 2: Average both attempts
Some schools average both grades. Both the C- and the B count toward your GPA.
GPA = (6.8 + 12.0) ÷ (4 + 4) = 18.8 ÷ 8 = 2.35
Result: the improvement is smaller because the old grade still drags you down.
Policy 3: Both grades count, both appear on transcript
Some schools include both grades in the GPA calculation AND keep both on your transcript. This is the harshest policy — a single retake only partially improves your GPA.
Does retaking a class help your GPA?
Almost always yes — but how much it helps depends on the policy:
| Original Grade | New Grade | Policy 1 Bump | Policy 2 Bump |
|---|---|---|---|
| C- (1.7) | B (3.0) | +1.3 | +0.65 |
| D (1.0) | B+ (3.3) | +2.3 | +1.15 |
| F (0.0) | B (3.0) | +3.0 | +1.5 |
Strategic retake advice
- Check your school's policy first. A retake that replaces the old grade is worth much more than one that averages.
- Retake early. GPA matters for grad school and job applications — don't wait until senior year.
- Know the limits. Some schools only allow retakes once or twice.
- Check financial aid impact. Retaking courses can affect Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for federal aid.
Quick calculator
Don't want to do this by hand? Use the GPA Calculator — enter your courses and grades, and it calculates your semester GPA in one second.