How to Improve Your GPA: Strategies for High School and College Students

For high school and college students alike, a Grade Point Average (GPA) is often seen as a key indicator of academic performance, diligence, and readiness for future academic or professional pursuits. Whether you're aiming for college admissions, scholarships, graduate school, or a competitive job market, understanding how to improve your GPA can significantly impact your opportunities. While a less-than-ideal GPA can be a source of stress, it's important to remember that it's not the end of the world. With the right strategies and dedicated effort, you can take proactive steps to raise your GPA and enhance your academic profile.

Understanding the Significance of GPA

A high GPA indicates to potential employers and schools that you are likely a hard worker committed and dedicated to learning, even if you lack on-the-job experience. What’s considered a high GPA may vary. For example, the University of Missouri reported its average undergraduate GPA for the Spring 2024 term as 3.321. Meanwhile, the class of 2023 at Harvard reported an average GPA of 3.95. The median also varies depending on the type of undergraduate program. Many factors can contribute to a low GPA, including difficulty transitioning from high school to college life, indecisiveness in deciding on a major, or choosing a more difficult field. Some jobs or graduate schools may have a minimum requirement for your GPA. Knowing how to address a low GPA can help you move on to the next academic or career stage.

Strategies for High School Students

If you’re in high school, your GPA matters a lot more than you might think. College admissions teams and scholarship committees often use your Grade Point Average to evaluate academic performance, consistency, and college readiness. The good news? You can raise your GPA, whether you’re in your first year of high school or rebounding from a rough few semesters. But despite what you may have heard from your guidance counselor, parents, or classmates, improving your GPA isn’t just about working harder; it’s about working smarter.

Develop Effective Study Habits

The foundation of academic success lies in developing consistent, effective study habits. To develop good study habits, students should establish a consistent daily or weekly schedule.

Understand GPA Calculation

Knowing how your GPA is calculated can empower you to make smarter academic decisions. A traditional unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale, assigning equal value to all classes regardless of difficulty. Conversely, a weighted GPA gives extra credit to more challenging coursework, like AP, IB, or honors classes, often using a 5.0 scale. While weighted courses can accelerate GPA growth, they’re only beneficial if a student can perform well in them.

Read also: Creating a Strong Student Resume

Set SMART Goals

SMART goals are particularly helpful for breaking down big academic challenges, like raising a low GPA.

Engage Actively in Class

In fact, engaged students are much more likely to succeed and build strong relationships with their teachers, which can create a more supportive academic environment. Sitting in the back of the classroom and passive learning is a failing fad of the past. Go to class: Even if attendance is not mandatory, showing up at class helps you understand the coursework better by participating with classmates and the instructor, learning the course materials in person, asking questions for clarification, and completing in-class assignments.

Strategic Scheduling

Strategic scheduling is one of the most overlooked elements of GPA improvement. While taking rigorous classes can boost a weighted GPA, enrolling in too many challenging courses to succeed may hurt your overall average. It’s also important to consider workload balance. A mix of advanced and standard courses can prevent burnout while still offering GPA-boosting opportunities.

Master Test-Taking Strategies

Even the best-prepared students can struggle with exams if they haven’t developed strong test-taking strategies. High-stakes exams often weigh heavily on grades and GPAs, so it’s important to approach them with both confidence and technique. One effective method is to complete an initial pass through the test by answering all the questions you know first, then return to tackle the more difficult ones.

Evaluate Grades and Identify Strengths and Weaknesses

If you’re in 11th grade, you might feel a little more pressed for time, and if you’re a senior you might feel even more so. While evaluating your grades, try to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Are your grades on an upward trend or have they gone down steadily since you started high school? Are you constantly getting worse grades in a particular subject? Do you tend to do better in a particular subject?

Consider Adjusting Course Levels

We’re not suggesting that you just “go for the easy A.” However, if you’ve been consistently struggling in the same subject in a way that has been negatively affecting your GPA, it might be time to think about switching down a level. Again, you should think realistically about what your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of your grades and your GPA.

Take Advantage of Weighted Courses

At some schools, certain courses will be worth more points than others in the calculation of your GPA. For example, an A in some honors courses will be worth a 5.0 as opposed to a 4.0. Are you taking any honors courses? If so, are you doing well in them? You might want to think about taking some 5.0-weighted courses in order to raise your GPA. Taking these high-level courses may end up being advantageous to you, because even if you don’t do as well in them, they will be worth more to your GPA. Keep in mind, though, that honors courses will often be more challenging and might require more of a time commitment. Be sure to think about your schedule and other responsibilities or obligations that might lessen your ability to take on a heavier course load.

Strategic Course Selection

Some schools will offer a free period, study period, or early dismissal for seniors. Think seriously about the subjects you enjoy and do well in, and try to take one of these courses.

Utilize Available Resources

It can be really overwhelming to not be in your ideal academic standing, and many students often feel as though they’re the only ones struggling and can’t do anything about it. However, this isn’t the case! First, see what resources your school already has in place. Take advantage of any tutoring programs or clubs that utilize your instructors. If your teachers don’t already have these sessions officially, you can always ask them to set aside time-usually, they’re more than willing to help you out. There is also a wealth of information online-for free!

Focus on Standardized Tests

For senior year, this will most likely be your test scores-you might want to try retaking the ACT or SAT in the fall of your senior year. If you’ve already taken your ACT/SAT, then it’s time to look into retaking the test to improve your scores. The idea of retaking might seem daunting, but it’s a common practice that could yield significant improvements in your score. With this experience, you can then refine your test-taking strategies and deepen your content knowledge for subsequent attempts. As you prepare for these exams, practice tests and prep services can prove invaluable.

Read also: Creating a Strong Brag Sheet

Build a Robust Extracurricular Profile

While your GPA is definitely an important factor in admissions, so is a robust extracurricular profile. Extracurricular activities (ECs) demonstrate your passions, interests, and commitments outside of academics. They provide colleges with insight into your character and potential for engagement beyond the classroom. Tier 1 includes outstanding achievements, such as qualifying for the Olympics or winning a national award. Tier 2 activities are those at a state or regional level, like being the captain of a state-champion team or an All-State musician. Tier 3 activities are those at a local level, such as being a high school club president or a member of the school band. Tier 4 activities are those with casual involvement, like being a member of a club or participating in community service.

Craft a Compelling College Application Essay

The Common Application personal statement is a critical aspect of your college application. Understanding the essay prompt and its underlying meaning is the key to writing an engaging piece. Crafting your essay as a narrative rather than a recitation of facts can make it more memorable. The heart of your essay lies in reflection. Delve into how your experiences have molded you and the lessons they have taught you. That being said, as crucial as content is, don’t disregard the importance of polished grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. Your first draft is just that-a first attempt.

Understand the Academic Index

Selective colleges use a metric called the Academic Index (AI) to represent the strength of an applicant’s GPA and test scores. Though you should focus on maximizing your AI, remember that colleges value more than just your grades-attributes like diversity, leadership, resilience, and extracurricular involvement carry weight too. Strive to apply to colleges that not only match your academic capabilities, but that also align with your personal growth goals.

Diversify College Applications

Diversification is essential to the college application process. The importance of having alternative plans cannot be overstated in the face of the unpredictable nature of college admissions. Your safety net may include a Plan B, a Plan C, and even a Plan D as you aim for the stars. Remember, an acceptance letter from a prestigious institution isn’t the only benchmark of success.

Use GPA Calculators and Planners

Raising your GPA isn’t guesswork; it’s math plus consistent execution. Start by entering your numbers in the GPA planner to set a target for this term. Note: If it says “not possible,” your term GPA must be higher than your target GPA. Raising your GPA isn’t guesswork; it’s math plus consistent execution. Start by entering your numbers in the GPA planner to set a target for this term. Open your Raise GPA calculator and enter your current GPA, credits completed, and credits remaining. Turn the goal into something concrete like 3.10 to 3.35 in two terms with 30 credits left. Save the term GPA and the grade mix the calculator gives you.

Strategies for College Students

Grade Forgiveness

Some colleges offer grade forgiveness, which allows you to retake the course you didn’t do well in, and the new grade replaces the original one when calculating your GPA. Each school has a different policy, including limits on repeated classes, which courses you can retake, and what grades you can improve. Even if you passed a class but want to raise your final grade, some schools will not allow you to retake a class unless you failed it the first time. Check with your school to learn its policy on grade forgiveness to see if it is an option.

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

Another consideration is a post-baccalaureate program, which is an option for college graduates who aren’t looking to earn a second degree but want to earn credits for courses taken. This option allows you to prepare for further learning and allows you to improve your GPA. This program will not only help raise your GPA but is also a good avenue to pursue if you want to earn a graduate degree in a field different from your undergraduate degree. A post-baccalaureate degree can take up to two years, and many programs don’t offer financial aid.

Consistent Study Schedule

Allocate time to study each day: Instead of cramming at the last minute, studying every day allows you to understand the course materials better, allowing it to sink in and become familiar over time. This way, you'll be constantly prepared for tests or quizzes instead of waiting until the day before to cram for an assignment or exam. The more you review material, the more likely you will remember it. The best study habits include daily review, active recall (like flashcards), time-blocking study sessions, and regular self-assessments.

Seek Individual Help

Speak with your instructor individually: Talk to your professor one-on-one during their office hours to get insight into learning strategies or to address any concerns or confusion you may have. Your instructor may even be willing to give you an opportunity to earn extra credit.

Timely Assignment Completion

Complete assignments on time: Turn in each assignment when it is due, even if you aren’t sure if it's complete or correct. Some instructors grade your work just for submission, so this is a simple way to keep up your grade in the class.

Addressing a Low GPA After Graduation

If you are a recent college graduate with a less-than-stellar GPA, you can still find ways to make your resume and background appealing to potential employers or schools. While you cannot generally change your GPA after you graduate college, you can improve your cumulative GPA after graduation

Score Well on Standardized Tests

If you plan to attend graduate school, you can take the focus off of a low undergraduate GPA by scoring highly on standardized tests, such as the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Consider taking a prep course to give you an idea of what the exam includes. If you choose to continue learning after you have already become a member of the workforce, highlight any significant real-life experience. Do the same with any contributions you invest in your future, such as internships or volunteer work.

Earn a Certification

While a high GPA shows potential employees your commitment to learning and your knowledge in a specific field, it is not a deal breaker. Some organizations are looking for employees with more than good undergraduate grades. They also consider your ability to perform in a specific work environment. You can earn a certification or take short courses from a professional organization that will recognize and improve upon your knowledge and experience in that field.

Omit GPA from Resume

Because not all companies are interested in a candidate’s GPA, it is not always a requirement to put it on your resume. Some companies, such as Google, don’t even consider a candidate’s GPA and focus more on interpersonal skills, level of education, or experience. Instead, focus on achievements such as extracurricular activities, volunteering, and internships. Unless the hiring manager asks about your GPA during an in-person interview, you do not need to bring it up. Instead, use the opportunity to highlight your interpersonal skills and show your confidence. While a high GPA is an asset when you are a new graduate, once you’ve gained work experience, companies focus more on your job performance than your previous academics.

Additional Tips and Considerations

Target Realistic Improvements: It depends on credits. Use the calculator to get a term grade mix. I earned an F. Yes. If allowed, retake with grade replacement and target an A. Large prior credit totals dilute one term. With ~90 credits, a single 3.6 barely nudges cumulative. For small moves. They can raise high-school weighted GPA. Yes. Study to the weight. That target isn’t realistic on an unweighted scale. Only with many credits left and repeated 4.0 terms. Yes. College is usually unweighted (max 4.0).
Retake Courses Strategically: Retake if your policy replaces the old grade. A 4-credit D replaced by an A moves faster than a new 3-credit A.
Consider Pass/Fail Options: Pass/Fail can protect GPA from a low grade, but a Pass usually adds 0 points.
Withdraw if Necessary: Withdraw before the deadline if projected to C-/D/F and a W doesn’t harm aid or progress.
Address Specific Scenarios: If you have any grades C or below, I'd repeat them at your school as this will increase your GPA.
Online Course Options: Another option for you is ASU ULC. CS Fund.

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