Understanding the UIUC Grading System and GPA Calculation
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), a leading public research university, employs a 4.0 grading system with plus (+) and minus (−) grades. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the UIUC grading system and how Grade Point Averages (GPAs) are calculated.
UIUC Grading Symbols and Their Meanings
UIUC transcripts may display various grades and symbols, some of which do not factor into GPA calculations. Here's a breakdown of common symbols:
- A, B, C, D, F: Standard letter grades that contribute to the GPA.
- ABS (Absent from Final): Prior to Fall 2025, this indicated absence from the final exam without an acceptable excuse and counted as a failing grade. It did not grant degree credit. For internal accounting purposes, an ABS grade may be assigned to indicate that the student was absent from a final examination without an acceptable excuse; an ABS counts as a failing grade.
- AU (Audit): Indicates attendance as a visitor only. It does not count toward the student’s GPA or earned hours.
- BR (By Rule): Beginning in Fall 2004, this tracks students who have not complied with time limitations for incomplete or deferred grades. A grade comment of BR on SHATCKS does not print on a transcript.
- CR (Credit): Used only in courses taken for credit/no credit. Instructors report the usual letter grades. Prior to Fall 2022, a grade of C- or better was automatically converted to CR. As of Fall 2022, a grade of D- or better is required to be converted to CR.
- DFR (Deferred): Used temporarily in thesis, research, and special-problems courses extending over more than one semester. This applies to graduate students preparing for theses and undergraduate students satisfying honors graduation requirements, as well as other approved courses spanning multiple semesters. DFR is used in a course graded on the basis of more than one semester's work.
- FR (F by Rule): This was the "F by rule" grade code for courses before Fall 2004.
- H (Honors): Signifies honors credit, as certified by the department offering the course.
- HON (Honors): Used exclusively for Carle Illinois College of Medicine core clerkship courses, indicating completion with honors.
- I (Incomplete): Signifies an approved extension of time to complete the final examination or other course requirements. Approved extension of time to complete the final examination or other requirements of the course.
- NC (No Credit): Used only in courses taken under the credit/no credit grading option. Instructors report the usual letter grades. Prior to Fall 2022, a grade of D+ or lower or a grade of ABS was automatically converted to NC. As of Fall 2022, grades of F will automatically convert to NC. (Between Fall 2022 and Summer 2025, ABS grades will convert to NC.)
- NP (No Pass): Used for Graduate, Law, and Undergraduate students during global health emergency. No credit is earned for courses with this grade designation.
- NR (Not Reported): Automatically recorded when the instructor has not submitted the grade.
- NV (Not Valid): Automatically recorded when the grade submitted by the instructor is not valid for the student’s grade mode.
- NZ (No Pass COVID): No Pass. Used for Graduate and Undergraduate students during global health emergency.
- PD (Pass with Distinction): Used for Law students only during global health emergency.
- PP (Pass): Used for Graduate, Law, and Undergraduate students during global health emergency. Credit is earned for courses with this grade designation.
- PS (Pass): Used for test-based credit. As of Fall 2023 a minimum grade of “C” is required. Prior to Fall 2023, a minimum grade of “C-“ was required.
- PZ (Pass COVID): Pass. A minimum grade of D- is required for credit.
Grades marked with an asterisk do not count toward the student’s GPA or earned hours.
GPA Calculation at UIUC
UIUC employs a uniform method for calculating undergraduate GPAs across all undergraduate colleges on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The all-university GPA is based on all courses completed at this campus, including military science courses. This method of computation is used to determine academic warning and drop status, transfers between colleges on this campus, and eligibility to transfer into the university. Undergraduate GPAs are calculated based on courses attempted that carry credit and have grades and credits assigned under the campus grading system. UIUC transcripts can show grades and symbols that do not carry grade points.
To calculate your GPA, you'll need to know the grade points associated with each letter grade:
Read also: The UGL: A Complete History
- A+ = 4.0
- A = 4.0
- A- = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.0
- B- = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.0
- C- = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.0
- D- = 0.67
- F = 0.0
Steps for Calculating Your GPA:
- Determine the grade points for each course: Multiply the grade points for each letter grade by the number of credit hours for that course.
- Sum the grade points: Add up the grade points for all courses.
- Sum the credit hours: Add up the credit hours for all courses.
- Divide the total grade points by the total credit hours: This will give you your GPA.
Example:
Let's say a student takes three courses:
- Course 1: 3 credit hours, grade of A (4.0 grade points)
- Course 2: 4 credit hours, grade of B+ (3.33 grade points)
- Course 3: 3 credit hours, grade of C (2.0 grade points)
- Grade points for each course:
- Course 1: 3 credits * 4.0 = 12.0
- Course 2: 4 credits * 3.33 = 13.32
- Course 3: 3 credits * 2.0 = 6.0
- Sum of grade points: 12.0 + 13.32 + 6.0 = 31.32
- Sum of credit hours: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
- GPA: 31.32 / 10 = 3.132
Therefore, the student's GPA is 3.132.
Important Considerations
- Midterm Grades: By university policy, instructors submit grades for all freshmen at the end of the first eight weeks (midterm) of each semester. These grades are not used in calculating the GPA; rather, they are intended to help students evaluate their progress in each course and to assist college and departmental advisors in counseling students about their academic program. Be sure to consult instructors directly for any questions regarding student progress at midterm in each course.
- Grade Appeals: Students who have questions regarding their semester grade in a course should confer directly with the instructor. Students who also believe the grade awarded is demonstrably improper by reason of capricious or arbitrary grading should confer directly with the instructor of the course or, if the instructor is unavailable, with the head of the department. Students who are unable through such discussion to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution may file a written appeal with the Capricious Grading Committee of the department offering the course. Prompt attention to these concerns is important. The appeal must be filed within six working weeks after the start of the next semester.
- Degree Audit: Although the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences makes every effort to verify the accuracy of the student-generated degree audit report, it is an advisory tool only. It is not the official audit of whether you have or have not met graduation requirements. If there are any inconsistencies in the audit or if you have questions regarding your academic progress, contact an admissions/records officer immediately. Ultimately, the responsibility for the preparation of a sound program, both academically and procedurally, lies with you.
- Online GPA Calculators: Several online GPA calculators are available, including custom calculators specifically designed for UIUC. These calculators can simplify the GPA calculation process.
Tools and Resources
UIUC provides resources to help students understand their academic standing:
- UI-Integrate Student Self Service: Semester grade reports are posted here.
- Academic Advisors: Discuss your grade reports with academic advisors while planning your degree program.
Online GPA Calculators
Several online GPA calculators are available to assist students in calculating their GPA. These calculators often allow for the input of course credits and grades, automatically converting letter grades to numerical values based on the UIUC's 4.00 GPA scale. Some calculators also offer features such as saving calculated results and generating permanent short URLs for sharing.
It's important to note that while these calculators can be helpful for personal use in evaluating and planning academic standing, they are not official University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign GPA calculators.
Read also: Internship Program Overview
Other Calculators
Beyond basic GPA calculation, UIUC students may find these calculators useful:
- Semester GPA Calculator: Computes your GPA for a single semester.
- Cumulative GPA Calculator: Computes your cumulative GPA, including current grades, if you know your current GPA and total number of credits.
- GPA Goal Calculator: Determines the GPA you need to achieve in future semesters to reach a specific GPA goal, requiring your current GPA and completed credits.
- Course Repeat Calculator: Calculates the effect of retaking a course, replacing the original grade. This requires your current GPA, completed credits, and the credits and grades for the original and repeated courses.
Read also: UIUC Summer Fees Explained
tags: #uiuc #grading #scale #GPA #calculation
