The General Weighted Average (GWA) is a numerical representation of a student’s overall academic performance in college. It is an essential metric used by educational institutions to evaluate a student’s grades across all subjects. Computing your GWA helps you track your progress, qualify for honors, and meet scholarship or transfer requirements. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to compute your GWA accurately.

  1. Understand the Grading System

Before computing your GWA, familiarize yourself with your school’s grading system. Most colleges use a numerical scale (e.g., 1.0 to 5.0), where:

  • 1.0 is the highest (excellent)
  • 3.0 or 5.0 is the lowest (failing)

Some universities may use letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) with corresponding numerical equivalents. Check your school’s handbook for the correct grade equivalents.

  1. Gather Your Grades

Collect your final grades for all subjects in a given semester or academic year. Ensure that you have the correct numerical values for each course.

Example:

  • Mathematics: 1.5
  • English: 1.75
  • Science: 2.0
  • History: 1.25

  1. Determine the Credit Units per Subject

Each subject has a corresponding credit unit (or credit hours) indicating its weight in the computation. Typically, major subjects have more credits than minor ones.

Example:

  • Mathematics (3 units)
  • English (3 units)
  • Science (4 units)
  • History (3 units)

  1. Multiply Each Grade by Its Credit Units

Compute the weighted grade for each subject by multiplying the grade by its credit units.

Example:

  • Mathematics: 1.5 × 3 = 4.5
  • English: 1.75 × 3 = 5.25
  • Science: 2.0 × 4 = 8.0
  • History: 1.25 × 3 = 3.75

  1. Compute the Total Weighted Grades and Total Credit Units

Add all the weighted grades and the total credit units separately.

Total Weighted Grades:
4.5 (Math) + 5.25 (English) + 8.0 (Science) + 3.75 (History) = 21.5

Total Credit Units:
3 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 13 units

  1. Divide the Total Weighted Grades by the Total Credit Units

The GWA is calculated by dividing the sum of weighted grades by the total credit units.

Formula:

GWA=Total Weighted GradesTotal Credit UnitsGWA=Total Credit UnitsTotal Weighted Grades​

Example:

GWA=21.513≈1.65GWA=1321.5​≈1.65

  1. Interpret Your GWA

Once computed, compare your GWA with your school’s grading scale to assess your performance.

  • 1.00 – 1.50: Excellent (Dean’s List)
  • 1.51 – 2.00: Very Good
  • 2.01 – 3.00: Satisfactory
  • 3.01 and above: Needs Improvement or Failing

  1. Special Considerations

  • Incomplete or Failed Grades: Some schools exclude failed subjects from GWA computation if retaken, while others include them. Check your institution’s policy.
  • Non-Academic Courses: Physical Education (PE) or National Service Training Program (NSTP) may or may not be included in GWA computation.
  • Transmuted Grades: Some universities use a different grading system for specific programs (e.g., Law or Medicine).

  1. Use Online GWA Calculators

If manual computation is tedious, many online GWA calculators can automate the process. Enter your grades and credit units, and the tool will instantly calculate your GWA.

  1. Importance of Maintaining a High GWA

A good GWA is crucial for:

  • Academic Honors (Latin honors: Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude)
  • Scholarships and Grants
  • Graduate School Applications
  • Job Applications (Some employers consider academic performance)

Conclusion

Computing your GWA is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps: gather your grades, multiply them by their credit units, sum the weighted grades, and divide by the total credits. Monitoring your GWA helps you stay on track academically and achieve your long-term educational goals. Always refer to your school’s specific guidelines for accurate computation.