AMCAS GPA Calculator
Instantly calculate your BCPM Science GPA and Cumulative GPA for your medical school application. This tool uses the official AMCAS grade conversion scale.
| Course Name (Optional) | Credit Hours | Grade | BCPM? |
|---|
What is the AMCAS GPA?
The AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service) GPA is a standardized grade point average that medical schools use to evaluate applicants on a level playing field. AMCAS calculates two primary GPAs: a cumulative GPA that includes all your undergraduate coursework, and a separate science GPA, known as the BCPM GPA. This standardization is crucial because universities across the country have different grading scales. The AMCAS gpa calculator standardizes everything.
The BCPM GPA specifically includes courses classified as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. This metric is heavily weighted by admissions committees as it provides a direct measure of an applicant's aptitude in the core scientific disciplines fundamental to medicine. It's important to note that AMCAS has its own specific rules for grade conversion and course classification, which can differ from your home institution's policies. For instance, all course attempts are included in the calculation, even if your university has a grade replacement policy.
AMCAS GPA Formula and Explanation
The formula for calculating both the BCPM and cumulative GPA is the same, the only difference is which courses are included in the calculation. The GPA is the sum of all "Quality Points" divided by the sum of all "Credit Hours."
GPA = Σ (Quality Points) / Σ (Credit Hours)
Where, Quality Points for each course are calculated as:
Quality Points = (Credit Hours for Course) × (AMCAS Grade Point Value)
AMCAS converts standard letter grades into a 4.0 scale. Our amcas gpa calculator uses this official conversion. Here is the standard conversion table used by AMCAS:
| Letter Grade | AMCAS Grade Point Value |
|---|---|
| A/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 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
For more details on how your specific grades convert, you may want to consult the official AMCAS Grade Conversion Guide.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Mixed Science and Arts Semester
A student takes the following courses in a semester:
- General Chemistry I (4 credits) – Grade: A-
- Calculus I (4 credits) – Grade: B+
- English Literature (3 credits) – Grade: A
- Introduction to Sociology (3 credits) – Grade: B
Calculation:
- BCPM Courses: Chemistry (A- = 3.7) and Calculus (B+ = 3.3).
BCPM Quality Points: (4 * 3.7) + (4 * 3.3) = 14.8 + 13.2 = 28.0
BCPM Credit Hours: 4 + 4 = 8
BCPM GPA: 28.0 / 8 = 3.50 - Cumulative Courses: All four courses.
Total Quality Points: 28.0 (from BCPM) + (3 * 4.0 for English) + (3 * 3.0 for Sociology) = 28.0 + 12.0 + 9.0 = 49.0
Total Credit Hours: 8 + 3 + 3 = 14
Cumulative GPA: 49.0 / 14 = 3.50
Example 2: Handling a Retaken Course
AMCAS rules state that all attempts of a course are included. Imagine a student took Organic Chemistry (4 credits) and got a C, then retook it and earned an A.
- Attempt 1: Organic Chemistry (4 credits) – Grade: C
- Attempt 2: Organic Chemistry (4 credits) – Grade: A
Calculation for BCPM GPA:
- AMCAS includes both grades in the calculation.
Quality Points: (4 * 2.0 for the C) + (4 * 4.0 for the A) = 8.0 + 16.0 = 24.0
Credit Hours: 4 + 4 = 8
Effective GPA for these two courses: 24.0 / 8 = 3.00
This is a critical distinction and why a dedicated amcas gpa calculator is so valuable. For questions on what counts as BCPM, see the BCPM course classification guidelines.
How to Use This AMCAS GPA Calculator
- Add Courses: The calculator starts with a few rows. Click the "Add Another Course" button to add as many courses as you need.
- Enter Credit Hours: For each course, enter the number of credit hours. Ensure this is a numeric value.
- Select Grade: Use the dropdown menu to select the letter grade you received for that course. The list includes all standard grades used by AMCAS.
- Mark BCPM Courses: Check the "BCPM?" box if the course falls under Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematics. This is crucial for an accurate science GPA.
- Calculate: Once all your courses are entered, click the "Calculate My GPA" button.
- Review Results: The calculator will display your BCPM GPA and your Cumulative GPA, along with the total credit hours for each. A bar chart will also provide a visual comparison.
Key Factors That Affect Your AMCAS GPA
- Course Classification: Correctly classifying courses as BCPM or non-BCPM is essential. Misclassifying a course can incorrectly inflate or deflate your science GPA. When in doubt, consult the official AMCAS course classification guide.
- Plus/Minus Grades: Unlike some universities, AMCAS gives distinct weight to plus (+) and minus (-) grades (e.g., a B+ is 3.3, but a B is 3.0). This can significantly impact your final GPA.
- Repeated Courses: AMCAS includes every attempt of a repeated course in its calculation. Your university may replace the grade, but AMCAS will average them, making it important to perform well from the start.
- Withdrawals: A simple withdrawal (W) usually doesn't affect your GPA. However, a withdrawal-failing (WF) or similar punitive withdrawal is treated as an F (0.0 points) by AMCAS.
- Study Abroad & Transfer Credits: Grades from accredited U.S. and Canadian institutions, including study abroad programs, must be reported and will be included in your AMCAS GPA.
- Credit Hours System: AMCAS operates on a semester-hour system. If your school uses quarter hours or another system, you must convert them correctly. Our calculator assumes semester hours, so be sure to use our quarter to semester hour converter first if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What counts as a BCPM course?
BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics. Any course where the primary content (over 60%) falls into these categories should be classified as BCPM. This includes subjects like biostatistics, biochemistry, and neuroscience. For a definitive list, see the course classification guide.
How are Pass/Fail grades handled?
Standard Pass/Fail grades are not included in the AMCAS GPA calculation. They do not contribute quality points or credit hours to the main GPA, though they are noted on your application.
Does AMCAS round GPAs?
No, AMCAS does not round GPAs. The values are truncated at two decimal places. This calculator does the same to provide an accurate estimate.
What about grades from a post-baccalaureate program?
Grades from undergraduate post-bacc programs are factored into your undergraduate cumulative and BCPM GPAs. Grades from formal graduate programs (e.g., a Master's degree) are calculated separately and are not included in the undergraduate GPA.
Are high school or AP credits included?
No, high school grades are not included. AP credits that appear on your college transcript are noted but are typically treated as Pass credits and do not factor into your AMCAS GPA calculation.
What if I retook a course for a better grade?
AMCAS requires you to report all attempts of a course. Both the original grade and the retake grade will be included in the GPA calculation, each weighted by its respective credit hours.
Why is my AMCAS GPA different from my school's GPA?
Discrepancies often arise from different grade point conversions (especially for +/- grades), policies on repeated courses, or how withdrawals are treated. The AMCAS system is designed to standardize these variations. The best way to know for sure is to use a reliable amcas gpa calculator. See our guide on understanding your medical school GPA.
Where can I find the official AMCAS conversion rules?
The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) provides a comprehensive guide on their website. You can find the official AMCAS grading policies here.