How this calculator works
GWA multiplies each course grade by the course units, adds the products and divides by the total units. Because the Philippine scale is inverted, a lower number is better: 1.00 is excellent, 3.00 is usually the minimum passing grade, 4.00 is a conditional grade at some universities and 5.00 is a failure. Units matter in the same way credits do elsewhere, so a four-unit course moves the average more than a one-unit course. Failed courses normally still contribute to the GWA at their full unit weight.
Formula
GWA = sum(grade x units) / total units. Cumulative GWA = (weighted grade points + previous GWA x previous units) / (current units + previous units). The grade scale is 1.00 to 5.00, with 1.00 the highest and 5.00 a failure.
Worked example
Courses of 1.50 over 3 units, 1.75 over 3 units, 2.00 over 4 units and 1.25 over 3 units give 4.5, 5.25, 8.0 and 3.75 weighted points, a total of 21.5 over 13 units. The GWA is 1.654. With a previous GWA of 1.60 over 30 units, the cumulative GWA is (21.5 + 1.60 x 30) / (13 + 30) = (21.5 + 48) / 43 = 1.616.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a lower GWA better?
Yes. The Philippine scale gives 1.00 to the highest performance and 5.00 to a failure, so a GWA of 1.50 is better than 2.00. This is the opposite direction from the 4.0 GPA scale used in the United States and Canada.
Does a failed course still count in the GWA?
Usually yes. A 5.00 carries its full units into the weighted average, which is why one failure can pull the GWA down sharply. Some schools replace the grade after a retake and others average the attempts; follow the registrar policy for the official figure.
What does a 4.00 mean?
At several universities, 4.00 is a conditional grade that can be removed by passing a re-examination within a set period. If it is not removed, it becomes 5.00. The exact rule varies, so check the student handbook.
What GWA is needed for Latin honours?
A common pattern is 1.00 to 1.25 for summa cum laude, 1.26 to 1.50 for magna cum laude and 1.51 to 1.75 for cum laude, but each institution sets its own cut-offs and may also require no failing grade. Use the figure for your own school.