Most U.S. schools use some version of the 4.0 scale, but the exact details vary more than students expect — whether A+ exists and what it’s worth, whether plus/minus grading applies to every course, and how repeated courses factor in all differ by institution. This page breaks down the real ways schools diverge, with verified examples, so you know what to check for at your own school.
Calculate My GPAReal Examples of How Scales Differ
Some schools skip A+ and other grades entirely
Penn State’s undergraduate grading scale uses A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, D, and F — no A+, and no C- or D+/D-. That’s a genuinely simpler scale than the fuller plus/minus scale used elsewhere, and it means a straight A is the ceiling, with no A+ boost possible.
Some schools reserve plus/minus grading for graduate courses only
At the University of Texas at Austin, plus/minus grading is used specifically for graduate-level courses. Undergraduate grading doesn’t necessarily follow the same convention, which matters if you’re taking a mix of undergraduate and graduate coursework.
Some schools include A+ in the scale but cap cumulative GPA at 4.0
Arizona State University’s plus/minus scale technically includes an A+ worth 4.33 grade points, but the school explicitly caps cumulative GPA at 4.00 regardless. So an A+ shows on your record, but it doesn’t push your overall GPA above the standard ceiling.
What to Check at Your Own School
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Does your school use plus/minus grading? | Changes whether a B+ is worth more than a straight B, and by how much |
| Does an A+ exist, and is it capped at 4.0? | Some schools cap it, some go up to 4.33 — this affects whether a perfect semester can exceed 4.0 |
| Does plus/minus apply to all courses, or only certain levels? | Some schools apply it differently to undergraduate versus graduate coursework |
| What’s your school’s repeat-course policy? | Grade replacement versus grade averaging can shift your GPA by a full point or more — see our retaking a class guide |
Your school’s registrar website or academic catalog is the authoritative source for your specific grading scale — general guides like this one describe common patterns, not universal rules.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do all universities use the same GPA scale?
No. While most use some version of the 0.0 to 4.0 scale, schools differ on whether they use plus/minus grading, whether an A+ exists and what it is worth, and how repeated courses factor into GPA. Always check your own school’s registrar documentation for the exact scale.
Is an A+ always worth more than a straight A?
Not necessarily. Some schools include an A+ worth up to 4.33 grade points, others cap cumulative GPA at 4.00 even if A+ technically appears on the scale, and some schools do not offer an A+ grade at all. Check your specific school’s policy.
Does plus/minus grading apply to all classes at every school?
Not always. Some schools apply plus/minus grading only to certain course levels, such as graduate courses, while undergraduate grading may follow a different convention. Check your school’s specific policy.
Where can I find my school’s exact GPA scale?
Your school’s registrar website or academic catalog is the authoritative source. These typically publish the exact grade point values and any scale variations by course level or program.
Why does my GPA calculation not match what my school shows?
This is usually explained by a specific policy difference rather than a math error. See our guide on why a GPA calculator might not match an official transcript for the most common reasons.
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