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McMaster GPA Calculator (12-Point Scale)
McMaster University grades on a 12-point scale: an A+ is worth 12 grade points and an F is worth 0. Enter each course as a final percentage (for example 84) or as a letter (for example A−), plus its units. The calculator looks up the grade points, weights them by units and gives your GPA out of 12. It also gives the 4.0-scale value that McMaster’s Office of the Registrar lists beside each letter.
The method follows the Registrar’s description. Course points are the course units multiplied by the grade point value, so a B+ in a 3-unit course gives 3 × 9 = 27 points. Your GPA is the total course points divided by the total units. A term GPA uses the courses from one term, and a cumulative GPA uses all of them.
Default example: five 3-unit courses (84%, 78%, A−, 91%, 71%) give 10, 9, 10, 12 and 7 grade points. That is 144 course points over 15 units, so the GPA is 9.60. On the 4.0 column of the same table the result is 3.48. Note that McMaster’s table maps an A to 3.9, not 4.0, on that column.
Result and step-by-step working
out of 12 · 4.0-scale equivalent 3.48 · 15 units
| Course | Percent | Letter | Points | 4.0 equiv. | Units | Points × units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chem 1A03 | 84% | A− | 10 | 3.7 | 3 | 30 |
| Math 1ZA3 | 78% | B+ | 9 | 3.3 | 3 | 27 |
| Psych 1X03 | — | A− | 10 | 3.7 | 3 | 30 |
| Bio 1A03 | 91% | A+ | 12 | 4.0 | 3 | 36 |
| Econ 1B03 | 71% | B− | 7 | 2.7 | 3 | 21 |
- Convert each gradeMcMaster table: 90–100 = A+ (12), 85–89 = A (11), 80–84 = A− (10), 77–79 = B+ (9), 73–76 = B (8), 70–72 = B− (7), 67–69 = C+ (6), 63–66 = C (5), 60–62 = C− (4), 57–59 = D+ (3), 53–56 = D (2), 50–52 = D− (1), 0–49 = F (0). The same table gives each letter a 4.0-scale value (A+ 4.0, A 3.9, A− 3.7 … D− 0.7).
- Weight by unitsAdd up points × units = 144 over 15 units.
- Divide144 ÷ 15 = 9.60. On the 4.0 column of the same table: 52.2 ÷ 15 = 3.48.
- Average percentage (courses entered as numbers)Credit-weighted average of the 12 units entered as percentages = 81.00%. Letter-only courses are left out of this figure because a letter covers a range of marks.
McMaster grading scale
| Letter | Percent | Grade points (12) | 4.0 scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90–100 | 12 | 4.0 |
| A | 85–89 | 11 | 3.9 |
| A− | 80–84 | 10 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 77–79 | 9 | 3.3 |
| B | 73–76 | 8 | 3.0 |
| B− | 70–72 | 7 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 67–69 | 6 | 2.3 |
| C | 63–66 | 5 | 2.0 |
| C− | 60–62 | 4 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 57–59 | 3 | 1.3 |
| D | 53–56 | 2 | 1.0 |
| D− | 50–52 | 1 | 0.7 |
| F | 0–49 | 0 | 0 |
Source: McMaster University Office of the Registrar, Grades (undergraduate grading system table).
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good GPA at McMaster?
- On the 12-point scale a 9 is a B+ average (77–79%) and a 10 is an A− average (80–84%). Program and graduate-school cut-offs vary, so check the specific requirement you are aiming for.
- How do I convert my McMaster GPA to 4.0?
- Convert each course with the 4.0 column of McMaster’s own table (A+ 4.0, A 3.9, A− 3.7, B+ 3.3 …) and weight by units. This calculator shows that figure next to the 12-point GPA. Application services such as OMSAS use their own conversion tables, so use the OMSAS calculator for medical school applications.
- Do units change the GPA?
- Yes. A 6-unit course counts twice as much as a 3-unit course because course points are units × grade points.
- Can I enter a letter instead of a percentage?
- Yes. Type the letter (A+, A, A−, B+ …). The GPA uses the letter’s grade points. Letter-only courses are left out of the average-percentage line because a letter covers a range of marks.
Last reviewed: October 9, 2026. Calculations run in your browser; nothing you enter is sent anywhere.