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Use our calculators to determine your GPA and the cost of your NOVA education.
NOVA's Grading Policies
Your GPA is determined by dividing the total number of points earned (as determined by the awarded letter grade) by the total number of credits attempted. Courses where no grade points are earned are not included in credits attempted.
| Grade | Meaning | Points Earned |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 4 |
| B | Good | 3 |
| C | Average | 2 |
| D | Poor | 1 |
| F | Failure | 0 |
| I | Incomplete* | No points |
| P | Pass** | No points |
| R | Re-Enroll*** | No points |
| S | Satisfactory | No points |
| U | Unsatisfactory | No points |
| W | Withdrawal**** | No points |
| X | Audit | No points |
*The incomplete grade is used for verifiable, unavoidable reasons. Since an incomplete grade extends enrollment in the course, requirements for satisfactory completion will be established through student/faculty consultation and documented on the incomplete grade form. Courses with an incomplete grade must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester or the instructor will award another grade based upon course work completed.
**The pass grade applies to non-credit courses. Only seven credit hours of P grade at the 100 level or above may be applied toward graduation. This maximum may be extended to 15 credit hours for an approved experiential learning program.
***Re-enroll means that you made satisfactory progress but did not complete all the course objectives. You must re-enroll and pay the appropriate tuition to complete the course objectives.
****A withdrawal is awarded if you withdraw or are withdrawn from a course after the add/drop period but prior to the completion of 60% of the session.
The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned in courses by the total number of credits attempted. Courses that do not generate grade points are not included in credits attempted. The GPA is carried out to two digits past the decimal point (example 1.00). No rounding shall be done to arrive at the GPA. The table below illustrates a GPA of 2.00 obtained by dividing 30 by 15.
| Course | Credit Hours Attempted | Grade | Grade Points | Credit Hours Completed | Total Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 101 | 4 | C | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| ENG 111 | 3 | B | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| MUS 141 | 2 | A | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| PED 109 | 1 | F | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FRE 101 | 5 | D | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| PSY 100 | 0 | W | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 15 | 10 | 30 |
Use the GPA Calculator to determine your Grade Point Average.
Graduation
You must earn a GPA of at least 2.00 in courses attempted that are applicable toward graduation to be eligible for graduation with an associate degree, certificate or career studies certificate. Graduation honors are awarded to students who attend for a minimum of 30 credit hours and obtain the following scholastic achievements:
- 3.20 - 3.49: Cum Laude (with Honor)
- 3.50 - 3.79: Magna Cum Laude (with High Honor)
- 3.80 - 4.00: Summa Cum Laude (with Highest Honor)