How GPA Works at Caltech
At Caltech, your GPA (Grade Point Average) reflects the average of your course grades on a 4.0 scale. Each letter grade is assigned a numerical value, and your GPA is the weighted average of these values, based on the number of units (credits) each course carries.
One unique aspect of Caltech’s academic culture is the emphasis on mastery and learning over just chasing grades. That said, grades still matter—especially for maintaining good academic standing, qualifying for honors, or applying to internships and grad schools.
Caltech Grade Scale
Caltech uses a standard 4.0 scale, but with some specific twists. Here’s how letter grades typically translate into grade points:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
| P (Pass) | Not calculated |
| F (Fail, P/F) | 0.0 |
| W (Withdrawn) | Not calculated |
| I (Incomplete) | Not calculated |
Note: Plusses and minuses (like A- or B+) are not used in undergraduate grading. All letter grades are given in whole letters.
GPA Calculation Formula
To compute your GPA at Caltech:
- Multiply the grade points for each class by the number of units for that course.
- Add up all the grade points earned.
- Divide that total by the number of graded units attempted.
Example:
| Course | Units | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics 1 | 9 | A | 36.0 |
| Math 1 | 9 | B | 27.0 |
| Chemistry 1 | 9 | C | 18.0 |
GPA = (36 + 27 + 18) / 27 = 81 / 27 = 3.0
Courses taken Pass/Fail (P/F) do not count toward GPA unless the student earns an “F”.
First-Year Grading Policy
In their first two terms, freshmen at Caltech receive grades of Pass/Fail only, with no letter grades shown on the transcript. This policy aims to ease the transition to Caltech’s rigorous academic environment and reduce early pressure.
Starting in the third term, letter grades begin to appear.
Faculty or Departmental Grading Policies
Caltech’s grading policies are fairly uniform across departments, though expectations can be especially high in majors like Physics, Math, and Engineering. All undergrad courses follow the same grading structure unless explicitly stated.