How GPA Is Defined at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
At MIT, grade point average (GPA) is calculated using a 5.0 scale, where letter grades are assigned points (A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, F = 0). Pass (P), Satisfactory (S), No Record (NR), Incomplete (I), and other non-letter grades are not included in GPA calculations. GPA may be reported as a term GPA or cumulative GPA depending on context. Undergraduate and graduate GPAs are calculated separately.
Who This GPA Calculator Is For
| Applies To | Does Not Apply To |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students with letter-graded subjects | First-year students in terms graded entirely Pass/No Record |
| Graduate students receiving letter grades | Subjects graded P, S, NR, O, SA, U, or I |
Before You Use the GPA Calculator
- Use only letter-graded subjects (A–F)
- Confirm the unit value for each subject
- Exclude any subject with non-letter grading
This calculator is designed to match MIT’s official 5.0 GPA calculation used by the Registrar.
Types of GPA Reported at MIT
MIT may report more than one GPA depending on student level and context:
- Term GPA: Reflects performance in a single academic term
- Cumulative GPA: Reflects performance across all applicable terms
Not all students will see all GPA types. This calculator matches the cumulative GPA calculation.
Undergraduate GPA
Undergraduate GPA at MIT is calculated on a 5.0 scale using letter-graded subjects only. First-year fall term and Independent Activities Period (IAP) are graded Pass/No Record and do not generate a GPA. GPA calculation begins once letter grades are issued.
| Faculty / School | GPA Calculated? | GPA Scale | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All undergraduate programs | Yes (with letter grades) | 5.0 | First-year P/NR terms excluded |
Official GPA Scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| A | 5.0 |
| B | 4.0 |
| C | 3.0 |
| D | 2.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Grades such as P, S, NR, O, SA, U, and I do not carry grade points and are not included in GPA calculations.
Which Courses Count Toward GPA
| Included in GPA | Not Included in GPA |
|---|---|
| Letter-graded subjects (A–F) | Pass / No Record subjects |
| Repeated subjects (each attempt) | Subjects with S, U, O, SA grades |
| Standard academic coursework | Incomplete grades until resolved |
Miscounts most often occur when non-letter grades are mistakenly treated as GPA-bearing.
How Course Units Affect GPA at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Each subject’s impact on GPA is weighted by its unit value. Subjects with more units contribute proportionally more to the GPA calculation.
How GPA Is Calculated
MIT uses the following formula:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total GPA Units
Quality points are calculated by multiplying the grade point value by the number of units for each subject. The final GPA is rounded to one decimal place.
Example:
- 12-unit subject with grade A (5.0) = 60 quality points
- 12-unit subject with grade B (4.0) = 48 quality points
- 9-unit subject with grade B (4.0) = 36 quality points
Total units: 33
Total quality points: 144
GPA = 144 ÷ 33 = 4.36 → 4.4
Course Repeats or Special GPA Rules
When a subject is repeated, all letter-graded attempts are included in GPA calculations. MIT does not replace grades for repeated subjects.
Transcript Grades vs GPA Calculations
Some transcript notations appear for record-keeping purposes but do not affect GPA. Only letter-graded subjects with assigned grade points are included in GPA calculations.
Graduate GPA
Graduate GPA at MIT is also calculated on the 5.0 scale using letter-graded subjects. GPA is reported on graduate transcripts once applicable coursework is completed. Program-specific grading practices may vary.
Common GPA Mistakes Students Make
- Including Pass/No Record or S/U subjects in GPA
- Ignoring unit weighting
- Using unrounded GPA values instead of MIT’s one-decimal rounding
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MIT use a 4.0 or 5.0 GPA scale?
MIT uses a 5.0 GPA scale for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Letter grades are assigned values from 5.0 to 0.0.
Are first-year grades included in GPA?
No. First-year fall term and IAP are graded Pass/No Record and do not produce a GPA.
Do Pass or Satisfactory grades affect GPA?
No. Pass, Satisfactory, and other non-letter grades are excluded from GPA calculations.
Are repeated subjects averaged or replaced?
Repeated subjects are not replaced. Each letter-graded attempt is included in GPA calculations.
How is GPA rounded at MIT?
MIT rounds GPA values to one decimal place for official reporting.
Related Official University Links
- Registrar — Calculating GPA
https://registrar.mit.edu/classes-grades-evaluations/grades/calculating-gpa - Registrar — Grading Policies
https://registrar.mit.edu/classes-grades-evaluations/grades/grading-policies - MIT Academic Catalog — Academic Performance and Grades
https://catalog.mit.edu/mit/procedures/academic-performance-grades/academic-performance-grades
Accuracy Disclaimer
This guide is based exclusively on publicly available Massachusetts Institute of Technology academic and registrar documentation. Official transcripts and Registrar determinations govern final GPA calculations.