A Guide for Philippine College Students
Introduction
Figuring out your General Weighted Average (GWA) can feel tough, but guess what? It’s not that hard at all.
Knowing how to calculate your GWA is super important whether you’re just starting or close to graduating.
This number shows your academic performance and can help with scholarships, job hunting, & more. Let’s break it down into easy steps and see how to calculate and use GWA calculators.
Understanding General Weighted Average (GWA)
What is GWA?
The General Weighted Average (GWA) measures how well you’re doing in college overall! It looks at the grades you get in each subject along with credit units (how much each course “weighs”). This gives a clear picture of your achievements over time.
Importance of GWA
Your GWA is a big deal! It isn’t just a number; it’s a sign of how well you’re doing in your academia. A high GWA can lead to cool things like scholarships & honors, while a low one might mean you need to improve for better opportunities.
Importance of GWA Calculator
The GWA calculator helps you automate the calculation process. These GWA calculators are mostly designed on the GWA calculation formulas so the student does not have to do the formulas manually.
All a student has to do is put the grades and units/credit hours. The rest of the calculation is done in a single click and the result is displayed. Students don’t have to worry about finding the weights of the subjects or any other calculation.
GWA Calculator Browser Extensions
You can find the GWA Calculator Chrome extension and Firefox extension on our website. Complete guides and the links to these extensions are provided. These extensions were redesigned to help students perform all the calculations easily and quickly.
You can add these extensions to your browsers. After every semester, or even your mids, calculate your current GWA to know where you stand and how much effort you have to make to qualify for your dream scholarship or admission to an institution.
GWA Calculator Web
We have also provided you with a built-in online GWA Calculator on our website. This GWA calculator is your go-to solution if you don’t want to install an extension. It is easy to use and easily accessible.
A detailed guide on the same web page is also provided that guides you through the online and manual GWA calculation process.
Components of GWA
Grades
Your grades are super important for calculating your GWA! They might be letters like A, B, or C or numbers like 1.0 & 1.5 depending on your school’s system! Each grade has a special number value that plays into your final average.
Credit Units
Credit units show how big or serious a course is. A 3-unit class usually takes more of your time than a 1-unit course does. These units matter because they help determine how each grade affects your overall average.
Steps to Compute GWA
Gather Your Grades
First things first—collect all your grades from this semester! Make sure they are correct—either numerical or letter grades. Overlooking or carelessness can cause unnecessary difficulties and can sometimes be frustrating and annoying.
Find Out Credit Units
Next up, check out the credit units for every course you took this semester. You can usually find this on your syllabus or academic records.
Multiply Grades by Credit Units
Now comes the fun part—multiply each grade by its credit units! This gives you weighted grades for each class! For example, if you got a 2 in a 3-unit class, that weighs as 6.
Sum Up the Results
Time to add everything together! Add up all those weighted grades from each course so you have one total weighted grade.
Divide by Total Credit Units
Finally, divide the total weighted grade by the total number of credit units. The result is your GWA. For example, if your total weighted grade is 45 and the total credit units are 15, your GWA would be 3.0.
Example Calculation
Sample Grades and Credit Units
Let’s say you have the following grades and credit units for a semester:
– Math: Grade 1.5, Credit Units 3
– English: Grade 2.0, Credit Units 3
– Science: Grade 1.75, Credit Units 4
– History: Grade 2.5, Credit Units 2
– PE: Grade 1.0, Credit Units 1
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Math: 1.5 x 3 = 4.5
- English: 2.0 x 3 = 6.0
- Science: 1.75 x 4 = 7.0
- History: 2.5 x 2 = 5.0
- PE: 1.0 x 1 = 1.0
Total Weighted Grade = 4.5 + 6.0 + 7.0 + 5.0 + 1.0 = 23.5
Total Credit Units = 3 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 13
GWA = 23.5 / 13 = 1.81
Using the Built-in GWA Calculator Philippines 2024
Accessing the Calculator
Check it out—most schools now have cool built-in calculators on their websites! Just go to that section on your school’s page.
Inputting Your Data
Type in those grades & credit units right into the calculator accurately so everything works.
Interpreting the Results
After inputting things, ta-da—the calculator gives you your GWA automatically. Check & see if it matches what you did manually.
Tips for Maintaining a High GWA
Time Management
Good time management makes a BIG difference—essential. Use planners or digital calendars for assignments and tests; keeping track helps loads.
Effective Study Techniques
Create study habits that work best for YOU—maybe notes, summarizing, flashcards, or even study groups. Regularly look over materials so they stick better.
Seeking Help When Needed
Don’t wait too long if you’re having trouble with subjects —it’s okay to ask for help. Going to professors’ office hours or peer tutoring can help boost understanding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Miscalculating Credit Units
Always check those credit units again. You want them right for accurate calculation. Look into the list of subjects with credit scores to avoid mistakes.
Ignoring Low Credit Courses
All courses count—even smaller ones should be considered too since they affect averages. While it’s true focusing more on the subjects with higher credit scores is a smart approach, it’s not the best one.
When you are competing for a scholarship or limited seats in an institution, you will need the marks of subjects with low edit scores as well. So, treat each one separately and manage them properly.
Conclusion
Making sure you calculate that GWA accurately helps you know where you stand academically & plan—great future options await. Use these given steps plus GWA calculators for better accuracy. Remember too—it takes effort but keeping high scores is realistic with mindful strategies.
FAQs
What is the formula for calculating GWA?
The simple formula is.
GWA=Total Weighted Grade / Total #of credits.
Can I use a GWA calculator whenever I want?
I advise you to frequently use the GWA calculator for your GWA calculation. This will ensure you academically moving at the right pace.
How often should I compute my GWA?
It’s great strategy-wise after every semester—you’ll see clear progress then.
What should I do if my GPA seems low?
Work hard on the subjects with higher credit scores. If you are somehow low on GWA, then you can apply for improvement during the semester breaks. Or consult your teachers or departmental office to seek advice as per your college/university policies.
Can extracurricular activities affect my GWA?
Extracurricular activities won’t change grades directly. Focus on your attendance and perform well on quizzes, presentations, projects, assignments, and most importantly, the exams. Try to perform the best in all of these activities because in the end, sometimes you need a single mark to change your grade or qualify for scholarships or admission.
