Grade Point Average (GPA)
Learn about what the Grade Point Average (GPA) represents and how this is calculated.
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) represents the average grade you have achieved across your courses. You can calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA) for a semester (TERM GPA) or cumulatively for all your courses (CUM GPA).
What is included in the Grade Point Average (GPA) calculations?
All grades from A+ to F, and the following special grades, are included in Grade Point Average calculations.
Information that is included in GPA calculations
| Symbol | Description |
| * | Eligible to sit special examination. |
| A,# | The letter A in front of a grade, or # after a mark, indicates that the result was determined following aegrotat assessment. |
| DNS | Did Not Sit – counts as a fail grade. Use of DNS is discontinued from and including Semester 1, 2020. |
| F | Fail. |
| FFT | Failed Field Test. Counts as a fail grade. |
| NC | Not Complete: This indicates that a prerequisite or a mandatory component of the course has not been completed. Outstanding work must be completed within 12 calendar months from the release of examination results otherwise a fail grade will be awarded. |
| NR | No Recommendation following an aegrotat application. |
| P | Pass. The P is equal to a C- grade. |
Grades that are not included in GPA Calculations
| Symbol | Description |
| CC | Course Complete. This grade is used for courses split over two semesters. The 'CC' grade indicates completion of part A and a grade will be received for part B. The CC does not count towards the GPA calculation. (The grade achieved for the second part of the course (part B) will be included in the GPA calculation). |
| CM | Course Complete. Microcredential course completion. |
| CR | Cross Credit. Credit awarded on the basis of prior learning. |
| EX | Exemption. Exempt the requirement to pass the course. |
| IC | Incomplete: This indicates that further assessment will be made before a grade is determined. Outstanding work must be completed by the date determined by the examiner or one calendar month from the release of examination results, after which a final grade will be awarded. |
| IP | In Progress: This indicates that work is in progress. |
| MP | Mark Pending. This indicates that work has been submitted for grading but that grading is not complete. No further action is required by the student. |
| NCP | No Credit Permitted. |
| NRD | No Recommendation During Disruption. Available for D, E and F grades. |
| PDD | Pass During Disruption. Available for course grades C- through to A+ |
| P* | Pass (used for PhD thesis only). |
| RC | Restricted Cross Credit. Restricted credit on the basis of prior learning. Counts as a restricted pass. |
| RP | Result Pending. This indicates that work has been submitted for grading but that grading is not complete. No further action is required by the student. |
| SE | Special Exam |
| TC | Transfer Credit. Credit transferred on the basis of prior learning. |
| WDN | Withdrawn within the allowable withdrawal period. |
Lincoln University Grading Scale
Lincoln University uses a nine point scale to calculate the Grade Point Average (GPA). Each letter grade is assigned a numerical value, with A+ representing a value of '9' points and so on, as per the table below.
This applies to GPA calculations from 2009. If your transcript has courses completed prior to 2009, please contact graduation@lincoln.ac.nz to request a copy of the grading scale that applies for you.
| Grade | Mark Range | Points |
| A+ | 90-100 | 9 |
| A | 85-89 | 8 |
| A- | 80-84 | 7 |
| B+ | 75-79 | 6 |
| B | 70-74 | 5 |
| B- | 65-69 | 4 |
| C+ | 60-64 | 3 |
| C | 55-59 | 2 |
| C- | 50-54 | 1 |
Calculate your GPA
Note down the credit value for each of the courses you have taken. For undergraduate courses the credit value is typically 15 credits (note that some courses in the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture are 30 credit courses and MGMT 73 for the Diploma in Farm Management and MGMT 72 for the Diploma in Horticultural Management are 60 credits). For postgraduate (600 level) courses the value is typically 20 credits; however COMM 601, COMM 602, COMM 603 and COMM 604 are all 10 credit courses.
You can find the credit value of the courses you have taken by checking on the course prescriptions pages.
Using the Lincoln University grading scale, identify the point value of the grade you achieved for each course taken.
For example: if you studied BIOS 201 Population Biology (15 credit course) and achieved a B-; then '4' is the grade point (see table above) assigned to the B- grade.
Multiply the credit value of the course (15 credits) by the numerical value of the grade achieved (4 points).
So, for this example, the calculation would be: 15 (course credits) x 4 (point value of the B-) = 60.000 (course grade points).
At the end of each semester of study you can calculate your TERM GPA by adding up your totals for all courses undertaken (including any courses not passed).
Example
| Course | Credit value of course | Grade | Grade point value | Grade point x course credits | Points achieved |
|
BIOS 201 Population Biology |
15 credits | B- | 4 | 4 points x 15 credits | 60 |
|
COMM 113 Economies and Markets |
15 credits | A | 8 | 8 points x 15 credits | 120 |
|
SOCI 315 Practice and Policy |
15 credits | E | 0 | 0 points x 15 credits | 0 |
|
QMET 103 Statistics |
15 credits | C- | 1 | 1 point x 15 credits | 15 |
Summary calculation to work on the GPA for this example
| Total credit value of all courses attempted (4 courses x 15 credits each) | Total of the grade points achieved (60+120+0+15) | Total achieved points (195) divided by the total possible credit value (60) | Your average grade points |
| 60 | 195 | 195/60 | 3.25 |
Once you have your average points value (in this, example 3.25) refer back to the Lincoln University grading scale and find the grade equivalent of your points average (e.g., 3.25 indicates a grade equivalent of C+).
What is the difference between a TERM GPA and a CUM GPA?
A TERM GPA is the average of your courses in a single semester. Use the calculation method outlined above on the courses you have attempted in a single semester to find your TERM GPA. A CUM GPA is the cumulative (overall) average of all your courses. Use the calculation method above on all courses you have attempted to find your CUM GPA.
What does a good Grade Point Average (GPA) look like?
The higher the Grade Point Average (GPA) the better the academic performance. The maximum TERM GPA / CUM GPA possible would be 9, a student would have had to achieve an A+ grade (mark range 90% – 100%) in every single course they studied to achieve it.
What is the Grade Point Average (GPA) used for?
The GPA is often used as entry criteria into higher level study, for example into Honours or Masters degrees. It is also sometimes a condition of a scholarship to maintain a particular GPA or above as a condition of continuing funding.
What Grade Point Average (GPA) information is shown on my official transcript?
Lincoln University issues an academic transcript with the parchment when you graduate. The transcript is placed into the reverse side of your parchment sleeve.
Your academic transcript is the document that records your courses taken and your results achieved. Your official transcript will show the final overall grade point average you achieved, the CUM GPA, and the GPA calculation information for each course.
| Course description | Attempted | Earned | Grade | Points |
|
BIOS 201 Population Biology |
15 | 15 | B- | 60 |
What is the difference between Honours and Distinction and the Grade Point Average (GPA)?
The GPA is an average of all your courses undertaken. If the qualification you are undertaking can be awarded with Honours or Distinction this will be calculated using a specific criteria, often only using specific courses, or with different weightings for different elements of the calculation.
If you have questions about the calculation of Honours or Distinction for your qualification please contact your Programme Academic Manager.
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