Semester GPA Calculator: Plan Your Grades During the Semester
It is mid-semester, and you want to know: what grades do I need in my remaining courses to hit my target GPA?
This calculator helps you plan during the semester. Mark courses where you already have final grades as “Graded.” Mark courses you’re still taking as “In Progress.” Set your target semester GPA, and the calculator shows what average you need on the remaining courses.
Use this before finals to see what you need to achieve your GPA goal for the semester.
How This Works: Mid-Semester Planning
This calculator is for during the semester, not after:
Step 1: Enter courses with final grades: Some courses might have posted final grades early (dropped classes, completed electives). Mark these as “Graded” and enter the final grade.
Step 2: Enter courses in progress. For courses you’re still taking, mark them as “In Progress.” You can enter current grades if you know them, or leave them blank.
Step 3: Set your target semester GPA: What GPA do you want for this semester? 3.5? 3.0? Enter it.
Step 4: See what you need: The calculator shows your current semester GPA (graded courses only) and the average you need on remaining courses to hit your target.
This is reverse planning: target GPA → needed average.
Graded vs. In-Progress Status
Graded courses have final grades posted. These are complete for the semester. Your grade is locked in and counts toward your current semester GPA.
Examples:
- Dropped a class early → final grade posted → mark as
- Graded Completed a course that ended mid-semester → mark as Graded
- Got an incomplete that’s now resolved → mark as Graded
In-progress courses are still ongoing. You have not yet received the final grade. These are the courses where you can still change your outcome.
Examples:
- Taking the class, finals haven’t happened → In progress
- Current grade is B+, but the final exam can change it → In progress
The calculator uses graded courses to compute your current semester GPA, then figures out what you need in in-progress courses.
The “Needed Average” Calculation
The calculator uses this formula:
Needed Points = (Target GPA × Total Credits) – Points from Graded Courses Needed Average = Needed Points ÷ Remaining Credits
Example:
- Target semester GPA: 3.5
- Graded courses: 9 credits, 3.7 GPA (33.3 quality points)
- Remaining courses: 6 credits
- Total credits: 15
Calculation:
- Needed total points: 3.5 × 15 = 52.5
- Points from graded courses: 33.3
- Needed points from remaining: 52.5 – 33.3 = 19.2
- Needed average: 19.2 ÷ 6 = 3.2
You need a 3.2 average (about a B+ average) on your remaining 6 credits to hit a 3.5 semester GPA.
Common Mid-Semester Scenarios
Scenario 1: Before finals week, you have grades for everything except finals. Enter your current grades for in-progress courses. The calculator shows if your current standing is good enough or if you need to ace finals.
Scenario 2: Recovering from bad midterms, you got C’s on midterms, but the semester is not over. Enter current grades, set a recovery target (like 3.0), and see if it’s achievable with strong finals.
Scenario 3: Maintaining honors eligibility, you need 3.5 for the dean’s list. Enter your current courses, set the target to 3.5, and see what grades you need.
Scenario 4: Mixed progress, two classes ended early (A and B+). Three classes are still going. What do you need in the remaining three to hit your goal?
This tool handles all these situations.
Is Your Target Achievable?
The calculator tells you if your target is realistic:
Needed average ≤ 4.0 → Achievable (assuming you can get all A’s)
Needed average > 4.0 → Not achievable this semester. You’d need perfect scores beyond the maximum. Lower your target or accept that you can’t hit it this semester.
Example: If the calculator says you need a 4.3 average in your remaining courses, it’s impossible (4.0 is the maximum). You might get close to your target, but you won’t hit it exactly.
Use this reality check to set realistic goals.
When to Use This Calculator
Week 8-10 of semester (before finals): Perfect timing. You have some grades, and finals are approaching. Plan what you need.
After midterms: Midterms are done, and final grades aren’t posted yet. See where you stand and what final performance you need.
When one class ends early: Some classes (modules, 8-week courses) end before the semester ends. Calculate with partial results.
When considering dropping a class: See how dropping affects your semester GPA. If you drop a low grade, what average do you need in the remaining courses?
NOT for use:
- After all final grades are posted (use the regular GPA calculator instead)
- For cumulative GPA across multiple semesters (use the cumulative GPA calculator)
FAQ: Semester GPA Calculator
What if I do not know my current grade in a class yet?
You can leave it blank or estimate. If you think you are getting a B, enter B. The calculator shows what you need based on that assumption. Update it as you get more information.
Can I use this for all my semesters at once?
No. This is for planning ONE semester while it is in progress. For multi-semester tracking, use the full GPA calculator or the college GPA calculator.
What if the “needed average” is higher than 4.0?
Your target is not achievable. You have set a goal that requires impossible grades. Either lower your target semester GPA or accept that you will not reach it this term.
Does this work for weighted GPA (honors/AP)?
Yes. Toggle “Use weighted GPA” on and mark courses as honors or AP—the calculator factors in the bonus points when computing the needed average.
Can I use this if I dropped a class?
Yes. If the dropped class has a final grade (W, F, or whatever your school assigns), mark it as “Graded.” If it doesn’t affect your GPA (pure withdrawal), do not include it at all.
How is this different from the regular GPA calculator?
The regular GPA calculator assumes all grades are final. This calculator handles courses that are still in progress. It is designed for mid-semester planning, not final calculations.
When to Use This vs. Other GPA Calculators
Use this semester GPA calculator when:
- The semester is still ongoing (some courses in progress)
- You want to know what grades you need to hit a target
- You are planning for finals or the end-of-semester performance
Use the GPA calculator when:
- All grades are final, and you want to calculate your semester GPA
- You need comprehensive semester-by-semester tracking
Use the cumulative GPA calculator when:
- The semester is over, and you want to update your cumulative GPA
The line: this is for DURING semester planning. Other tools are for AFTER the semester calculation.
This semester GPA calculator helps you plan during the semester. Enter courses with final grades (mark as “Graded”), enter courses still in progress, set your target semester GPA, and see what average you need on remaining courses to hit your goal.