GPA to WAM Calculator: Australian Weighted Average Mark
Enter your GPA and scale, the calculator converts it to an approximate Weighted Average Mark (WAM) on a 0–100 scale and shows which Australian grade band (HD, D, CR, Pass, or Fail) that result falls into.
One important framing note: WAM and GPA are not simply different scales for the same thing. Australian universities calculate WAM from raw percentage marks, while GPA is based on grade bands; they use different inputs, and a proportional conversion between them is an approximation. This calculator is a practical tool for comparison and enquiry; for official purposes, your WAM is provided directly by your institution.
GPA to WAM: Quick Reference Table
Common GPA values on a 4.0 scale and their approximate WAM equivalents:
| GPA (4.0 scale) | WAM (out of 100) | Australian Band |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 100 | High Distinction (HD) |
| 3.7 | 92.5 | High Distinction (HD) |
| 3.4 | 85 | High Distinction — threshold |
| 3.3 | 82.5 | Distinction (D) |
| 3.0 | 75 | Distinction — threshold |
| 2.9 | 72.5 | Credit (CR) |
| 2.6 | 65 | Credit — threshold |
| 2.0 | 50 | Pass — threshold |
| 1.9 | 47.5 | Fail (F) |
HD requires a WAM of 85 or above. Distinction covers 75–84. Credit covers 65–74. Pass covers 50–64. Below 50 is a Fail.
WAM vs GPA: Why They Are Not Just Different Scales
This Distinction matters most when comparing Australian and international academic records, and it’s more fundamental than it first appears.
GPA groups marks into bands. A student who scores 50 in a course and a student who scores 64 in the same course both receive a Pass, and in a GPA calculation, both receive the same grade points (4 on a 7-point scale, or the equivalent on others). The actual gap between their performances is invisible to the GPA.
WAM uses the actual number. A WAM calculation takes the raw percentage mark (50, 64, 72, 89), multiplies it by the course’s credit point weight, and averages across all courses. Macquarie University’s own guidance explains it directly: a mark of anywhere within 50–64 gives the same GPA result, but those marks produce different WAMs. This is why WAM is considered a more granular representation of achievement than GPA.
Fail marks are included differently. GPA typically assigns zero for any failed course. WAM includes the actual fail mark (say, 35 or 42) in the average, which can lower a WAM more than GPA would reflect.
This structural difference means the proportional conversion this calculator provides, dividing GPA by scale maximum and multiplying by 100, gives a reasonable approximation of where a WAM might sit, but is not identical to how Australian institutions calculate WAM internally.
Which Australian Universities Use WAM and Which Use GPA
Australian universities are not uniform on this point. Some issue WAM, some issue GPA, and some issue both:
Primarily WAM:
- University of Sydney (USyd): does not calculate a GPA. USyd’s own page states explicitly: “The University of Sydney does not use a Grade Point Average (GPA).”
- UNSW: uses WAM as the primary academic record measure
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS): introduced WAM from 2020; also calculates a GPA (7.0 scale) on the transcript
- UniMelb: WAM on transcript using marks × credit points formula
- Macquarie University: switched from GPA to WAM from 2020
Primarily GPA:
- ANU: uses a 7-point GPA scale (HD=7, D=6, CR=5, P=4)
- Monash University: 4-point GPA scale
If you are a USyd or UNSW student and have been asked for a GPA, your institution advises you to contact the requesting organisation for their specific conversion formula; there is no officially issued GPA from those universities.
What WAM Do You Need? Honours, Scholarships, and Postgrad
WAM thresholds appear regularly in three contexts for Australian students:
Honours eligibility is the most common WAM gate. At most Australian universities, First Class Honours requires a WAM of around 80 or above (though some set the bar at 75 or 78; check your faculty handbook). Second Class Honours Division 1 typically requires 75–79, and Second Class Division 2 typically requires 70–74. These thresholds vary by faculty and institution, so the numbers here are indicative, not universal.
Scholarships: Competitive merit scholarships at Australian universities typically require a WAM of 80 or above. Some postgraduate research scholarships, including those funded by the Australian Research Council, assess WAM as a selection criterion.
Postgraduate coursework entry: most Australian master’s programmes by coursework set a minimum WAM of 65 or 70 for entry. Competitive programmes at Go8 universities often expect a WAM above 75.
If you are applying to an Australian postgraduate programme and your prior study was overseas, your institution’s admissions office will assess your academic record against their own equivalency policy. This calculator gives you a reference point for that conversation.
The WAM Max Field: and When to Change It
The calculator includes a WAM max field, defaulting to 100. Most Australian university WAM scales run from 0 to 100, so the default is correct for the vast majority of users.
Change the WAM max if your target institution or Context uses a different scale ceiling. Some New Zealand universities and certain UK institutions use percentage scales that top out at values other than 100 for internal academic measurement. If you are unsure, 100 is almost always correct for Australian WAM.
FAQ: GPA to WAM Calculator
What is a good WAM in Australia?
Context depends on purpose. For most postgraduate coursework entry, a WAM of 65–70 is the typical minimum. For First Class Honours eligibility, most faculties require a score of 75–80. For competitive merit scholarships, a score of 80 or above is generally expected. A WAM above 85 (High Distinction range) is considered excellent at any Australian university.
What WAM is a 3.5 GPA?
A 3.5 on a 4.0 scale converts proportionally to a WAM of 87.5, High Distinction range (85 and above). This is an approximation; the actual equivalence depends on how your GPA was calculated and what underlying marks it represents.
What WAM is a 3.0 GPA?
A 3.0 / 4.0 converts to a WAM of 75.0, the lower threshold of the Distinction band. A WAM of 75 meets First Class Honours thresholds at some universities, and Second Class Honours Division 1 at others.
What WAM is needed for First Class Honours in Australia?
Most Australian universities set First Class Honours at a WAM of 80 or above, though some faculties at some institutions use 75 as the threshold. Check your specific faculty’s handbook rather than relying on a general figure; the variation is real and consequential for eligibility.
Does USyd use GPA or WAM?
WAM only. The University of Sydney does not issue or calculate a GPA. If you are a USyd student asked to provide a GPA by an overseas institution or employer, USyd’s own guidance is to contact the requesting party for their conversion formula, then apply it to your marks directly.
Why does my WAM look different from my GPA?
WAM and GPA use different inputs. WAM averages raw percentage marks, including the exact numerical mark from each course. GPA converts marks to grade-band points first, so a 52% and a 63% both yield the same GPA. The two measures can diverge noticeably, particularly if your marks cluster near band boundaries.
Can I use this calculator to convert my Australian GPA to WAM?
Yes, change the GPA scale from 4.0 to 7.0 (if your institution uses a 7-point scale) and enter your GPA. The calculator will convert proportionally. For institutions that use a different scale entirely, adjust the scale max field to match.
Enter your GPA above for the approximate WAM equivalent and Australian grade band. If you are applying to an Australian university and need to explain your overseas GPA in WAM terms, this gives you a working reference point. Your institution’s admissions team will apply its own equivalency policy to your official transcripts.