AMCAS GPA Calculator
An essential tool to calculate your GPA using the official AMCAS method for medical school applications.
What is the AMCAS GPA?
The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) GPA is a standardized score used by allopathic (M.D.) medical schools to evaluate applicants on a level playing field. It’s often different from the GPA on your university transcript because AMCAS has its own specific rules for grade conversion and course classification. This calculator helps you figure out your GPA precisely according to those rules. Crucially, AMCAS calculates two main GPAs: an overall cumulative GPA and a BCPM GPA. The BCPM GPA includes all courses taken in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math departments.
The AMCAS GPA Formula and Grade Conversion
The formula to calculate your gpa using the amcas method is a weighted average:
AMCAS GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours
Quality Points for each course are calculated as: (AMCAS Grade Value) x (Credit Hours). AMCAS converts your letter grades into a standard 4.0 scale. A critical difference from many university systems is that AMCAS includes all course attempts in its calculation; it does not honor institutional academic forgiveness or grade replacement policies. If you retake a course, both the original and the new grade are factored into your AMCAS GPA.
AMCAS Grade Conversion Table
| Letter Grade | AMCAS Grade Value | Letter Grade | AMCAS Grade Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | C- | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
Practical Examples
Example 1: Mixed Semester
A student takes the following courses in a semester:
- General Chemistry I (4 credits) – Grade: A-
- Calculus I (4 credits) – Grade: B+
- English Literature (3 credits) – Grade: A
- Introduction to Psychology (3 credits) – Grade: B
Calculation:
- Chemistry (BCPM): 3.7 (A-) * 4 credits = 14.8 QP
- Calculus (BCPM): 3.3 (B+) * 4 credits = 13.2 QP
- English: 4.0 (A) * 3 credits = 12.0 QP
- Psychology: 3.0 (B) * 3 credits = 9.0 QP
Total QP = 49.0. Total Credits = 14. Overall GPA = 49.0 / 14 = 3.50.
BCPM QP = 14.8 + 13.2 = 28.0. BCPM Credits = 8. BCPM GPA = 28.0 / 8 = 3.50.
Example 2: Course Retake
A student originally took Organic Chemistry (3 credits) and received an ‘F’. They retook it and earned a ‘B’. AMCAS includes both grades.
- Attempt 1 (BCPM): 0.0 (F) * 3 credits = 0.0 QP
- Attempt 2 (BCPM): 3.0 (B) * 3 credits = 9.0 QP
In the AMCAS calculation, these two attempts contribute 9.0 Quality Points over 6 credit hours, averaging to a 1.5 GPA for that course specifically, which is then factored into the cumulative GPA.
How to Use This AMCAS GPA Calculator
- Click the “Add Course” button to create a new entry for each class on your transcript.
- For each course, enter a descriptive name (optional), the number of credit hours, and select the letter grade you received.
- Check the “BCPM?” box if the course falls under Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Math. Use your best judgment based on the course’s primary content.
- Add all courses from all undergraduate years. Remember to include failures and repeated courses.
- Click the “Calculate GPA” button to see your results.
- The tool will display your Overall AMCAS GPA, BCPM GPA, total hours, and total quality points, along with a visual chart.
Key Factors That Affect Your AMCAS GPA
- BCPM GPA: This “science GPA” is heavily scrutinized by admissions committees. Strong performance here is critical.
- All Attempts Count: Unlike some schools, AMCAS averages grades for repeated courses, it doesn’t replace them. A single poor grade can have a lasting impact.
- Plus/Minus Grades: AMCAS differentiates between grades like B+ (3.3) and B (3.0), which can significantly alter your GPA compared to a school that doesn’t use a plus/minus system.
- Credit Hours: Higher credit hour courses have a greater weight. A poor grade in a 5-credit course will impact your GPA more than in a 1-credit course.
- Upward Trend: While the cumulative number is key, admissions committees often look for a positive trajectory in your grades over time.
- Course Classification: You are responsible for correctly classifying your courses. A misclassified course (e.g., marking a non-science course as BCPM) might be corrected during the verification process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Courses with Pass/Fail or other binary grading systems do not get factored into your AMCAS GPA calculation. They are counted in “Supplemental Hours” but do not contribute quality points.
No. Test credits that appear on your transcript without a letter grade (e.g., with a “P” for Pass or “CR” for Credit) are not included in the GPA calculation.
AMCAS converts quarter hours to semester hours. The general conversion is: 1 quarter hour = 0.667 semester hours. This calculator assumes semester hours, so you should convert your credits before entering them.
If you attended a foreign institution and the coursework was transferred to a U.S. or Canadian school with grades and credits, it will generally be included. Official rules can be complex, so refer to the AMCAS Applicant Guide.
Courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics departments count. A good rule of thumb is if 60% or more of the course content is in one of these areas, it should be classified as BCPM. This includes subjects like statistics, neuroscience (if cross-listed), and biochemistry.
For AMCAS purposes, they are the same thing. BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math, which are the subjects that constitute the “Science GPA” that medical schools evaluate.
No. Graduate coursework is calculated into a separate graduate GPA. You should not mix undergraduate and graduate courses in this calculator.
No. Both an A and an A+ are converted to a 4.0 grade value in the AMCAS system.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Explore more resources to help with your medical school application journey.
- MCAT Score Percentiles Explained – Understand how your MCAT score compares to other test-takers.
- The Ultimate Medical School Application Timeline – A step-by-step guide to stay on track.
- How to Write a Compelling Personal Statement – Tips and tricks for the most important essay you’ll write.
- Guide to AMCAS Work and Activities Section – Make your experiences stand out.
- Preparing for the CASPer Test – An overview of this situational judgment test.
- Mastering Secondary Application Essays – Strategies for tackling school-specific prompts.