Attempted Hours GPA Calculator: Track Academic Progress
Table of Contents
What is Attempted Hours GPA?
Attempted Hours GPA is your grade point average calculated using all credit hours you attempted, including courses you failed, withdrew from late, and repeated. This differs from earned hours GPA, which counts only successfully completed courses. Attempted hours form the denominator in official GPA calculations at most institutions, making this metric crucial for understanding your true academic standing and financial aid eligibility.
Attempted hours include every course for which you remained enrolled past your institution's drop/add deadline, regardless of the final grade received. If you registered for a 3-credit course and earned an F, those 3 hours count as attempted. If you withdrew after the deadline and received a W or WF grade, those hours may count as attempted depending on institutional policy. Understanding attempted hours is essential because they affect GPA, financial aid, and academic standing differently than earned hours.
The distinction between attempted and earned hours becomes critical when courses are failed or incomplete. You may have attempted 90 credit hours total but earned only 75 hours toward graduation if 15 hours worth of courses were failed or withdrawn. For GPA calculation, all 90 attempted hours count in the denominator, but only the 75 earned hours contribute quality points (except failed courses which contribute 0 quality points but still count as attempted). This system ensures GPA accurately reflects your performance across all academic work undertaken, not just successful completions.
Attempted Hours GPA Calculator Tool
Calculate your GPA using attempted hours including failed courses and withdrawals
Your Attempted Hours GPA Results
Formulas & Attempted Hours System
Attempted Hours GPA Formula
Quality Points Formula:
Quality Points = Grade Points × Credit Hours
Attempted Hours GPA Formula:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Attempted Hours
Completion Rate Formula:
Completion Rate = (Earned Hours ÷ Attempted Hours) × 100
Where:
• Attempted Hours = All hours for courses past drop deadline (including failures)
• Earned Hours = Hours from courses with passing grades (D- or higher)
• Failed Hours = Attempted Hours - Earned Hours
• Quality Points = Grade Points × Hours (F courses contribute 0)
Attempted vs Earned Hours
Understanding the critical distinction between these two metrics:
| Metric | Definition | Includes | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attempted Hours | All hours registered past drop deadline | Passed, failed, withdrawn (late), repeated courses | GPA calculation, financial aid SAP |
| Earned Hours | Hours from courses with passing grades | Only courses with D- or higher grades | Degree progress, graduation requirements |
| Failed Hours | Attempted but not earned | F grades, WF grades (if applicable) | Academic standing assessment |
How Failed Courses Affect Attempted Hours
The impact of failures on attempted hours and GPA:
| Scenario | Grade | Attempted Hours | Earned Hours | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-credit course passed with A | A (4.0) | +3 | +3 | +12.0 |
| 3-credit course passed with D | D (1.0) | +3 | +3 | +3.0 |
| 3-credit course failed | F (0.0) | +3 | +0 | +0.0 |
| 4-credit course failed | F (0.0) | +4 | +0 | +0.0 |
| Early withdrawal (before deadline) | W | +0 | +0 | +0.0 |
Completion Rate Thresholds
Understanding minimum completion rates for various requirements:
| Completion Rate | Status | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100% | Excellent | Strong academic standing, graduate school competitive |
| 75-89% | Good | Meets all requirements, room for improvement |
| 67-74% | Satisfactory | Minimum for financial aid, needs attention |
| Below 67% | Unsatisfactory | Financial aid warning or suspension |
Step-by-Step Example
Example Student Record:
1. English 101 (3 hrs): A (4.0) → 4.0 × 3 = 12.0 quality pts, 3 earned hrs
2. Math 140 (4 hrs): B (3.0) → 3.0 × 4 = 12.0 quality pts, 4 earned hrs
3. Chemistry 110 (4 hrs): F (0.0) → 0.0 × 4 = 0.0 quality pts, 0 earned hrs
4. Psychology 100 (3 hrs): C (2.0) → 2.0 × 3 = 6.0 quality pts, 3 earned hrs
5. History 101 (3 hrs): B+ (3.3) → 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 quality pts, 3 earned hrs
Calculations:
Total Quality Points = 12.0 + 12.0 + 0.0 + 6.0 + 9.9 = 39.9
Total Attempted Hours = 3 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 = 17
Total Earned Hours = 3 + 4 + 0 + 3 + 3 = 13
Failed Hours = 17 - 13 = 4
GPA = 39.9 ÷ 17 = 2.35
Completion Rate = (13 ÷ 17) × 100 = 76.5%
How This Calculator Works
This Attempted Hours GPA Calculator implements the comprehensive attempted hours methodology used by US colleges for official GPA calculation and financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) determination.
Step 1: Attempted Hours Identification - The calculator identifies all credit hours attempted, which includes every course you remained enrolled in past the drop/add deadline. This encompasses passed courses, failed courses (F grades contributing 0 quality points but full hours to attempted total), and late withdrawals (W or WF grades) if institutional policy counts them as attempted.
Step 2: Earned Hours Separation - The system separately tracks earned hours, counting only courses with passing grades (typically D- or higher, though some programs require C- minimum for major courses). The gap between attempted and earned hours reveals courses where hours were attempted but not successfully completed—critical for financial aid eligibility.
Step 3: Quality Points Calculation - Each course's grade points are multiplied by credit hours to determine quality points. Failed courses (F=0.0) contribute zero quality points but their hours still count in attempted hours, creating the mathematical mechanism by which failures lower GPA. This ensures GPA reflects performance across all academic work attempted.
Step 4: Attempted Hours GPA Computation - Total quality points are divided by total attempted hours (not earned hours) to calculate GPA. This crucial distinction means failures permanently affect GPA even after retaking courses, as both attempts typically count in attempted hours. The denominator includes all academic attempts, ensuring GPA accurately represents your complete academic history.
Step 5: Completion Rate Analysis - The calculator computes completion rate (earned hours ÷ attempted hours × 100), a critical financial aid metric. Federal aid requires minimum 67% completion rate for Satisfactory Academic Progress. Below this threshold triggers financial aid warning or suspension, making completion rate as important as GPA for maintaining educational funding.
Step 6: Failed Hours Tracking - By calculating failed hours (attempted minus earned), the calculator identifies exactly how many hours were attempted but not successfully completed. This metric helps students understand the gap between their attempts and achievements, informing strategic decisions about retaking courses, adjusting course loads, or seeking academic support.
This methodology aligns with Federal Student Aid regulations for Satisfactory Academic Progress and American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) standards for attempted hours tracking, ensuring calculations match institutional reporting and federal compliance requirements.
Uses of Attempted Hours GPA Calculator
The Attempted Hours GPA Calculator serves critical functions for understanding financial aid eligibility, academic standing, and the true impact of failed or withdrawn courses on your academic record.
Financial Aid Eligibility Assessment
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Verification - Federal financial aid requires maintaining both minimum GPA (typically 2.0) and minimum completion rate (typically 67% of attempted hours). This calculator shows both metrics simultaneously, allowing you to verify SAP compliance before official reviews. Falling below 67% completion rate results in financial aid warning or suspension, jeopardizing thousands of dollars in aid regardless of GPA.
Impact Analysis of Failed Courses
Failure Consequence Quantification - Calculate exactly how failing a course affects your GPA and completion rate. If you have 3.0 GPA with 45 attempted hours and fail a 3-credit course, the calculator shows your GPA drops to approximately 2.77 and completion rate decreases. Understanding these impacts helps prioritize passing all courses versus withdrawing strategically before late withdrawal deadlines.
Withdrawal Decision Making
Strategic Withdrawal Timing - Model whether withdrawing from a course you're likely to fail is better than receiving an F grade. Early withdrawals (W grades) typically don't count as attempted hours or affect GPA. Late withdrawals may count as attempted hours with no quality points earned, similar to failures. The calculator helps quantify which option minimizes damage to completion rate and GPA.
Retake Strategy Planning
Grade Replacement Impact Assessment - Calculate how retaking failed courses affects attempted hours and GPA. Most institutions use grade replacement (new grade replaces old in GPA) but count both attempts in attempted hours and for financial aid's 150% time frame limit. The calculator shows whether retakes improve your metrics sufficiently to justify the additional attempted hours.
Academic Probation Recovery
Return to Good Standing Calculation - Students on probation (below 2.0 GPA) can model exactly what grades in how many attempted hours are needed to reach good standing. If you have 1.8 GPA with 30 attempted hours, the calculator shows you need approximately 15 hours with 2.5+ GPA to reach 2.0 cumulative. This provides specific, actionable recovery goals.
150% Time Frame Monitoring
Maximum Attempted Hours Tracking - Federal aid limits you to attempting 150% of published degree length (180 attempted hours for 120-credit degree). Track attempted hours to ensure you're not approaching this limit, which would terminate all federal aid eligibility. Students who've failed multiple courses or changed majors must monitor this carefully.
Transfer Planning
Academic Record Portability Assessment - Calculate your attempted hours GPA to understand what transfers to new institutions. While most colleges start your institutional GPA fresh, graduate schools recalculate including all attempted hours from all institutions. Understanding your complete attempted hours history informs realistic transfer and graduate school prospects.
Academic Standing Classification
Probation and Suspension Thresholds - Determine your exact academic standing based on attempted hours GPA. Most institutions use: Good Standing (2.0+), Academic Probation (1.5-1.99), Academic Suspension (below 1.5). Knowing your precise standing relative to these thresholds helps you understand consequences and required improvements before official notifications.
How to Calculate Attempted Hours GPA: Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this comprehensive step-by-step methodology to manually calculate your attempted hours GPA, understanding how every course attempt affects your academic standing and financial aid eligibility.
Step 1: Understand Attempted Hours Definition
Clarify what counts as attempted hours at your institution. Generally, attempted hours include all courses where you remained enrolled past the drop/add deadline (typically 1-2 weeks into the semester). This includes courses you passed, failed, received incomplete grades, or withdrew from after the deadline. Early withdrawals (before the official deadline) typically do NOT count as attempted hours. Verify your school's specific policy in the course catalog or with the registrar.
Step 2: Compile Complete Attempted Course List
Create a comprehensive list of every course attempted throughout your college career at your current institution. Include: course name, final grade received (including F grades), credit hours assigned, and semester taken. Failed courses MUST be included. Repeated courses typically count both attempts as attempted hours, even if only the higher grade counts for GPA—verify your school's repeat course policy as it varies.
Step 3: Identify Earned vs Attempted Hours
For each course, note whether hours were earned (passing grade, typically D- or higher) or only attempted (F grade or applicable W grade). Create two columns: attempted hours (all courses) and earned hours (only passing grades). The gap between these columns represents failed or unsuccessfully completed coursework, which is critical for completion rate calculations and financial aid eligibility.
Step 4: Convert Grades to Grade Points
Transform each letter grade to its numerical equivalent using your institution's grading scale. Standard conversion: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D-=0.7, F=0.0. Pay special attention to F grades—they contribute 0.0 grade points but their credit hours still count in attempted hours, which is how failures lower GPA mathematically.
Step 5: Calculate Quality Points per Course
For every course, multiply grade points by credit hours to determine quality points. Examples: English (A=4.0) × 3 hours = 12.0 quality points. Math (F=0.0) × 4 hours = 0.0 quality points. Notice failed courses contribute zero quality points but will still count their hours in Step 7's denominator, creating the GPA-lowering effect of failures.
Step 6: Sum Total Quality Points
Add all quality points together across every attempted course. Include failed courses in this count—they contribute 0.0 quality points but must be part of the calculation. This sum represents your total weighted academic achievement across all coursework attempted. For semester GPA, sum only that semester's courses; for cumulative GPA, sum all courses from all semesters at your institution.
Step 7: Sum Total Attempted Hours
Calculate total attempted hours by adding credit hours from ALL courses, including failed courses and applicable withdrawals. This is the critical step—do not exclude failed courses. If you took 20 courses worth 3 credits each and failed 2 of them, you have 60 attempted hours, not 54. Attempted hours form the denominator in your GPA calculation, which is why failures lower GPA even though they contribute zero to the numerator.
Step 8: Divide to Calculate Attempted Hours GPA
Perform the calculation: GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Attempted Hours. Round to two decimal places. Example: 135 quality points ÷ 60 attempted hours = 2.25 GPA. This GPA based on attempted hours is your official institutional GPA used for academic standing, graduation honors, and transcript reporting. It differs from an "earned hours GPA" which would only count successful completions.
Step 9: Calculate Completion Rate
Determine your completion rate using the formula: Completion Rate = (Total Earned Hours ÷ Total Attempted Hours) × 100. Example: If you attempted 60 hours but earned only 48 hours (failed 12 hours worth), your completion rate is (48 ÷ 60) × 100 = 80%. Federal financial aid requires minimum 67% completion rate. Below this threshold puts you in financial aid jeopardy regardless of your GPA.
Step 10: Verify Against Official Transcript
Compare your calculated attempted hours GPA with the GPA on your official transcript. They should match exactly (within ±0.01 for rounding). Significant discrepancies suggest: (1) you miscounted attempted hours, (2) excluded failed courses, (3) included early withdrawals that shouldn't count, or (4) your school uses different repeat course policies. Consult your registrar if discrepancies exist—understanding your institution's exact methodology is crucial for accurate self-monitoring.
Critical Warning: Attempted hours permanently affect your academic record even if you retake courses. Most institutions use grade replacement for GPA (new grade replaces old) but count BOTH attempts as attempted hours for financial aid purposes. This means retaking failed courses improves GPA but increases attempted hours, potentially pushing you toward the 150% maximum attempted hours limit for federal aid (180 hours for a 120-credit degree). Strategic course selection and withdrawal decisions are essential for long-term academic and financial success.