Korean Grade Calculator
Introduction
The Korean Grade Calculator converts Korean university letter grades into a credit-weighted GPA on either a 4.5 or 4.0 reporting scale. This is useful because Korean transcripts are often issued on 4.5 internally, while exchange partners or graduate applications may ask for 4.0 conversion. Without a clear method, students can understate or overstate their profile when comparing results across systems.
In Korean higher education, course credits determine how much each class affects cumulative GPA. That means one 3-credit major course has more impact than a 1-credit seminar. The calculator accounts for this automatically by weighting grade points by credits. It supports the common letter pattern A+, A0, B+, B0, C+, C0, D+, D0, and F.
It is also important to separate university GPA from other Korean assessment frameworks. Secondary-school records such as 내신 (school record grades) and standardized university entrance testing such as 수능 (CSAT) serve different purposes and follow different scoring logic. This tool is specifically for university credit-based GPA planning, not for high-school ranking or CSAT score prediction.
Korean Grade Calculator
Many Korean universities use 4.5 scale, while some reports convert to 4.0. Choose the scale required for your context.
Enter credits and Korean letter grades (A+, A0, B+, B0, C+, C0, D+, D0, F).
How It Works
First, choose your scale mode. In 4.5 mode, A+ maps to 4.5 and A0 to 4.0. In 4.0 mode, grades are converted to a widely used equivalent where A+ maps to 4.0 and A0 to 3.7. This allows you to prepare both local and international application formats from the same course data.
Next, enter each course with credits and letter grade. The calculator validates that credits are positive and grade tokens are supported. It then computes quality points per course (grade points x credits), sums them, and divides by total credits. This yields the weighted GPA.
Outputs include GPA, total quality points, total credits, normalized ratio of maximum scale, and an advisory standing signal. The normalized ratio helps compare two reporting systems: for example, 3.6/4.5 and 3.2/4.0 can be interpreted on a common percentage-of-scale basis.
Final institutional outcomes may still depend on rules for repeated courses, pass/fail modules, military leave semesters, or program-specific graduation requirements. Use this calculator for transparent arithmetic and scenario planning, then confirm final decisions with official academic affairs guidance.
📐 Formula
Korean GPA formula:
Step-by-Step
Assume a student selects 4.5 mode and enters:
- Algorithms: A+, 3 credits
- Database Systems: A0, 3 credits
- Digital Logic: B+, 3 credits
- Engineering Ethics: C0, 2 credits
Step 1: Convert grades to points on 4.5 scale. A+=4.5, A0=4.0, B+=3.5, C0=2.0
Step 2: Multiply each by credits.
- 4.5 x 3 = 13.5
- 4.0 x 3 = 12.0
- 3.5 x 3 = 10.5
- 2.0 x 2 = 4.0
Step 3: Sum quality points and credits. Total quality points = 40.0 Total credits = 11
Step 4: Compute GPA. GPA = 40.0 / 11 = 3.636
Step 5: Interpret. 3.636/4.5 is about 80.8% of scale maximum, usually indicating strong standing in many programs.
Examples
Example 1
Standard Major Semester
A student on a 4.5 transcript checks cumulative impact of one C0 elective.
- Apply 4.5 mapping to each grade.
- Weight by credits and sum quality points.
- Output is around 3.68 on 4.5 scale.
Result
GPA: 3.68 (4.5 scale)
Example 2
4.0 Reporting Conversion
The same student needs a 4.0-format estimate for an overseas exchange application.
- Recompute with 4.0 conversion map.
- Weighted value decreases numerically because the scale maximum changes.
- Result is around 3.40 on 4.0 scale.
Result
GPA: 3.40 (4.0 converted)
Example 3
Risk Case with One Failure
A student includes one failed 3-credit required subject to estimate recovery urgency.
- F contributes zero quality points with full credit weight.
- Weighted GPA drops to about 2.23/4.5.
- Student should prioritize retake strategy and high-credit recovery planning.
Result
GPA: 2.23, standing caution
Understanding Your Result
A GPA above roughly 80% of your scale maximum is often a strong signal for competitive opportunities, though exact scholarship and program thresholds differ. In many institutions, sustained results in this zone support exchange applications, research assistant opportunities, and selective track entry.
A mid-band profile can still be fully viable, especially when major requirements are completed steadily and grade trend is improving. If you are targeting a specific cutoff, use this calculator to test how much one additional grade level in a high-credit course changes your cumulative GPA.
If your normalized ratio drops below common good-standing bands, immediate planning is valuable. One failed high-credit subject can create disproportionate drag, so recovery usually works best when you prioritize required courses first and avoid overloaded timetables.
When reporting GPA internationally, always include scale context. A number without scale can be misinterpreted. If requested, provide both 4.5 and 4.0 versions with a brief note on conversion method and institutional transcript format.
Regional Notes
University-specific grading and repeat-course policies in Korea can vary. Confirm official transcript calculation rules with your institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
A+ is usually the highest band and carries higher points than A0 in 4.5 systems. This difference can materially affect GPA in high-credit courses. Enter both exactly as shown on your transcript.
No. 내신 and 수능 are separate systems used for secondary-school evaluation and university entrance testing. This calculator is only for university credit-based GPA from course grades.
The grade-point mapping changes between scales, especially at the top bands. That means the same transcript can produce different numeric values depending on reporting standard. Always use the scale required by your target institution.
Use whichever entries match your university's official repeat policy. Some institutions replace earlier results, while others include both attempts or apply partial replacement rules. Check academic regulations before final reporting.
Follow the requirement in the application portal or institution guideline. Some ask for two decimals, others use three. This calculator shows a precise value and you can round according to the destination policy.