PTCAS

FAQs > Grade Point Averages

Table of Contents

• Q: How are the PTCAS GPAs calculated?

  A: PTCAS calculates 24 GPAs for every “complete” application received. The PTCAS GPAs include all U.S. college courses with grades and credit hours at all U.S. regionally accredited institutions, including repeated courses. All GPAs are provided in a 4.0 semester-based format. To calculate your PTCAS GPA, first calculate the quality points for each course by multiplying the grade value of the course by the semester hours for that course. Add the quality points for all courses for total quality points. Separately add the credit hours for all courses for total credit hours. Divide the total quality points by the total number of attempted hours. (Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours Attempted = GPA)

  ---

  E×ample:

  Course	Grade on Transcript	Credits Attempted on Transcript	PTCAS Grade	Calculation	Quality Points
  MATH 100	90–100	3	A (4.0)	= 4 × 3	12
  HIST 101	80–89	3	B (3.0)	= 3 × 3	9
  CHEM 200	70–79	4	C (2.0)	= 2 × 4	8
  BIOL 250	60–69	3	D (1.0)	=1 × 3	3
  PSYC 300	< 60	3	F (0.0)	=0 × 3	0
  TOTAL		16			32

  ---

  GPA Calculation: 32 (Quality Points) divided by 16 (Credit Hours Attempted) = 2.00 (GPA)

• Q: Why is my PTCAS GPA different from what my transcripts provide for a GPA?

  A: PTCAS standardizes GPAs to help PT programs evaluate applicants using uniform and consistent criteria, regardless of different institutional transcript policies. If the institution you attended has a different grading scale than PTCAS or grade forgiveness policies for repeated courses, your PTCAS GPAs will differ. All applicants will have their GPAs calculated using the same criteria. PT programs may choose to use the PTCAS GPAs or calculate new GPAs for their own institutional use.

• Q: How do I convert the numeric grades on my transcript to a PTCAS letter grade?

  A: Some college transcripts report numeric grades, rather than alpha (letter) grades. Please refer to the key provided on the front or back of the transcript for a conversion scale. If the transcript does NOT provide a conversion scale, please refer to the conversion scales below:

  ---

  For Transcripts with No Alpha Grade Key, Exmpale 1:

  Grade on Transcript	PTCAS Letter Grade	PTCAS Grade Value
  100–90	A/A+	4.0
  89–80	B	3.0
  79–70	C	2.0
  69–60	D	1.0
  59–0	F	0.0

  ---

  For Transcripts with No Alpha Grade Key, Example 2:

  Grade on Transcript	PTCAS Letter Grade	PTCAS Grade Value
  4.00–3.80	A+/A	4.0
  3.79–3.60	A-	3.7
  3.59–3.40	AB	3.5
  3.39–3.10	B+	3.3
  3.09–2.80	B	3.0
  2.79–2.60	B-	2.7
  2.59–2.40	BC	2.5
  2.39–2.10	C+	2.3
  2.09–1.80	C	2.0
  1.79–1.60	C-	1.7
  1.59–1.40	CD	1.5
  1.39–1.10	D+	1.3
  1.09–0.80	D	1.0
  0.79–0.60	D-	0.7
  0.59–0.40	DE	0.5
  Less than or equal to 0.39	F	0.0

• Q: When will my GPAs be available?

  A: GPAs are calculated within 4–5 weeks after the application, all required U.S. transcripts, and correct fee are received by PTCAS. PTCAS will notify you via email once your GPAs are available to view on the PTCAS application.

• Q: Where will I be able to view my GPAs?

  A: You will receive an automated email from PTCAS once your GPAs are available.  To view your PTCAS GPAs, login to your PTCAS web application and select the GPA option under Status towards the right of the screen.

• Q: What types of courses are included in my GPAs?

  A: All coursework that is listed in a session marked as Undergraduate, Graduate, or Post-BS Undergraduate will be included in your GPAs, with a few exceptions. The following courses will NOT be included in your PTCAS GPAs:

  • Courses with zero (0.00) credit value (If a failed course and credit earned is 0.00, PTCAS will use credit hours attempted)
  • Non-graded courses ( i.e., P, HP, S, CR)

  Courses with a special classification of:

  • Incomplete
  • Advanced Placement
  • CLEP
  • International Baccalaureate
  • Audit
  • Deferred
  • Institutional/Departmental Exam
  • Pass/Fail
  • Withdrawn/Withdrawn Passing
  • Withdrawn Failing

• Q: What is the grading scale that PTCAS uses to calculate GPAs?

  A: The PTCAS grading system standardizes the way grades will be reported to your designated programs. The PTCAS Grade is assigned a numeric value to calculate your grade point average.

  Grade Scale Table:

  A/A+	4
  A-	3.7
  AB	3.5
  B+	3.3
  B	3
  B-	2.7
  BC	2.5
  C+	2.3
  C	2
  C-	1.7
  CD	1.5
  D+	1.3
  D	1
  D-	0.7
  DE	0.5
  F	0

  If your institution uses a numeric grading system, choose the appropriate letter grade from the list above that equals the numeric grade. If your institution uses a plus/minus system with different numeric values, the PTCAS GPA will be different than your institutional GPA. This potential disparity is known to the participating PT programs and will not put you at a disadvantage relative to other PTCAS applicants. All applicants will have their GPAs calculated using the same criteria.

• Q: What do I do if I notice a discrepancy in my GPAs that is not explained by these FAQs?

  A: Contact PTCAS if you disagree with a PTCAS GPA calculation. PTCAS staff will gladly investigate any potential verification errors and will resolve any proven mistakes immediately. If your application is revised due to a discrepancy, your designated program(s) will be notified immediately and a revised copy of your application will be forwarded within one week.

• Q: Do I list coursework taken at Overseas U.S. institutions?

  A: Yes. List all coursework that was taken at an overseas U.S. institution. PTCAS defines an overseas U.S. institution as one that has U.S. regional accreditation status; admits students from the U.S.; and teaches, tests, and provides all documentation in English.