Our LSAC GPA Calculator helps future law students quickly and accurately convert their grades into the official 4.33 scale used by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). Whether you are preparing for your law school application or just want to understand your academic standing, this tool streamlines the process.
LSAC GPA Calculator
LSAC uses a 4.33 scale (A+ = 4.33). The GPA updates automatically.
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What Is LSAC GPA?
The LSAC GPA, short for Law School Admission Council Grade Point Average, is a standardized version of your undergraduate GPA that is recalculated by the Law School Admission Council when you apply to law schools in the United States and Canada. Unlike the GPA listed on your college transcript, the LSAC GPA follows a strict and uniform scale, applies consistent rules to all applicants regardless of institution, and includes all undergraduate coursework from all schools you’ve attended. This recalculation is done to ensure that law school admissions committees can make fair comparisons between applicants with diverse academic backgrounds.
When you submit your transcripts through LSAC�s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), they don�t just forward your transcripts to law schools � they recalculate your GPA from scratch, applying their own methodology to convert your grades into a common standard. For many applicants, the LSAC GPA is slightly lower than their university GPA due to differences in grade inclusion, scale, and how repeated or failed courses are treated.
Why Does LSAC Recalculate Your GPA?
Law school applicants come from a wide variety of institutions, each with its own grading system, GPA scale, and academic policies. Some schools grade on a 4.0 scale, others on a 4.3 scale. Some institutions give A+ grades worth more than 4.0, while others don�t. Universities also differ in whether they exclude certain types of courses from GPA calculations � such as physical education, remedial classes, or pass/fail electives.
Because of this inconsistency, law schools can�t fairly evaluate applicants based solely on their institutional GPA. The LSAC GPA solves this problem by recalculating every applicant�s grades using the same standardized rules. This way, admissions committees can compare GPAs directly and accurately, knowing they are based on the same methodology regardless of where an applicant went to school.
The LSAC GPA acts as a normalizing tool, making law school admissions more transparent, fair, and objective. It ensures that someone with a 3.8 GPA from one university isn�t being unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged compared to someone with a 3.8 from another.
How the LSAC GPA Is Calculated
When you use the Credential Assembly Service, LSAC requests official transcripts from every undergraduate institution you�ve attended. Their trained staff then reviews and converts every grade to a numerical value based on LSAC�s internal 4.33 scale. All eligible courses, credits, and grades are factored into one cumulative GPA.
This process can be complex because LSAC follows very specific guidelines for what counts and how it�s weighted.
Uniform 4.33 Scale
Unlike many colleges that use a 4.0 scale or don�t reward A+ grades, LSAC uses a 4.33 scale that includes the following values:
- A+ = 4.33
- A = 4.00
- A? = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.00
- B? = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.00
- C? = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.00
- D? = 0.67
- F = 0.00
If your university does not award A+ grades, your GPA might not benefit from this extra boost. But if you attended a school where A+ grades were possible and earned a few of them, they will help improve your LSAC GPA � more than they would have at your home institution.
All Undergraduate Coursework Is Included
This is a major difference between LSAC and most college registrar offices. LSAC includes every single undergraduate course you�ve taken, whether it was at your main university or elsewhere. That includes:
- Courses taken before transferring to your degree-granting institution
- Community college courses
- Dual enrollment courses completed while in high school
- Summer classes at other universities
- Post-baccalaureate undergraduate-level coursework (not graduate)
- Extension or continuing education courses, if credit-bearing
Even if your college excluded certain grades from your institutional GPA, LSAC will include them. Every credit-bearing, graded undergraduate course you completed (that appears on an official transcript) gets factored into your LSAC GPA.
Repeated Courses and Failing Grades
Many universities have grade replacement policies. If you fail a class and retake it for a higher grade, the failing grade might be dropped from your transcript GPA. LSAC, however, does not follow this rule.
If you repeated a course, both the original grade and the new grade will be included in your LSAC GPA. This can result in a lower LSAC GPA compared to your transcript GPA � especially if your school was lenient with academic forgiveness.
The same applies to failing grades. If a course shows a grade of �F,� it will count as 0.00 and remain in your LSAC GPA, even if you later earned an A in the same class. Every attempt counts.
Withdrawals and Pass/Fail Courses
Not all withdrawals are treated the same. LSAC generally does not include withdrawn courses in your GPA calculation � as long as they appear on your transcript with a neutral notation like �W� or �Withdrawn� and carry no grade. However, if the transcript assigns a �WF� (withdrawal fail) or any other punitive grade, it may be included as an F.
Pass/fail or credit/no credit courses are also excluded unless a letter grade is assigned. For instance, if you took a course as �Pass/Fail� and received a P, it won�t be calculated. If you received an F or a grade equivalent to a failure, it may be included.
Study Abroad and International Coursework
LSAC includes study abroad courses in your GPA only if the credits were awarded by a U.S. or Canadian institution and the grades appear on the transcript in letter or numeric form. If your study abroad program was administered by a foreign university, LSAC will not include those grades in your GPA calculation.
However, LSAC will review the foreign transcript and provide a separate evaluation or summary, which may still be considered by law schools during the admissions process.
Why Your LSAC GPA Might Be Lower Than You Expect
Many applicants are surprised to see that their LSAC GPA is lower than their transcript GPA. This is often due to:
- The inclusion of repeated courses (including the original failing grade)
- Additional coursework from community college or summer classes with lower grades
- Differences in how A+ grades are weighted
- Removal of grade forgiveness policies used by their institution
- The inclusion of old dual enrollment or post-bac grades
Knowing this in advance helps you avoid unpleasant surprises later in the application process. If you�re aiming for a specific GPA threshold for a T14 or other competitive law school, it�s important to understand how LSAC will view your academic record � not just how your university presents it.
Estimate Your LSAC GPA with a Free Calculator
Because LSAC doesn�t reveal your recalculated GPA until after transcripts are processed, many applicants want to estimate their LSAC GPA early. This helps with goal setting, deciding whether to retake the LSAT, and choosing which law schools to apply to.
Using a Free LSAC GPA Calculator allows you to input your course grades and credit hours manually, apply the 4.33 scale, and receive a close approximation of your LSAC GPA. While not official, this tool gives you powerful insight into how your academic record will be evaluated and lets you plan your application strategy with confidence.
How LSAC Calculates Your GPA
Understanding how the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) calculates your GPA is essential for anyone applying to law school in the United States or Canada. The process is rigorous, standardized, and often significantly different from how your university computes your GPA. Below is a detailed breakdown of each step LSAC takes when recalculating your undergraduate grade point average through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS).
Step 1: Gathering All Transcripts
The first step in calculating your LSAC GPA involves collecting all relevant academic records. LSAC requires official transcripts from every postsecondary institution you’ve attended, regardless of whether you earned a degree there or completed only one course.
This includes:
- Courses taken at community colleges
- Credits earned through dual enrollment during high school
- Summer classes at different institutions
- Study abroad programs with transferable credit
- Post-baccalaureate undergraduate-level coursework
- Any institution where you earned academic credit toward your undergraduate degree
Even if your primary institution has already transferred and recorded grades from another college, LSAC still insists on reviewing the original transcript from that secondary institution. This is because LSAC wants to see the grade exactly as it was awarded, using the source school’s grading policies. All transcripts must be submitted directly to LSAC in sealed envelopes or through approved electronic channels. Once received, LSAC will review and authenticate them before beginning the conversion process.
Failing to submit all undergraduate transcripts � even if the credits appear elsewhere � will result in delays or incomplete GPA reporting. Law schools will not receive your LSAC report until the Credential Assembly Service has processed every transcript.
Step 2: Converting Letter Grades to the LSAC 4.33 Scale
Once all transcripts are collected, LSAC begins the next step: converting each grade to its standardized 4.33 GPA scale. This is where many applicants see their GPA shift�sometimes slightly, other times dramatically.
Your university likely uses a 4.0 scale or something close to it, and some schools do not differentiate between A and A+. LSAC, however, assigns a specific point value to each letter grade, creating a consistent method of comparison across all applicants.
Here is the official LSAC conversion chart:
- A+ is worth 4.33 points
- A is worth 4.00 points
- A? is worth 3.67 points
- B+ is worth 3.33 points
- B is worth 3.00 points
- B? is worth 2.67 points
- C+ is worth 2.33 points
- C is worth 2.00 points
- C? is worth 1.67 points
- D+ is worth 1.33 points
- D is worth 1.00 point
- D? is worth 0.67 points
- F is worth 0.00 points
This means that if your university caps A+ grades at 4.0, you may actually benefit in the LSAC system if your professors awarded A+ grades on your transcript. Conversely, if your school allows you to replace a failing grade after repeating a course, LSAC will not exclude the original F. They will include both the F and the new grade in your GPA calculation.
Step 3: Applying Credit Hours to Each Grade
The LSAC GPA is a weighted average, meaning that each course�s grade is multiplied by the number of credit hours assigned to it. A three-credit �B� will carry more weight than a one-credit �A.� LSAC sums all these weighted grade points, then divides by the total number of attempted credit hours to calculate your final GPA.
This method ensures that higher-credit courses (like semester-long core classes) have a proportionally greater impact on your GPA than one-credit electives or lab components. That�s why your course load distribution over your academic career can influence your LSAC GPA even if your grades were consistent.
Step 4: Including or Excluding Specific Courses
LSAC follows strict policies regarding what is included in GPA calculations:
Included in LSAC GPA:
- Graded courses from accredited U.S. and Canadian institutions
- Courses taken for academic credit (regardless of major)
- Failing grades, even if the course was later repeated
- Incomplete courses that were later assigned a letter grade
- Transfer credits with letter grades
Not included in LSAC GPA:
- Graduate-level coursework
- Withdrawals (unless assigned a punitive grade like �WF�)
- Pass/fail or credit/no credit courses (unless a letter grade is shown)
- Remedial or non-credit-bearing classes
- Foreign coursework (unless administered by a U.S. or Canadian institution)
Every course included is assessed according to the original grade on the transcript and the number of credit hours. These details are what makes the LSAC GPA often differ from your university GPA.
Step 5: Factoring in Special Cases Like Repeats and Withdrawals
A major point of difference between university GPA and LSAC GPA is how repeated courses and withdrawals are handled.
If you repeated a course, your college may have replaced the original grade or dropped it from the transcript GPA. However, LSAC will include both attempts in its calculation. This means a failed first attempt will still impact your LSAC GPA, even if you later earned an A.
Withdrawals marked as �W� are generally excluded from LSAC calculations, unless the transcript or institution assigns a grade to them that reflects academic performance. For example, a �WF� (withdrawal fail) may be treated as an F and counted as 0.00.
Likewise, courses taken as �Pass/Fail� are typically excluded�unless a failing grade is indicated, in which case it will be included and calculated as 0.00.
Step 6: Final Recalculation and GPA Report
Once all grades are converted, all credit hours tallied, and special cases resolved, LSAC performs a final recalculation. This produces a cumulative GPA and several breakdown GPAs, such as:
- GPA for each year of study
- GPA by institution
- GPA trend over time
These figures are included in the final Law School Report that LSAC sends to each law school you apply to. Schools then use your LSAC GPA in tandem with your LSAT score to make admissions decisions, and in many cases, to determine merit-based scholarships.
Knowing your LSAC GPA in advance is not just helpful � it�s strategic. It allows you to position yourself accurately, set realistic school targets, and decide whether further academic action is needed before applying.
Why LSAC GPA Matters for Law School Admissions
When applying to law schools in the United States or Canada, your LSAC GPA is one of the most influential academic metrics in your application file. While many applicants focus heavily on their LSAT score, the reality is that admissions committees typically review your LSAC GPA first, and in some cases, it plays an even bigger role in shaping your candidacy than the LSAT.
Understanding why the LSAC GPA holds such weight can help you prepare a stronger, more strategic application. Even a small difference in your LSAC GPA � compared to your university GPA � can affect which schools are within reach and whether you qualify for scholarships or competitive honors programs.
The LSAC GPA Is a Standardized Metric Used by All Law Schools
Law school admissions offices are tasked with evaluating thousands of applicants from hundreds of colleges and universities. Each of those institutions has its own grading system, policies for repeats, grade inflation practices, and GPA scales. Some schools cap grades at 4.0, while others award A+ grades as high as 4.33. Some count plus and minus modifiers; others do not. And some allow grade replacement for failed courses, while others include all attempts.
This inconsistency makes it nearly impossible for law schools to evaluate applicants fairly based solely on institutional GPAs.
That�s where the LSAC GPA comes in. It provides a uniform, recalculated GPA based on a fixed 4.33 scale and standardized inclusion criteria. Law schools trust this metric because it levels the playing field. It removes the noise of different grading systems and ensures that a 3.8 from one university means the same thing as a 3.8 from another � at least in LSAC�s eyes.
LSAC GPA Is Often the First Thing Admissions Officers Look At
While law schools consider many aspects of your application � including LSAT scores, personal statements, letters of recommendation, resumes, and diversity factors � the LSAC GPA is typically the first data point they look at when evaluating academic strength.
In fact, many law schools use an index formula that combines your LSAT score and LSAC GPA into a single number. This number is used to determine whether your application meets certain thresholds for automatic admission review, competitive scholarship consideration, or placement in a certain round of admissions.
For example, a common index formula might look like this:
LSAT Score x 0.4 + LSAC GPA x 15 = Index Score
In such formulas, even a 0.10 difference in LSAC GPA can move you above or below a critical threshold � potentially influencing whether you get in or how much financial aid you�re offered.
Your LSAC GPA May Be Lower Than Your Transcript GPA
A common mistake applicants make is assuming that their LSAC GPA will match the GPA listed on their transcript. This is often not the case.
There are several reasons why your LSAC GPA might be lower than expected:
A+ Grades Count for More (But Only If You Had Them)
Some universities treat an A and an A+ the same, giving both a 4.0 value. LSAC, however, treats an A+ as a 4.33. This benefits applicants who earned A+ grades. But if your school didn’t award A+ or capped all top grades at 4.0, your LSAC GPA may fall slightly below applicants from schools where A+ grades were common.
All Undergraduate Coursework Is Included
Your university GPA might exclude certain grades � such as community college courses, summer classes, or study abroad grades � especially if you transferred. LSAC, however, requires transcripts from all schools and includes every graded undergraduate course in your GPA. If you earned lower grades at another school before transferring, those will be factored into your LSAC GPA � even if your degree-granting institution does not include them in your final transcript GPA.
Failed Courses and Repeats Are Not Forgiven
If you failed a course and then retook it for a better grade, your university might allow the new grade to replace the old one. LSAC doesn�t do that. Both the failing grade and the replacement grade are included in the LSAC GPA, which often drags the average down.
A High LSAC GPA Can Increase Your Chances for Scholarships
Beyond admissions decisions, the LSAC GPA is a key component in scholarship awarding processes. Many law schools offer automatic merit scholarships to applicants with GPAs above a certain threshold. These scholarship formulas almost always rely on the LSAC-calculated GPA, not your institutional GPA.
For example:
- A law school may offer a $10,000/year scholarship for students with an LSAT of 165+ and an LSAC GPA of 3.75+
- Another might offer full tuition to students in the top 10% of LSAC GPA applicants, regardless of undergraduate major or school
In both cases, a 3.75 LSAC GPA could qualify you for significant financial aid � while a 3.68 might not, even if your university GPA says 3.85. That�s why using a Free LSAC GPA Calculator before applying is a smart step. It gives you clarity about how schools will see your record and whether you�re likely to qualify for merit-based aid.
Admissions Trends Are Tied to LSAC GPA Data
Law schools are required to submit data to the American Bar Association (ABA), including the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAC GPAs of their admitted students. These numbers are publicly available in ABA 509 reports and are widely analyzed by pre-law advisors, applicants, and law school ranking organizations.
This means your LSAC GPA doesn�t just influence your chances of admission � it becomes a data point in law school rankings. As a result, schools are incentivized to maintain high median LSAC GPAs among their incoming classes. This makes your recalculated GPA even more important from a strategic admissions perspective.
Bottom Line: The LSAC GPA Is Not Optional � It’s Central
Whether you’re applying to Harvard Law or a regional law school, your LSAC GPA is unavoidable. Every ABA-approved law school uses it. Every admissions officer understands it. And every applicant is judged by it.
That’s why:
- You should know your LSAC GPA early
- You should never rely on just your university GPA
- You should use tools like a Free LSAC GPA Calculator to estimate your true standing
By understanding how LSAC recalculates your academic performance � and why that recalculation matters � you give yourself an advantage in building a stronger, more competitive law school application.
LSAC GPA Conversion Scale (4.33)
When applying to law schools through the Law School Admission Council�s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), it�s important to understand that your grades will be translated into a standardized 4.33 GPA scale � even if your university uses a different grading system. This recalibration process, handled entirely by LSAC, ensures that applicants from all institutions are compared fairly and consistently.
The LSAC GPA Conversion Scale is different from what most students are used to. While many colleges and universities use a 4.0 scale, LSAC applies its own numerical values to letter grades, with the highest grade � an A+ � receiving a full 4.33 points. This might seem like a small technical detail, but in the highly competitive law school admissions process, these point differences can significantly impact your overall GPA and ultimately your chances of admission or scholarship eligibility.
Why LSAC Uses the 4.33 Scale
The goal of LSAC�s GPA conversion system is to eliminate discrepancies that result from varied institutional grading policies. Some universities don�t differentiate between an A and an A+ � both count as 4.0. Others might assign slightly different values for plus or minus modifiers (such as 3.67 for B+ or 2.70 for B?). In contrast, LSAC assigns precise, uniform values to each possible grade, ensuring that everyone�s academic record is evaluated on the same terms.
This consistency is vital because law schools admit students from a wide range of institutions � Ivy League schools, large public universities, small liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and international programs. Without a uniform scale, comparing applicants’ academic performance would be subjective and potentially unfair. That�s why LSAC�s 4.33 scale is used across the board for every applicant who applies through CAS.
LSAC GPA Conversion Table
Here is how LSAC converts letter grades into numeric values under their 4.33 GPA system:
- A+ = 4.33
- A = 4.00
- A? = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.00
- B? = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.00
- C? = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.00
- D? = 0.67
- F = 0.00
This table is strictly enforced by LSAC regardless of how your institution originally valued the grades. Even if your university awarded 4.0 points for an A+ or calculated a B? as 2.70 instead of 2.67, LSAC will recalculate those values according to their chart.
Key Differences from University GPA Systems
Let�s break down how LSAC�s GPA scale differs from many traditional university GPA systems, and why that matters for law school applicants.
A+ Is Worth More Than 4.0
Most universities cap their grading scale at 4.0, meaning an A+ doesn�t give you any additional benefit beyond an A. LSAC, however, assigns an A+ a value of 4.33, giving applicants who earned A+ grades a tangible advantage. If your institution awarded A+ grades but didn�t give them extra weight, your LSAC GPA may be higher than your transcript GPA.
No Rounding of Plus or Minus Grades
Some schools round GPAs slightly or use unconventional point values (e.g., 3.67 for B+, 2.70 for B?). LSAC does not round or inflate values � a B? is always worth 2.67 in LSAC�s system. If your institution used a more lenient system, your LSAC GPA could end up lower than what you see on your transcript.
Honors and AP Course Weighting Not Included
At the high school level, honors, AP, or IB courses often receive a GPA �bump� � sometimes giving students 5.0 or more for advanced work. However, LSAC�s GPA system does not assign any additional weight to honors or advanced-level college courses. An A in a regular course counts the same as an A in a difficult upper-division or honors seminar.
That means you�re not rewarded for course rigor when it comes to LSAC GPA � only the grade you earned matters.
How the LSAC GPA Conversion Scale Affects You
If you�re wondering whether this system benefits or hurts you, the answer depends on your specific academic history.
You May Benefit If:
- You earned multiple A+ grades at a school that didn�t reward them with extra GPA points.
- You received strong grades in lower-credit courses (which can have a proportionally higher impact on your GPA if the grades are high).
- You attended a school that strictly capped GPA at 4.0 and didn�t use plus/minus modifiers � LSAC�s broader scale could slightly raise your average.
You May Be Hurt If:
- You relied on grade replacement policies that excluded failing grades � LSAC includes all attempts.
- You earned B? grades that were calculated as 2.70 at your university but get reduced to 2.67 by LSAC.
- Your university offered pass/fail options to protect your GPA � LSAC does not count pass/fail courses unless a failing grade was given.
Even subtle differences in grade values add up quickly when calculated across dozens of credit hours. That�s why understanding this scale � and using it to estimate your GPA � can be a game changer for law school admissions planning.
No Need to Memorize � Our LSAC GPA Calculator Uses This Scale Automatically
The good news is that you don�t need to manually apply the 4.33 conversion scale or memorize the values for every letter grade. Our Free LSAC GPA Calculator is already programmed with LSAC�s exact point values, weighting system, and credit-hour calculations. All you need to do is input your letter grades and associated credit hours, and the calculator will provide a near-instant estimate of your true LSAC GPA.
This allows you to:
- Evaluate where you stand before submitting your law school applications
- Strategically plan retakes or additional coursework
- Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships or honors programs
- Identify whether your GPA needs to be balanced with a higher LSAT score
If you�re serious about law school admissions, don�t rely on your university GPA alone. Try our LSAC GPA calculator and see how your grades translate on the scale that law schools actually use.
How to Use the LSAC GPA Calculator
The LSAC GPA Calculator is designed to simplify a complex process � converting your transcript grades into the exact format LSAC uses when evaluating law school applicants. Our calculator uses the official 4.33 LSAC scale, automatically accounts for credit hour weighting, and updates your GPA in real time as you enter your courses.
Even though LSAC will officially recalculate your GPA after you submit your transcripts through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS), having an early estimate gives you a serious strategic advantage. You�ll know where you stand before applying, what schools are within reach, and whether your GPA needs to be balanced by a higher LSAT score.
Here�s a detailed guide to help you get the most out of the LSAC GPA Calculator.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the LSAC GPA Calculator
Using our calculator is fast, easy, and doesn�t require any sign-up or technical knowledge. You can enter your courses manually and instantly see how your GPA evolves as you go.
Step 1: Enter the Course Name (Optional)
The first field in the calculator allows you to enter the course name or title. This step is optional, but highly recommended � especially if you�re entering multiple courses across several semesters or institutions.
Including the course name helps you:
- Keep track of what you�ve entered
- Spot any duplicates or missing classes
- Cross-reference with your official transcript
- Save or screenshot the calculator results for later review
Example: Instead of just entering a grade, write �Intro to Political Science� or �ENG 101 � Composition.�
This is particularly helpful if you�ve taken dozens of courses and want to audit your entries later to verify the accuracy of your estimated LSAC GPA.
Step 2: Select Your Letter Grade
The next step is to choose the grade you earned in the course from a dropdown menu. Our calculator includes the full range of LSAC-recognized grades, from A+ (4.33) down to F (0.00).
The available options reflect LSAC�s strict conversion scale:
- A+ = 4.33
- A = 4.00
- A? = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.00
- B? = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.00
- C? = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.00
- D? = 0.67
- F = 0.00
Simply select the grade that appears on your transcript. If you repeated a course or received a failing grade and retook it, be sure to enter both attempts as separate entries � just like LSAC will do when calculating your official GPA.
Step 3: Enter the Course�s Credit Hours
Next, enter the credit hours for that specific course. Most college courses in the U.S. are worth 3 credit hours, but this can vary:
- Lecture courses: typically 3 or 4 credits
- Labs or seminars: often 1�2 credits
- Physical education or electives: sometimes 1 credit
- Intensive or accelerated courses: may be 5+ credits
Check your transcript or course catalog to verify how many credit hours each class carried. This is important because LSAC calculates your GPA as a weighted average, meaning that high-credit courses have more impact than lower-credit ones.
Example: If you received an A in a 4-credit class, that earns you more total GPA points than an A in a 1-credit course.
Step 4: Click �Add Course� for Additional Entries
Once you�ve filled in the course name, letter grade, and credit hours, click the Add Course button. This adds your entry to the table and updates the running totals.
You can repeat this process for as many courses as you like � across semesters, schools, or years. The calculator will tally up your:
- Total number of credits attempted
- Total number of GPA points earned
- Final cumulative LSAC GPA
All of this happens instantly, without needing to reload the page or press “calculate.” It�s a dynamic tool that reflects changes in real time, which makes it perfect for exploring scenarios � like retaking a class or adding a new course.
Step 5: Review Your Totals and Adjust as Needed
After you�ve entered all of your courses, scroll down to review your results. You�ll see three key values:
- Total Credit Hours � The total number of credit hours you’ve entered.
- Total Grade Points � The sum of all grade points, weighted by credit hours.
- LSAC GPA � Your recalculated GPA on the LSAC 4.33 scale.
If the GPA seems off or lower than expected, double-check the entries:
- Did you accidentally enter the wrong grade?
- Did you mislabel credit hours (e.g., 3 instead of 4)?
- Did you forget to include community college or transfer credits?
You can easily go back and edit, delete, or add courses to fine-tune your estimate. The calculator is designed for flexibility, so you can experiment with different scenarios � like seeing how a retake would affect your average.
Why This Tool Is Incredibly Useful for Law School Applicants
This calculator gives you a preview of how law schools will view your academic record � long before you officially apply. That makes it a powerful tool for making decisions like:
- Should you retake a course to improve your record?
- Do you need a higher LSAT score to balance out a lower LSAC GPA?
- Are you a strong candidate for scholarship programs based on GPA?
- How does your GPA compare to the median scores at your target schools?
While LSAC will eventually provide an official GPA, that process can take weeks after transcript submission. This calculator helps you prepare months in advance, make adjustments if needed, and submit a stronger application overall.
Tips for Improving Your LSAC GPA
Improving your LSAC GPA can significantly boost your chances of admission to competitive law schools � and even qualify you for merit-based scholarships. Since LSAC recalculates your GPA based on its own strict guidelines, it�s essential to understand what you can and can�t control, and how to use that information to your advantage before submitting your law school applications.
While you can�t change the past, there are smart, strategic steps you can take now to optimize your academic record under LSAC’s rules.
Retake Courses Where You Earned a Low Grade (If Allowed)
One of the most direct ways to improve your LSAC GPA is by retaking courses in which you earned a poor grade. While LSAC does not replace old grades with new ones � both attempts will be included in the GPA � the improved grade will still raise your average by increasing the total grade points.
Why Retaking a Class Still Helps
Let�s say you received an F (0.00) in a 3-credit course and retake it for an A (4.00). LSAC will include both attempts, but your GPA will improve because you’re adding positive points to the total.
Original:
3 credits � 0.00 = 0.00 points
After retake:
3 credits � 4.00 = 12.00 additional points
Cumulative:
6 credits (3 F + 3 A) = 12 total points ? LSAC GPA for that course = 2.00
It�s not a perfect solution, but the improvement is meaningful � especially if the failed course was worth multiple credits. Repeat this across several classes, and the impact becomes substantial.
When Retaking Isn�t Worth It
- If the original grade was a C or higher, retaking may not shift your LSAC GPA significantly unless it�s a high-credit course.
- If the course had few credit hours (e.g., 1 or 2), the impact on your GPA will be minimal.
Be selective and prioritize retaking low-grade, high-credit courses first.
Focus on High-Credit Courses to Maximize GPA Impact
Since LSAC uses a credit-weighted GPA formula, courses with more credit hours have a greater influence on your average. Earning top grades in high-credit courses will have a disproportionately positive impact on your LSAC GPA.
Why Credit Hours Matter
Your GPA is calculated by dividing your total grade points by the number of credit hours attempted. That means:
- A 4-credit A = 16 grade points
- A 1-credit A = 4 grade points
If you’re looking to improve your LSAC GPA fast, aim to take courses worth 3�5 credits where you�re confident in your ability to earn an A or A+. This could include:
- Core major requirements
- Electives in your area of strength
- Upper-level writing or discussion-based courses
On the flip side, if you�re unsure about your ability to earn a strong grade, avoid taking unnecessary high-credit classes in unfamiliar or difficult subject areas � the risk may outweigh the reward.
Balance Challenging Courses with GPA-Boosters
It�s important to challenge yourself academically, especially if you’re aiming for top-tier law schools. However, your GPA is still one of the most critical data points in the admissions process. That�s why many successful applicants strategically manage their course load to strike a balance between difficult and GPA-friendly classes.
Build a GPA-Optimized Semester Plan
- Don�t overload on difficult courses in the same term (e.g., Organic Chemistry, Advanced Logic, and Constitutional Law all in one semester).
- Pair tough classes with electives or general education courses where you know you can earn top grades.
- Take skill-based or participation-heavy courses that tend to award higher grades (e.g., public speaking, art appreciation, debate).
This approach not only protects your LSAC GPA but also prevents burnout, which can negatively impact your overall performance.
Be Mindful of Timing
If you’re entering your final semesters before applying to law school, the stakes are even higher. The grades you earn now will be the last ones LSAC includes in your GPA, and they�re often seen by admissions officers as indicators of your academic maturity and recent trajectory.
Understand How Withdrawals and Pass/Fail Grades Are Treated
Many students use withdrawals and pass/fail options to protect their GPA � but these don’t always work the way you think when it comes to LSAC’s calculations.
Withdrawals
- A �W� or �Withdrawn� grade is not factored into your LSAC GPA � as long as it�s non-punitive and clearly labeled.
- A �WF� or �Withdrawal-Failing� may be counted as an F (0.00), depending on how your institution treats it.
- Multiple W�s on your transcript can raise red flags during application review, even if they don�t impact your GPA numerically.
Pass/Fail Courses
- Pass grades (P, CR, S) are generally not included in LSAC GPA calculations.
- Fail grades (F, NC, U) are included and calculated as 0.00, even in pass/fail courses.
If you�re given the choice between letter grading and pass/fail, always opt for a letter grade if you’re confident in earning a B or higher. This will help you earn more grade points toward your LSAC GPA. If you’re unsure, pass/fail may protect your GPA � but it won�t help it.
Bonus Tips: Strategize Across Multiple Institutions (If Applicable)
If you�re still completing your undergraduate degree or planning to take post-baccalaureate classes, you might consider:
- Taking GPA-boosting courses at an institution known for more generous grading
- Registering for online or summer classes where high grades are achievable
- Confirming that any institution you enroll in is regionally accredited so that LSAC will include the grades
Just remember: even if your primary institution doesn�t count these courses in its final GPA, LSAC will include them if they meet the criteria.
Final Thoughts
Improving your LSAC GPA isn’t just about fixing bad grades � it’s about understanding the system, making smart academic choices, and being strategic about where and how you earn your remaining undergraduate credits.
Key takeaways:
- Retake low-grade courses if possible � every point helps.
- Target high-credit courses where you can perform well.
- Balance your semesters between challenging and GPA-friendly classes.
- Avoid unnecessary risks with pass/fail or repeat withdrawals.
- Use our LSAC GPA Calculator frequently to test different scenarios and monitor your progress.
Even small increases in your LSAC GPA can make a big difference in law school admissions and scholarships. With the right planning, you can take control of your academic narrative and give yourself a competitive edge.
Common Mistakes When Estimating LSAC GPA
Estimating your LSAC GPA before applying to law school is a smart move � it gives you insight into how law schools will assess your academic record and helps you plan your application strategy. However, many applicants make critical mistakes when trying to calculate their LSAC GPA on their own. These errors can lead to a false sense of confidence or, worse, unnecessary anxiety over a GPA that appears lower than it truly is.
If you�re using a tool like our Free LSAC GPA Calculator, it�s important to input your information correctly and understand LSAC�s specific rules. Below are the most common mistakes students make when estimating their LSAC GPA � and how to avoid them.
Using a 4.0 Scale Instead of the 4.33 Scale
One of the most frequent and fundamental mistakes is calculating your GPA on the traditional 4.0 scale rather than LSAC�s 4.33 scale. Most U.S. colleges use a 4.0 grading system, and many students naturally assume that�s what law schools will use to evaluate their academic performance.
However, the LSAC GPA recalculates every letter grade using its own standardized 4.33 scale, which assigns the following values:
- A+ = 4.33
- A = 4.00
- A? = 3.67
- B+ = 3.33
- B = 3.00
- B? = 2.67
- C+ = 2.33
- C = 2.00
- C? = 1.67
- D+ = 1.33
- D = 1.00
- D? = 0.67
- F = 0.00
Failing to use the correct scale leads to GPA miscalculations that can be off by tenths of a point � enough to affect your chances at certain law schools or make you overlook a scholarship threshold.
Solution: Always use the 4.33 LSAC conversion chart or an official LSAC GPA Calculator that applies this scale automatically.
Forgetting to Include Transfer Credits
Another common error is leaving out transfer courses or classes taken at other institutions. Many students only include coursework from their degree-granting university, assuming that other grades don’t matter because they’ve already been transferred and recorded.
But LSAC has a very different rule: Every undergraduate course from every institution must be included.
This includes:
- Community college courses
- Dual enrollment courses from high school
- Summer sessions at different universities
- Study abroad credits issued by U.S. or Canadian institutions
- Post-baccalaureate undergraduate courses
Even if your main university accepted the credits without including the grades in your transcript GPA, LSAC still requires the original transcripts and recalculates those grades into your LSAC GPA.
Solution: Collect transcripts from every U.S. or Canadian institution you’ve attended and include every graded course when estimating your LSAC GPA.
Ignoring the Effect of Low-Credit Courses on Your Average
Many applicants forget that LSAC calculates GPA as a weighted average based on credit hours. This means that courses with more credits carry more weight, while low-credit courses � even if you earned an A+ � may not significantly affect your GPA.
Let�s compare:
- A 4-credit A+ earns 17.32 total grade points (4.33 � 4)
- A 1-credit A+ earns only 4.33 points
If you earn an A+ in several 1-credit gym or seminar classes but struggle in a few 4-credit courses, your GPA won�t be saved by the smaller courses � the heavier classes dominate your average.
Solution: When entering courses into the calculator, always include the accurate credit hours, and focus on improving performance in high-credit courses, especially core and major requirements.
Miscounting Repeated Courses
Repeated courses can be confusing � especially if your school has a grade forgiveness policy that removes the earlier attempt from your transcript GPA. Many students assume they only need to include the most recent grade when calculating their LSAC GPA. That�s a big mistake.
LSAC includes both attempts when a course is repeated, regardless of how your university handled it.
Example:
- You got an F in Economics 101 (3 credits)
- You retook it and earned an A
Your university may only count the A in your GPA. LSAC will count both:
- F (3 credits � 0.00 = 0 points)
- A (3 credits � 4.00 = 12 points)
- Total = 6 credits and 12 points ? LSAC GPA for that course = 2.00
This significantly lowers the overall average � especially if you repeated multiple courses. Miscounting repeats can give you an inflated estimate of your LSAC GPA.
Solution: Always include both the original and repeated grades in your GPA calculation � even if your school didn�t.
Additional Mistakes to Watch For
While the four listed above are the most common, here are a few other things to watch out for when estimating your LSAC GPA:
Skipping Withdrawals or Assuming They Count
Withdrawals that show as �W� or �Withdrawn� typically don�t count toward your GPA. But �WF� (Withdrawn Failing) may be counted as a 0.00. Don’t assume that all non-completions are ignored.
Leaving Out Incomplete or In-Progress Grades
If you have any incomplete grades that later received a letter grade, they must be included. “In Progress” courses that are not yet graded should be left out until final grades are issued.
Counting Graduate Courses
LSAC only includes undergraduate coursework in the LSAC GPA. Any graduate-level courses (even if graded) are excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you�re applying to law school through LSAC�s Credential Assembly Service (CAS), chances are you have questions about how your GPA is calculated, how it differs from your university�s system, and what law schools actually see. Below are the most frequently asked questions about the LSAC GPA � answered in full detail to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
Does LSAC count my graduate school GPA?
No. LSAC only calculates your undergraduate GPA for law school admissions.
Your LSAC GPA includes undergraduate coursework only, even if you�ve completed graduate-level classes or earned a master�s or doctoral degree. Any grades you earned after completing your bachelor�s degree � even if they were excellent � are excluded from the LSAC-calculated GPA.
That said, law schools can still view your graduate transcripts as part of your overall academic profile. While these graduate grades may support your application qualitatively (especially in fields like legal studies, policy, or public administration), they are not part of the standardized LSAC GPA that law schools use for statistical or comparative purposes.
What if my school doesn�t give letter grades?
LSAC will convert your grades or marks to their closest letter grade equivalent using official guidelines.
If you attended a school that uses a different grading system � such as percentages, narrative evaluations, numeric marks, or even symbols � LSAC has established conversion formulas to translate those marks into standard U.S. letter grades.
For example:
- A 90�100% range might be converted to an A (4.00)
- A 75�79% might be a B (3.00)
- A 60�64% might be a D (1.00)
These conversions are based on official documentation from your institution or general equivalency charts. LSAC evaluators are trained to handle domestic and international variations and will apply the most appropriate match based on the grading context.
This ensures that even applicants from schools with unconventional or non-letter-based systems are evaluated fairly and consistently alongside students from traditional American or Canadian universities.
Can my LSAC GPA be higher than my school GPA?
Yes. In some cases, your LSAC GPA may actually be higher than your institutional GPA.
While many applicants assume LSAC will lower their GPA, that�s not always true. In fact, some students discover that their LSAC GPA is slightly higher due to the way LSAC handles A+ grades and certain grading policies.
Here�s why your LSAC GPA might be higher:
- A+ grades are worth 4.33 in LSAC�s system. If your university capped A+ at 4.0, you weren�t rewarded for that extra achievement � but LSAC will count it as 4.33.
- If your school used a 4.0 scale with no plus/minus modifiers, LSAC�s use of finer granularity (like 4.33 for A+, 3.67 for A?) may improve your weighted average.
- In rare cases, transfer credits with high grades that weren�t included in your final transcript GPA might be factored into your LSAC GPA � potentially increasing it.
Keep in mind, however, that this is not the norm. Most students find their LSAC GPA is slightly lower due to the inclusion of repeated courses, community college grades, or early academic missteps.
Do law schools see both GPAs?
Yes. Law schools will see both your original transcript GPA and your LSAC-calculated GPA.
When you apply through LSAC�s Credential Assembly Service, each law school you apply to receives a Law School Report that includes:
- Your official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
- Your institutional GPA as recorded by each school
- Your LSAC-calculated GPA based on the standardized 4.33 scale
- A breakdown of your GPA by year, institution, and cumulative average
While the LSAC GPA is the primary metric used for comparison (and reported in law school statistics), admissions committees often look at both GPAs in context. For example, if you had a rough first year but improved over time, or if your institutional GPA was affected by a single transfer semester, schools may take that into account during holistic review.
That�s why it�s useful to understand both metrics � and to use tools like the Free LSAC GPA Calculator to estimate how your academic record appears from both perspectives.
Want to Learn More?
If you still have questions about how LSAC calculates your GPA or how to improve your academic profile for law school admissions, check out our other detailed guides:
- How LSAC Calculates GPA
- Tips for Improving Your LSAC GPA
- LSAC GPA vs University GPA: What�s the Real Difference?
- Using the LSAC GPA Calculator to Plan Ahead
Our calculator is designed with pre-law students in mind, using the exact LSAC 4.33 scale and credit-weighted averaging system. It�s free, instant, and built to help you predict your admissions standing before you apply.
