Free tool · UK athletes
GCSE and A-level to US GPA calculator
Turn your GCSE, A-level, Scottish or BTEC grades into an estimated US GPA, and see how it compares with what NCAA and NAIA universities need.
The short answer
To convert UK grades to a US GPA, each subject grade is turned into grade points on a 4.0 scale and averaged. As a guide, GCSE grades 9 to 7 count as an A (4.0), 6 and 5 as a B (3.0), 4 as a C (2.0) and 3 as a D (1.0). A* and A at A-level count as an A. NCAA Division I needs a core-course GPA of at least 2.3.
Work out your US GPA
Pick the qualification and grade for each subject. Untick Core for non-academic subjects like PE; the NCAA only counts core subjects.
We'll check your estimate against the official NCAA rules, tell you where you stand for Division I, Division II and NAIA, and what to do if you're close.
How your grades convert
These are the conversions our calculator uses. They are deliberately conservative, so treat your result as a starting point rather than a final figure.
GCSE (9 to 1)
| Your grade | US letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| 9, 8, 7 | A | 4.0 |
| 6, 5 | B | 3.0 |
| 4 | C | 2.0 |
| 3 | D | 1.0 |
| 2, 1, U | F | 0 |
AS and A-level
| Your grade | US letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A*, A | A | 4.0 |
| B | B | 3.0 |
| C | C | 2.0 |
| D, E | D | 1.0 |
| U | F | 0 |
National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher
| Your grade | US letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A | A | 4.0 |
| B | B | 3.0 |
| C | C | 2.0 |
| D | D | 1.0 |
| No award | F | 0 |
BTEC
| Your grade | US letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| D*, D | A | 4.0 |
| M | B | 3.0 |
| P | C | 2.0 |
| U | F | 0 |
IB Diploma subjects (1 to 7)
| Your grade | US letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|
| 7, 6 | A | 4.0 |
| 5 | B | 3.0 |
| 4 | C | 2.0 |
| 3 | D | 1.0 |
| 2, 1 | F | 0 |
Which years count
US universities look at your last four years of secondary school: Years 10 to 13 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or S3 to S6 in Scotland. Your GCSE or National 5 grades are a big part of the GPA coaches see when they first look at you, and your predicted A-level or Higher grades complete the picture.
What GPA do US universities need?
These are minimums to compete. Many universities, and the best academic scholarships, ask for more. A higher GPA also widens the list of programmes that can recruit you.
Frequently asked questions
How do GCSE grades convert to a US GPA?
As a guide, GCSE grades 9, 8 and 7 convert to an A (4.0), 6 and 5 to a B (3.0), 4 to a C (2.0) and 3 to a D (1.0). Grades 2, 1 and U count as an F. Your GPA is the average across your subjects.
Is a grade 4 at GCSE a pass for US universities?
A grade 4 converts to roughly a C, or 2.0 on the US scale. That counts as a pass, but NCAA Division I needs an average of at least 2.3 across your core courses, so a mix of 4s and 5s is borderline.
What is an A* at A-level in GPA?
An A* or A at A-level counts as an A, which is 4.0 on the US scale.
Do US universities look at my GCSEs or my A-levels?
Both. US universities look at Years 10 to 13 (S3 to S6 in Scotland), so your GCSE or National 5 results and your AS, A-level or Higher grades all count.
What GPA do I need for a US sports scholarship?
For NCAA Division I you need 16 approved core courses with a core-course GPA of at least 2.3, and for Division II at least 2.2. The NAIA typically looks for a GPA of about 2.0, while Division III universities and junior colleges set their own entry standards.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
No. SAT and ACT scores have not been needed for NCAA Division I and II eligibility since January 2023. Standards can change, so we check the current rules with every athlete.
How accurate is this GPA calculator?
Our calculator uses a conservative scale (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0) so you do not overestimate. Official evaluations are made by the NCAA Eligibility Center and each university, and some admissions offices read A-level and IB grades more generously.
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