CASPA GPA Calculator

Every graded course from every accredited institution you attended, including all retakes. This is the number most programs list as a minimum requirement. A 3.0 cGPA is the floor for most programs; competitive applicants average 3.5+.

All natural science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, plus Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and other hard sciences. This is the primary science metric PA programs use — not BCP. Math and social sciences are excluded.

Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses only. A narrower subset of sGPA reported separately by CASPA. Some programs specifically cite BCP as a benchmark. If your sGPA and BCP GPA are very different, it signals heavy weight in anatomy/physiology vs. core sciences.

Your most recent 60 semester credit hours, counted backward chronologically. Designed to reward applicants who struggled early but showed significant improvement. A strong last-60 GPA is one of the best ways to offset a weaker overall cGPA.

You took Biology I and got a C (2.0). You retook it the following semester and got an A (4.0). You also took 7 other courses and earned a B (3.0) in each, plus one course where you earned an A− (3.7).

The difference: 3.02 vs. 2.97. Five hundredths of a GPA point separates "you meet the minimum" from "you don't." This is why applicants using standard GPA calculators are sometimes blindsided when CASPA returns their verified GPA.

Includes all attempts. The two retakes lower this from what a replacement-grade calculator would show.

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, A&P, Microbiology, Biochemistry. Math and Other excluded.

Lower than sGPA because the retaken Chemistry and Org Chem grades drag it down.

Since this profile is exactly 60 credits, Last 60 = cGPA. With 90+ credits, more recent semesters would dominate.

General Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, Zoology, Botany — counts toward sGPA and BCP

General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry — counts toward sGPA and BCP

Physics I & II, Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism — counts toward sGPA and BCP

Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Pathophysiology — counts toward sGPA only, NOT BCP

Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra — does NOT count as science in CASPA

Psychology, Sociology, English, History, Business, Computer Science — not counted as science

W — Withdrawal

Withdrawals are completely excluded from all four GPA calculations. A W adds no quality points and counts as zero credit hours toward any GPA. However, every W is visible on your CASPA application and to every program you apply to. Multiple withdrawals — especially in science courses — may be raised during interviews. A single W for a documented reason (illness, family emergency) is rarely disqualifying.

P/F — Pass/Fail Courses

Pass grades (P) are excluded from all GPA calculations — they carry no quality points and do not count as earned credit hours in CASPA's formula. Fail grades from P/F courses depend on how they appear on your transcript: if they show as "F" they are included (0.0 quality points × credits); if they show as "NC" (no credit) or "U" (unsatisfactory) without an F, CASPA typically excludes them. Check your transcript carefully.

AP and IB Credits

AP and IB credits only count toward your CASPA GPA if they appear on your college transcript with an assigned letter grade. Credits that transferred in as "Advanced Placement Credit," "Exam Credit," or similar — with no letter grade — are excluded from GPA calculations. AP Biology with a grade of A counts toward sGPA and BCP; AP Biology listed as "4 credits by examination" with no grade does not.

Community College and Transfer Credits

CASPA includes all coursework from any regionally accredited institution. There is no penalty for community college courses — a B+ in Organic Chemistry at a community college carries exactly the same weight as a B+ at a research university. You must report every transcript from every institution you attended. If you fail to report a transcript and CASPA finds a discrepancy, you risk a temporary or permanent application ban.

Graduate Coursework

Graduate courses are included in your cumulative GPA. CASPA also reports a separate post-baccalaureate and graduate GPA. Importantly, a C in a graduate-level Advanced Biochemistry course hurts your cGPA more than it helps signal intelligence — grade difficulty is not weighted. An A in a straightforward community college biology course contributes just as much to your GPA as an A in graduate Pathophysiology.

What is a CASPA GPA and how is it different from my transcript GPA?

CASPA calculates your GPA independently from your college transcript using its own rules. The most critical difference is that CASPA includes every attempt at every course — if you retook a class, both the original grade and the retake are counted. Your transcript may only show the most recent grade. CASPA also splits your GPA into four separate metrics: cumulative (cGPA), science (sGPA), BCP, and last 60 credits.

What is the difference between CASPA science GPA (sGPA) and BCP GPA?

Science GPA (sGPA) includes all natural science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, plus courses like Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Neuroscience. BCP GPA is a narrower subset — Biology, Chemistry, and Physics only. Both are reported by CASPA, but sGPA is the primary metric PA programs use. Math and social sciences like Psychology are excluded from both.

Does CASPA average a course and its retake?

No — this is a critical misconception. CASPA does NOT average the original grade and the retake. Both grades are included separately in your GPA calculation. For example: if you took a 3-credit course, got a C (2.0), then retook it and got an A (4.0), CASPA treats this as two separate 3-credit courses worth 2.0 and 4.0 respectively — not one course worth 3.0. This gives you a lower GPA than averaging would, and has caused many applicants to miscalculate whether they meet a 3.0 minimum.

What courses count toward CASPA science GPA?

CASPA science GPA includes all natural science coursework: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Genetics, Neuroscience, Immunology, Pathophysiology, and similar courses. Math courses (Calculus, Statistics) do NOT count as science in CASPA. Social sciences like Psychology and Sociology also do not count, even though they have "science" in their name.

What GPA do I need for PA school?

Most PA programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. A few programs accept 2.75. Competitive candidates at top programs typically have a 3.5+ cumulative GPA and 3.4+ science GPA. On pre-PA forums like Reddit's r/prephysicianassistant, the WAMC (What Are My Chances) consensus is that a 3.9+ cGPA with 2,000+ PCE hours puts you in a strong position at most programs. Below 3.0, your options narrow significantly; below 2.75, almost all programs are out of reach without GPA repair.

How does CASPA handle W (withdrawal) grades?

Withdrawal grades (W) are excluded from all CASPA GPA calculations — they contribute no quality points and do not count as credit hours. However, multiple withdrawals are visible to programs and may invite questions in interviews or secondary applications. A small number of Ws, especially from early in your academic career, are generally not disqualifying.

Do Pass/Fail courses count toward CASPA GPA?

Pass grades (P) are excluded from all CASPA GPA calculations — they count neither as quality points nor credit hours. Fail grades in a P/F course are treated differently by different institutions; check your transcript to see whether a failed P/F course shows as "F" or "NC" (no credit). If it shows as F, CASPA will include it.

Do AP credits count in CASPA GPA?

AP credits only count if they appear on your college transcript with a letter grade. If they appear as "credit by examination," "advanced standing," or without a grade, they are excluded from GPA calculations. AP credits that transferred in as specific courses with a grade are included and count toward whichever GPA category matches the subject (e.g., AP Biology counts toward sGPA and BCP GPA).

Do community college or online courses count toward CASPA GPA?

Yes — CASPA includes all coursework from regionally accredited institutions, including community colleges, online courses, and transfer credits. There is no discount or penalty for where the course was taken. A B in General Chemistry at a community college counts exactly the same as a B at a four-year university.

What is the Last 60 Credits GPA and why does it matter?

The Last 60 Credits GPA uses your most recent 60 semester credit hours, counted backward chronologically from your most recent courses. It is designed to reward applicants who struggled early but demonstrated consistent improvement. A strong last-60 GPA (3.5+) with an upward trend is a significant positive factor when your overall GPA is borderline.