Science GPA Calculator
Calculate your BCPM science GPA — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math — exactly as AMCAS and AACOMAS report it on your medical school application. See your total GPA, science GPA, and non-science GPA instantly.
BCPM includes Math in AMCAS and AACOMAS — unlike CASPA which excludes Math from science GPA. Anatomy, Physiology, and Psychology are not BCPM; classify them as Other Science or Non-Science.
| Course Name | Category | Grade | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
What Counts as BCPM?
BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. Every course you take in these four areas counts toward your science GPA — while everything else counts only toward your cumulative GPA.
General Biology I & II, Cell Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Ecology, Zoology, Molecular Biology, Botany
General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
Physics I & II (calculus or algebra-based), Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Biophysics, Modern Physics
Calculus I & II, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Biostatistics (if in Math dept)
Anatomy, Physiology, Neuroscience, Immunology, Computer Science, Epidemiology — contributes to cumulative but NOT BCPM
Psychology, Sociology, English, History, Business, Foreign Language, Economics, Philosophy
AMCAS vs AACOMAS vs CASPA: Science GPA Comparison
The three main health professions application systems define science GPA differently. Knowing the differences prevents miscalculating your GPA before you apply.
| AMCAS (MD) | AACOMAS (DO) | CASPA (PA) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programs | MD (allopathic) | DO (osteopathic) | Physician Assistant |
| Science label | BCPM | BCPM | BCP (no Math) |
| Biology | ✓ Science | ✓ Science | ✓ Science |
| Chemistry | ✓ Science | ✓ Science | ✓ Science |
| Physics | ✓ Science | ✓ Science | ✓ Science |
| Math | ✓ Science | ✓ Science | ✗ Non-science |
| Anatomy/Physio | ✗ Other science | ✗ Other science | ✓ Science (sGPA) |
| Retake policy | Standard (best grade) | Standard (best grade) | ALL attempts counted |
| Avg accepted GPA | 3.73 total / 3.69 sci | 3.54 total / 3.48 sci | 3.2+ total / 3.0+ sci |
Science GPA Benchmarks for Medical School
Average GPAs of accepted applicants, based on published AAMC and AACOMAS data.
How to Improve Your Science GPA
Science GPA is harder to raise than cumulative GPA because the course pool is smaller. Every grade carries more weight.
Take additional BCPM courses
More science credits dilute the impact of old bad grades. A post-bacc year of strong science performance can meaningfully raise your science GPA even with prior Cs on record.
Retake strategically
Unlike CASPA, AMCAS and AACOMAS use grade replacement for retaken courses (most recent grade replaces the original). Retaking a C to earn an A directly raises your BCPM GPA.
Prioritise BCPM over electives
Taking easy A electives raises your cumulative GPA but does nothing for your science GPA. Focus on getting strong grades in BCPM courses to move the number that matters most.
Understand the math
With 60 science credits, raising your science GPA from 3.0 to 3.5 requires roughly 30 additional science credits with a 4.0 average. Use the GPA Goal Calculator to run your specific numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything pre-med students need to know about BCPM science GPA for medical school applications.
What is a science GPA and how is it calculated?
Science GPA (also called BCPM GPA) is a separate GPA calculated using only Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math courses. Medical school applications through AMCAS and DO applications through AACOMAS both report your science GPA alongside your cumulative GPA. It is calculated the same way as overall GPA — quality points (grade × credit hours) divided by total science credit hours — but using only BCPM courses.
What does BCPM stand for?
BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. These four subject areas make up your science GPA as defined by AMCAS (for MD programs) and AACOMAS (for DO programs). Note that BCPM includes Math — this is different from CASPA (PA school applications), which uses BCP (no Math). Courses like Anatomy, Physiology, Psychology, and Computer Science are not BCPM.
Does Anatomy count as BCPM?
Generally no — Anatomy and Physiology are typically classified as "Other Science" by AMCAS, not BCPM. The BCPM classification is based on the department a course is taught in, not just its subject matter. A Biochemistry course taught in the Chemistry department is BCPM; the same content taught in a Medical Sciences department may not be. When in doubt, consult AMCAS's course classification guide or contact your pre-med advisor.
Is Biochemistry BCPM?
Yes, Biochemistry is almost always classified as BCPM (specifically under Chemistry) in AMCAS and AACOMAS. It is one of the most important science courses for med school applicants because it directly prepares you for the MCAT and is scrutinised by admissions committees. A strong grade in Biochemistry carries significant weight in your BCPM GPA.
What science GPA do I need for medical school?
The average science GPA of accepted MD students is approximately 3.69, according to AAMC data. For DO programs through AACOMAS, the average is around 3.48. Most MD programs have a de facto minimum of 3.0–3.2 to receive serious consideration, though a few accept lower with exceptional other factors. A science GPA above 3.7 is considered strong; above 3.8 puts you in the top applicant tier.
Does Psychology count as science GPA?
No — Psychology is classified as a social science and does not count toward your BCPM GPA in AMCAS or AACOMAS. It counts toward your cumulative GPA and your "other science" GPA, but not BCPM. This is a common misconception among pre-med students. Similarly, Sociology, Anthropology, and Statistics for Social Sciences are not BCPM.
Does Statistics count as BCPM?
Yes — Statistics counts as Math, which is part of BCPM in AMCAS and AACOMAS. However, a course called "Statistics for Psychology" or "Statistics for Social Sciences" may be classified differently depending on the department. If the course is listed under the Mathematics or Statistics department on your transcript, it is almost certainly BCPM.
What is the difference between AMCAS and AACOMAS science GPA?
AMCAS (used for MD program applications) and AACOMAS (used for DO program applications) both use the BCPM definition — Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. The classification rules are nearly identical, though minor differences in how specific courses are categorised can occasionally produce small differences. If you are applying to both MD and DO programs, your BCPM GPA will be essentially the same for both systems.
My science GPA is lower than my cumulative GPA. Is that a problem?
A science GPA below your cumulative GPA is common and not automatically disqualifying. Admissions committees understand that science courses are harder. What matters more is the absolute value of your science GPA — a 3.5 science GPA with a 3.8 overall is strong. Problems arise when your science GPA falls below 3.0, which signals to admissions that you may struggle with the science-heavy medical curriculum.