What term GPA do I need next term to reach a cumulative target?

How we calculated this

Your target cumulative GPA times your total credits after next term is the total quality points you need; subtracting the quality points you already have leaves what next term must contribute, divided by next term's credits. Using the example values above (3.2 GPA over 30 credits, 15 planned credits, target 3.4), you need a 3.8 term GPA next term.

A heavier planned course load makes the required term GPA less extreme, since the same gap gets divided across more credits; a lighter load concentrates the same gap into fewer credits and pushes the required GPA higher, sometimes past what your scale allows.

Limitations

This treats "current cumulative GPA and credits" as already correct and final; if a grade is still pending, get your actual current numbers from Cumulative GPA first. It also assumes every planned credit is graded on the same scale you entered as the max; a pass/fail credit that does not count toward GPA should not be included in "planned credits" here.

Common mistakes

A frequent error is entering this term's credits instead of next term's planned credits, which solves the wrong question entirely. Another is leaving the max GPA scale at the default 4.0 when your school actually uses a different ceiling (4.33 or 4.5 with plus/minus grading), which can make an achievable target look impossible or an impossible one look achievable.

Frequently asked

What does it mean if the required GPA is 0?

It means your target is already secured; even a 0 GPA next term would not pull your cumulative average below the target you entered.

What if the required GPA is above my school's max scale?

The result reports the target as not reachable in one term; you would need either more credits spread across additional terms or a lower target. See GPA Target Across Future Terms to plan across more than one term.

Does it matter whether I take 12 or 18 credits next term?

Yes; more planned credits spread the same required improvement over a larger base, which generally lowers the term GPA you would need to hit the same cumulative target.

Can I use this for a target below my current GPA?

Yes, though in that case the required GPA is usually already secured or very low, since you have room to spare relative to a lower target.

Next decision

If you are planning more than one term ahead, see GPA Target Across Future Terms instead. For the reasoning behind working a GPA target backward like this, read Reverse-Engineering a GPA Target.