Compare fields, not scale maxima
A 4-point, 10-point, or 12-point label does not identify a standardized algorithm. Safe comparison preserves the original record and documents its schema; it does not output a supposed equivalent GPA.
A record-schema table
| Record | Owner | Values | Weighting and units | Safe use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FCPS high-school GPA | Fairfax County Public Schools | Current local letter/point table | Defined course population and designated advanced-course additions | Reproduce only the applicable FCPS policy |
| McMaster undergraduate record | McMaster University | Named 12-point/letter table | Program-specific transcript rules and course units | Preserve McMaster value and legend |
| UNAM course record | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México | Official numerical grades with 6 as the minimum passing mark | UNAM rules and nonnumeric symbols apply | Preserve the original UNAM record |
| IB Diploma Programme | International Baccalaureate | Subjects graded 1–7; diploma total up to 45 | HL and SL contribute the same subject point values to diploma total | Do not call it a 12-point GPA |
| Common App GPA fields | Common App | Multiple scale choices or none | Weighting is reported separately | Follow the current application prompt |
| UC first-year record | University of California | Courses and grades reported as issued | UC defines a separate A–G GPA calculation | Do not self-convert international grades |
The table compares data structures. It does not claim that one row is numerically equal to another.
Minimum fields for any comparison
- issuer and effective period;
- credential or program;
- course-grade symbols and range;
- passing rule;
- course units and averaging method;
- weighting status and eligible courses;
- special marks;
- recipient reporting instruction; and
- output status: original record, official recipient result, or estimate.
Without these fields, dividing by the scale maximum is not a valid conversion.
Why regional labels fail
One institution cannot establish a national or regional GPA system. McMaster's 12-point table is not “the Canadian scale.” UNAM's 0–10 framework does not establish a Latin American percentage conversion. IB's official subject and diploma scores are not high-school GPA scales.
Use the institution name and exact record type, not labels such as Canadian, international, or IB GPA.
Application instructions can prohibit conversion
UC tells internationally educated applicants to enter courses and marks as the school reports them and not convert to a U.S. scale. Common App accepts many scale labels and none.
For another recipient, read its current instructions. If it requests an evaluation, confirm the accepted provider and report type. Do not assume every U.S. college wants a 4.0 conversion.
Weighted and unweighted are separate from the number
Common App records the scale and weighting status separately. A 4.0 base can appear in a locally weighted system, while a larger scale can use category values that do not match another school's formula.
Use 4.0 vs 5.0 vs 6.0 GPA for named counterexamples and types of GPA and academic records for no-GPA narrative records.
A safe comparison output
For a real applicant, retain:
- original course grades and symbols;
- original GPA, scale, and weighting label;
- transcript legend or school profile;
- recipient instruction and cycle;
- any recipient-calculated result under its own name; and
- any evaluator report as a separate document.
Never replace the original record with a proportional estimate.
FAQ
Is a 4.0 scale always unweighted?
No. Scale and weighting are separate policy fields.
Is a 10-point GPA equal to the same percentage?
No general rule follows from the maximum. Use the issuing institution's grading rules.
Can I convert McMaster's 12-point GPA to 4.0?
McMaster publishes a named reference table for its covered records. Use it only within that scope and preserve the original value.
Is IB a 12-point system?
No. IB Diploma Programme subjects use grades 1–7, and the diploma total uses a different 45-point structure.
Does this comparison rank the scales?
No. It compares record fields and reporting requirements, not student performance or scale quality.