Retake GPA Calculator
See what retaking a course does to your GPA under each of the three policies schools use. Which one applies to you is a question for your registrar — this shows all three.
Projected GPA
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Current GPA
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Change
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| Policy | Projected GPA | Change |
|---|---|---|
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The comparison table shows all three policies side by side, because the difference between them is substantial and only your registrar can tell you which one your school applies.
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How to use this calculator
- Enter your current GPA and the graded credits behind it, both from your transcript.
- Enter the credits for the course you are repeating, the grade you originally earned, and the grade you expect this time.
- Select your school's policy. If you do not know it yet, the comparison table below shows all three outcomes.
The three policies
Schools handle repeated courses in one of three ways. They are not variations on a theme — they produce genuinely different GPAs from the same work.
- Grade replacement. The new grade replaces the old one for GPA purposes. The original attempt usually stays visible on the transcript, often marked as excluded. This helps the most.
- Both attempts count. Both grades stay in the average and the course credits are counted twice. A retake still helps, but much less, because the old grade is still in there.
- Averaged. The two attempts are averaged into a single grade, and the course counts once. This sits between the other two.
How the calculation works
Your current GPA is converted back into quality points, then adjusted according to the policy.
Both count: (current points + new attempt) ÷ (credits + course credits)
Averaged: (current points − old attempt + averaged attempt) ÷ same credits
A worked example
You have a 2.50 GPA over 30 credits — that is 75.0 quality points. You retake a three-credit course where you originally earned a D (1.0), and you expect an A (4.0).
| Policy | Quality points | Credits | Projected GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade replacement | 75.0 − 3.0 + 12.0 = 84.0 | 30 | 2.80 |
| Both attempts count | 75.0 + 12.0 = 87.0 | 33 | 2.64 |
| Averaged | 75.0 − 3.0 + 7.5 = 79.5 | 30 | 2.65 |
The same work produces a 2.80, a 2.65 or a 2.64 depending purely on your school's policy. That spread — more than a tenth of a point from one retake — is why it is worth confirming the policy before deciding whether to repeat a course.
Important notes and limitations
Confirm the policy before you decide
Retake and grade-replacement rules vary widely. Many schools limit how many courses you may repeat, cap the grade a retake can earn, or only allow replacement below a certain original grade. Some apply replacement automatically; others require a form.
- Financial aid often limits how many times a repeated course can be funded — usually once after passing.
- Graduate and professional schools frequently recalculate GPAs counting every attempt, whatever your undergraduate institution did.
- Credits are normally earned only once, even when both grades count toward GPA.
- A replaced grade usually remains on the transcript. Replacement affects the GPA, not the record.
Frequently asked questions
Does retaking a course remove the original grade?
Almost never from the transcript. Under a replacement policy the original stops counting toward your GPA, but it typically stays visible, marked as repeated or excluded. Anyone reading your transcript closely can still see it.
Is it worth retaking a course?
It depends on the policy, the credits and how far the grade would move. Under replacement, turning a 3-credit D into an A lifted the example above by 0.30 — meaningful. Where both attempts count, the same work gained 0.14. Weigh that against the time and tuition, and against what else those credits could be.
How do I find out my school's policy?
It is in the academic catalogue, usually under "repeated courses", "grade replacement" or "grade forgiveness". Your registrar or academic adviser can confirm it, including any limits on how many courses you may repeat.
What is academic renewal?
A separate policy at some schools that excludes an entire past term from your GPA, usually after a break in study and subject to conditions. It is more drastic than a retake and typically has to be applied for.
Will graduate schools see the original grade?
Yes, and many recalculate your GPA counting every attempt regardless of how your undergraduate school treated it. Medical and law school applications in particular tend to use their own formulas.
Guides that explain this
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How to Raise Your GPA
What the arithmetic says about improving a GPA: why earlier credits weigh you down, and when retaking a course is worth it.