Student grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated by assigning a number to each letter grade earned, with A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1 and F = 0, then finding the average. A student proposes using the median of the numbers instead and calls this medGPA. A student has taken five courses (all an equal number of credit hours) and the grades were A, A, F, B, A. The usual GPA for these grades is 3.0. Should the student prefer using the median (medGPA)?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The median of the grades A, A, F, B, A (when converted to numbers 4, 4, 0, 3, 4 and then arranged in order) is 4, which corresponds to an A grade. Therefore, the medGPA would be 4.0, which is higher than the usual GPA of 3.0.

Student Grade Point Averages (GPAs) Are Calculated by Assigning a Number