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CASPA Overall GPA
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How CASPA Calculates Your GPA
CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants) calculates your GPA differently from your undergraduate institution. CASPA uses a standardized grade point scale, includes ALL coursework (even repeated courses), and breaks down your GPA into multiple categories that PA schools evaluate.
CASPA GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
Total Quality Points = Credit Hours × Grade Points (per course)
CASPA Grade Scale: A=4.0 · A-=3.7 · B+=3.3 · B=3.0 · B-=2.7 · C+=2.3 · C=2.0 · C-=1.7 · D+=1.3 · D=1.0 · F=0.0
CASPA Grade Scale: A=4.0 · A-=3.7 · B+=3.3 · B=3.0 · B-=2.7 · C+=2.3 · C=2.0 · C-=1.7 · D+=1.3 · D=1.0 · F=0.0
CASPA GPA Categories
- Overall GPA — All undergraduate and post-baccalaureate coursework
- Science GPA (BCP) — Biology, Chemistry, Physics courses only
- Non-Science GPA — All non-BCP coursework
- Last 60 Credit Hours GPA — Shows grade trends
⚠️ CASPA includes ALL attempts: Unlike some institutional GPAs, CASPA counts every attempt at a course, including F grades and repeated courses. Grade forgiveness policies at your school do NOT apply to CASPA calculations. Both the original and repeated course grade appear in your CASPA GPA.
💡 Competitive CASPA GPA: Most PA programs prefer a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0+. Competitive programs typically see applicants with 3.4–3.6+ overall and 3.2–3.5+ science GPA. Many programs require a minimum of 3.0 to even apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does CASPA calculate GPA differently from my school?
CASPA uses a standardized 4.0 scale that converts all letter grades uniformly, regardless of your school's grading system. Key differences: (1) CASPA includes ALL course attempts — repeated courses appear twice; (2) Pass/Fail courses are not included in GPA; (3) CASPA uses quality points (credit hours × grade points) divided by total credit hours; (4) Graduate courses are calculated separately. Your school's GPA and your CASPA GPA may differ significantly, especially if you repeated courses.
What counts as a science course for CASPA GPA (BCP)?
CASPA's science GPA (BCP GPA) includes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics courses only. This does NOT include psychology, sociology, statistics, math, or other natural sciences unless specifically categorized as B, C, or P by CASPA. When entering courses in CASPA, you designate the subject area — each designation determines whether it counts toward BCP GPA. Review CASPA's subject area definitions carefully when entering coursework.
Does retaking a course improve my CASPA GPA?
Yes, but partially. CASPA includes all course attempts, so retaking a C course and earning an A adds the A grade quality points to your record. The overall effect: if you scored a C (2.0) in a 3-credit course and retake it for an A (4.0), you now have 6 credit hours on record — C×3 + A×3 = 6+12 = 18 quality points ÷ 6 hours = 3.0 for those 6 credits. The improvement is real but diluted by having both grades in the calculation.
What is a competitive CASPA GPA for PA school?
Most PA programs require a minimum GPA of 2.75–3.0 to apply. However, the average GPA of accepted students at competitive programs is 3.4–3.6 overall and 3.2–3.5 science GPA. Programs at top schools often see accepted applicants with 3.6+ overall GPA. Many applicants with below 3.0 GPA take post-baccalaureate science courses to demonstrate academic ability before applying.
How many credit hours does CASPA use to calculate GPA?
CASPA uses ALL undergraduate and post-baccalaureate credit hours in your GPA calculation, including courses where you earned a D or F. Pass/fail courses are excluded from the GPA calculation (they count toward hours earned but not GPA). AP, CLEP, and transfer credits accepted by your institution are also included. Graduate coursework is listed separately and has its own GPA calculation in CASPA.
What GPA scale does CASPA use for plus/minus grades?
CASPA uses the following standardized scale: A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7, D+=1.3, D=1.0, D-=0.7, F=0.0. Note that an A+ is entered as 4.0 (same as A). If your school does not use plus/minus grading, enter A, B, C, D, or F as whole letter grades.
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