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Grades and Grade Point Average
Plus-Minus grades - Frequently asked questions
Grading Scale
Since June 1, 1950, a four-point grading scale has been in effect. Beginning with the Fall 2016 semester, a four-point grading scale with plus and minus grades has been in effect for all students. Computations** are as follows:
| Grade | Point Value |
| *A+ | 4.00 |
| A | 4.00 |
| *A- | 3.70 |
| *B+ | 3.30 |
| B | 3.00 |
| *B- | 2.70 |
| *C+ | 2.30 |
| C | 2.00 |
| *C- | 1.70 |
| *D+ | 1.30 |
| D | 1.00 |
| *D- | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
*Effective Fall 2016.
**The Law School uses a different point-value system for its computations. Please consult the Law School for more information.
Transfer college work gives credit only and is not included in computing the Drake University cumulative grade-point average. Other marks not included in grade point calculation:
| Grade | Description |
| CR | Credit given under Credit/No Credit provision |
| NC | No credit under Credit/No Credit provision |
| W | Official withdrawal from course |
| XX | Repeated course |
| I | Incomplete |
| IP | Course in progress |
| AU | Audit |
| NR | No grade recorded |
GPA Calculator Tool
Please note: The calculator tool below is designed as a tool to help students estimate a future GPA (or the number of hours or minimum grades necessary to achieve a desired GPA). In some cases, rounding variances may occur; therefore, the GPA estimations should not be considered students' official GPA at Drake University or at any other institution.
The formula upon which this tool is built corresponds to the non-Law School point system.
The grade-point average is determined by dividing the number of grade-points earned by the number of credit hours attempted. Grades of "F" are computed in the grade-point average, but no credit toward graduation is earned. Only passing grades ("A", "B", "C", "D", "Cr.") are used to award graduation credit.
Repeated Courses
A student may repeat a course. Only the highest grade and credit hours are used in computing the student’s cumulative G.P.A. Lower grades are removed from the computation and appear on the permanent record marked by a designated symbol. Students cannot remove unsatisfactory grades received at Drake by repeating those courses at other institutions and transferring the credit to Drake.
Students should be aware that most law schools and many graduate schools recompute a student’s G.P.A. in such a way as to count all grades received and not just the highest grade earned for a course.
Course Numbering System
| 001-099 | Primarily for first-year students and sophomores |
| 100-199 | Primarily for juniors and seniors; may be taken for graduate credit |
| 200-299 | Limited to graduate students |
| 300-399 | Limited to those holding master’s degrees |
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