Calculation Method
GWA is calculated using:
This includes every graded subject—pass or fail. Some institutions may choose to exclude non-credit or remedial courses.
The General Weighted Average (GWA) is a standard measure of academic performance used in the Philippines. It is calculated by averaging all final course grades, weighted by their credit units, for a specific semester or academic program.
GWA is calculated using:
This includes every graded subject—pass or fail. Some institutions may choose to exclude non-credit or remedial courses.
The most commonly used grading scale in the Philippines runs from 1.00 (highest) to 5.00 (failing), with 3.00 being the minimum passing mark. For example, the University of the Philippines uses:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1.00 | Excellent |
| 1.25–1.75 | Very Good |
| 2.00–2.50 | Good |
| 2.75–3.00 | Satisfactory / Passed |
| 4.00 | Conditional |
| 5.00 | Failure |
A 4.00 typically means "conditional" and may be removed by taking a re-examination within a year; otherwise, it becomes a failing 5.00.
GWA is used by schools and scholarship boards for:
GWA uses a descending scale —where 1.00 is the highest grade—while GPA systems (like those used in the U.S.) use an ascending scale, with 4.00 or 5.00 as the top grade. The direction reflects different grading traditions and how numerical ranks were historically applied.
Since each university may have slightly different grading thresholds and rules (e.g. use of percentage, letter grades, handling of conditional or incomplete marks), GWA comparisons across schools can be misleading.
Additionally, subjective grading standards and grade removal policies—such as whether a 4.00 is dropped or converted—can affect consistency.