AMCAS GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS GPA) uses the amcas recalculates undergraduate gpa on a standard 4.0 scale and separates science gpa (bcpm: biology, chemistry, physics, math) from non-science gpa. every grade from every transcript counts — including retakes (both attempts). AMCAS does NOT replace grades for retaken courses (unlike most undergrad institutions). Both attempts are averaged into the AMCAS GPA. AP credit is excluded from AMCAS GPA. The recalculated GPA is what medical schools use, not your school's reported GPA.
| Metric | AMCAS Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | Top med schools: 3.8 - 3.9 AMCAS GPA + 3.8+ Science GPA |
| Good standing minimum | 3.0 (typical pre-med floor) |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.7+ AMCAS GPA for competitive medical school admission |
| Scale type | AMCAS recalculates undergraduate GPA on a standard 4.0 scale and separates Science GPA (BCPM: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) from non-Science GPA. Every grade from every transcript counts — including retakes (both attempts). |
How AMCAS recalculates GPA for admission
AMCAS does NOT replace grades for retaken courses (unlike most undergrad institutions). Both attempts are averaged into the AMCAS GPA. AP credit is excluded from AMCAS GPA. The recalculated GPA is what medical schools use, not your school's reported GPA. The number you submit on your transcript and the number AMCAS uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match AMCAS's policy.
Maintaining a good AMCAS GPA
- Track cumulative GPA, not just semester GPA. American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS GPA) reports both. Most academic warnings trigger on the cumulative number.
- Use the credit-weighted scoring above.A 4-credit course's grade affects your GPA 33% more than a 3-credit course's grade.
- Plan for honors. 3.7+ AMCAS GPA for competitive medical school admission. Use the GPA Goal Calculator to see what grade average you need next semester to qualify.
- Check the grade replacement policy. AMCAS, like most universities, has a grade-replacement policy for retaken courses. Removing a low grade from the cumulative is the single biggest GPA lift.