UC Berkeley GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: University of California, Berkeley uses the standard 4.0 scale. UC system uses capped weighted GPA on 10th-11th grade A-G coursework, with +1.0 for UC-approved honors/AP/IB classes (max 8 semesters).
| Metric | UC Berkeley Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | 4.27 - 4.49 UC-weighted |
| Good standing minimum | 2.0 |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.5+ for Dean's List |
| Scale type | Standard 4.0 scale. |
How Berkeley recalculates GPA for admission
UC system uses capped weighted GPA on 10th-11th grade A-G coursework, with +1.0 for UC-approved honors/AP/IB classes (max 8 semesters). The number you submit on your transcript and the number UC Berkeley uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match Berkeley's policy.
Maintaining a good UC Berkeley GPA
- Track cumulative GPA, not just semester GPA. University of California, Berkeley 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. 3.5+ for Dean's List. Use the GPA Goal Calculator to see what grade average you need next semester to qualify.
- Check the grade replacement policy. Berkeley, like most universities, has a grade-replacement policy for retaken courses. Removing a low grade from the cumulative is the single biggest GPA lift.