UW-Madison GPA scale and grading policy
Quick answer: University of Wisconsin-Madison uses the standard 4.0 scale. a = 4.0, ab = 3.5, b = 3.0, bc = 2.5 (the school uses ab and bc as midpoint grades). Wisconsin uses unweighted GPA but considers course rigor separately. Honors and AP courses are factored into the admissions decision.
| Metric | UW-Madison Standard |
|---|---|
| Typical admit GPA | 3.8 - 4.0 unweighted |
| Good standing minimum | 2.0 |
| Dean's List threshold | 3.5+ for Dean's List |
| Scale type | Standard 4.0 scale. A = 4.0, AB = 3.5, B = 3.0, BC = 2.5 (the school uses AB and BC as midpoint grades). |
How Wisconsin recalculates GPA for admission
Wisconsin uses unweighted GPA but considers course rigor separately. Honors and AP courses are factored into the admissions decision. The number you submit on your transcript and the number UW-Madison uses in its admission decision may differ. Use the calculator above to model both — switch the preset to match Wisconsin's policy.
Maintaining a good UW-Madison GPA
- Track cumulative GPA, not just semester GPA. University of Wisconsin-Madison 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. Wisconsin, like most universities, has a grade-replacement policy for retaken courses. Removing a low grade from the cumulative is the single biggest GPA lift.