GPA vs GWA: Differences Explained Between GWA And GPA [2025]
If you’re a student, you’ve probably heard people throw around terms like GPA and GWA. At first glance, they might seem like the same thing. After all, both are about grades, right?
This is normal because these terms are closely related and serve as key standards to evaluate a student’s academic performance. Understanding the difference between GPA vs GWA has become important for better decision-making in future studies.
Relax, no need to worry about this. Here’s the catch: while they sound similar, they are born in two different states. There is no doubt that both terms serve the same purpose. But the key differences between GPA vs GWA students should be known by every student.
In this blog, I’ll provide a detailed analysis of GPA vs GWA, how they’re calculated, and why schools use them differently. By the end, you’ll never mix them up again.
👉 Quick tip: If you ever need to compute your GWA instantly, you can use our free GWA Calculator instead of doing manual computations.
Plot Spoiler: Be ready to be a part of the discussion about the impact of GWA and GPA on students’ future careers (because they hear both terms frequently in their educational journey).
Difference Explained Between GPA vs GWA
GPA vs GWA Philippines are academic performance metrics used to assess students’ performance, but they have different calculation methods. They are used to shortlist students’ academic results and empower them to make better career choices about their future.
✨ If you’re following the Philippine grading system, you might need to convert between GPA and GWA. Save time by using our GPA to GWA Converter & GWA to GPA Converter to get accurate conversions in seconds.
Here is a detailed explanation of the difference between GPA and a GWA, so you’ll never confuse them.
What is GPA (Grade Point Average)?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It’s a numerical representation of a student’s achievement in all their courses during a specific period (a semester of a 6-month duration or an academic year). It enables us to compare the academic performance between different schools and countries.
The Grade Point Average is usually on a scale ranging from 0.0 to 4.0. It’s an accepted grading system internationally, like in the countries, the U.S, South Korea, Canada, and Australia, etc.
GWA to GPA converter matters to determine the student’s competency for scholarships and jobs. It works as a demand for admission to higher studies.
Calculation Method:
GPA is calculated by multiplying the grade point of each subject by the number of credit hours to get quality points. Then sum up all the quality points and divide by the total credit hours. Then, it gives you a single score — your GPA (Grade Point Average).
Use the following formula to find the GPA:
GPA = (Total Grade Points ÷ Total Units)
You can also find it using the GPA calculator. Each grade point of GPA indicates a specific level of achievement. For example:
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
So if you got mostly A’s and a couple of B’s, your GPA would be somewhere around 3.7. You can convert your GPA to GWA using the GPA to GWA converter if you follow the Philippines grading system.
Numerical Scale:
The GPA (Grade Point Average) follows a standardized numerical scale. Its numerical scale ranges from 0.0 to 4.0.
What is GWA (General Weighted Average)?
General Weighted Average (GWA) is a grading system used in the University of the Philippines GWA system. Instead of the usual 4.0 scale like GPA, the GWA scale runs from 0.0 to 5.0.
The key difference? GWA doesn’t just average your grades — it also considers how many units each subject has. So, a major subject with more units will have a bigger impact on your GWA compared to a minor class with fewer units.
Calculation Method:
The General Weighted Average (GWA) is calculated using your grades and the number of units each subject carries. Each subject has a weight depending on its credit hours. Your grade for that subject is multiplied by its weight, and then all of those weighted grades are added together.
Finally, the total is divided by the overall number of units to get your GWA. Subjects with more credit hours will end up having a bigger impact on your average than minor ones with fewer units.
For example:
Math (3 units) = 1.5 grade
English (2 units) = 2.0 grade
Science (5 units) = 1.75 grade
In short, the GWA is a weighted calculation, giving more importance to major or higher-credit courses.
Numerical Scale:
The numerical scale for GWA varies from institute to institute. It mainly depends on the credit weighting assigned to each course.
Key Differences Between GPA and GWA
The GPA system is the standard of Western institutions for admission as well as for job purposes abroad. It is accepted globally, while the GWA system is not considered a standard grading system, but is common in the Philippines.
GPA is usually considered the average grade in a single semester. On the other side, GWA is the mean of all the semesters of the academic year. A detailed difference table of GPA vs GWA is the following:
| Feature | GPA(Grade Point Average) | GWA(General Weighted Average) |
| Definition | An academic system to calculate their results globally | An academic system to assess the students’ performance in the Philippines |
| Range | 1.0 (lowest)-4.0(highest) | 1.0(highest)-5.0(lowest) |
| Region | Used globally, including the US, Canada, etc. | Used in the Philippines |
| Calculation | Simple average of grades | Weighted average (credits/units matter) |
| Focus | General performance | Performance considering subject importance |
| Calculation Formula | (Grade × Units) ÷ Total Units | (Grade Points × Credit Hours) ÷ Total Credit Hours |
Conversion Between GPA and GWA
The GWA system is not considered standard globally. Many students need to convert a GWA into a GPA to apply for scholarships, jobs, and international universities.
The conversion between GWA and GPA (two grading systems) is a little challenging at first, but it gets much simpler after you get the scales.
While the GWA system in the Philippines uses a 1.0 to 5.0 scale, with 1.0 indicating the top grade and 5.0 indicating failure, the GPA system is typically measured on a 4.0 scale, where an A equals 4.0 and a B = 3.0.
An online GWA to GPA converter is a reliable option if you’d prefer not to bother with tedious computations. Just type in your GWA, and the tool instantly shows you the equivalent GPA without the hassle of formulas.
But if you’d rather calculate by hand, you can do it like this:
GPA formula: Total Grade Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
GWA formula: (Grade Points × Units) ÷ Total Units
Both work fine, but online tools save you the headache.
Impact of GPA vs GWA on Your Future
GPA is an important tool to calculate academic performance, and it’s outstanding. It checks the student’s ability. If you’re aiming to study abroad or apply for international scholarships, schools will usually ask for your GPA. Since it’s used worldwide, it’s easier for them to compare you with other students.
On the other hand, GWA is what counts locally. It’s the number schools use for honors, class ranking, and graduation requirements in the Philippines. It’s the academic matrix used to check out the student’s capability in different aspects.
So, if you plan to stay here and stand out in academics, GWA is the one you’ll need to keep an eye on. Think of it this way: GPA opens doors abroad, while GWA helps you shine at home.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, GPA vs GWA are just numbers. The GPA is a simple average that is a global standard to evaluate a student’s academic performance. The GWA is the weighted average that is accepted locally in the Philippines.
Both academic systems matter for school, scholarships, and jobs, but they don’t define your potential. Remember…
If you want to go abroad for higher studies, focus on your GPA. But to stay local, keep your GWA strong.
