AMCAS GPA Calculator

Calculate your BCPM GPA, AO GPA, and Total AMCAS GPA using official AMCAS rules — A+ = 4.0, all attempts counted, W excluded. Three precision levels for medical school applicants.

AMCAS Rule: A+ = A = 4.0 — No grade replacement — ALL attempts count
Course NameCategoryGradeCredits
AMCAS GPA Summary
BCPM GPA
3.39
10 credits
AO GPA
3.70
3 credits
Total GPA
3.46
13 credits
Letter Grade
B+
Total Attempts
4
W on Record
0

How to Use This AMCAS GPA Calculator

Enter each course with its AMCAS category (BCPM or AO), grade, and credit hours. The calculator instantly computes your BCPM GPA, AO GPA, and Total GPA using official AMCAS rules.

BCPM stands for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math — the science GPA medical schools weight most heavily. AO (All Other) covers every other subject. AMCAS reports both separately alongside your cumulative Total GPA.

The Advanced tier below adds per-subcategory breakdown (Biology GPA, Chemistry GPA, Physics GPA, Math GPA separately) and retake tracking. The Professional tier adds a full multi-year transcript simulator with AMCAS vs AACOMAS comparison and school-tier competitiveness ratings.

Advanced Subcategory Breakdown & Retake Tracking Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math GPAs + scenario presets
Load Scenario:
CourseSubCatGradeCrRetake
BCPM Sub-Category Breakdown
Biology
3.85
6 cr
Chemistry
3.90
9 cr
Physics
3.30
4 cr
Math
4.00
4 cr
BCPM GPA
3.80
AO GPA
4.00
Total GPA
3.84
Total Credits
29
Retake Attempts
0
W on Record
0

AMCAS GPA Formula

BCPM GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Total BCPM Credits
AO GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Total AO Credits
Total GPA = Σ(All Grade Points × Credits) ÷ All Credits

Key rule: ALL attempts are included — retakes do NOT replace original grades.

Unlike most university GPAs where retaking a course may replace the original grade, AMCAS includes every single attempt in the calculation. A D you retook for an A still drags your GPA. This is one of the most misunderstood AMCAS rules.

AMCAS Grade Scale

A+ = A = 4.0  |  A- = 3.7  |  B+ = 3.3  |  B = 3.0  |  B- = 2.7

C+ = 2.3  |  C = 2.0  |  C- = 1.7  |  D+ = 1.3  |  D = 1.0  |  F = 0.0

W = Withdrawal (not counted in GPA, but shows on record)  |  P/F = not counted

Note that AMCAS treats A+ and A identically at 4.0 — there is no 4.33 bump for A+. A grade of WF (Withdrawal Failing) is treated the same as an F.

BCPM Category Guide

Biology: General Biology, Microbiology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Anatomy, Physiology, Ecology, Biochemistry (when offered by Bio dept)

Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry (when offered by Chem dept), Analytical Chemistry

Physics: General Physics I & II, Modern Physics, Biophysics

Math: Calculus I & II, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Biostatistics

AO (All Other): Psychology, Sociology, English, History, Economics, Foreign Languages, etc.

Professional Full Transcript Simulator Multi-year transcript, AMCAS vs AACOMAS comparison, school-tier competitiveness
CourseYearSubCatGradeCrRetake
AMCAS vs AACOMAS Comparison
AMCAS (MD Schools)
All attempts counted
BCPM
3.58
Total
3.60
AACOMAS (DO Schools)
Grade replacement for retakes
Science
Total
3.60
School Tier Competitiveness (AMCAS GPA)
Top 20 MD SchoolsBCPM 3.7+ / Total 3.7+Below threshold
Top 50 MD SchoolsBCPM 3.5+ / Total 3.5+Meets threshold
State/Regional MDBCPM 3.2+ / Total 3.3+Meets threshold
DO Schools (AACOMAS)BCPM 3.2+ / Total 3.3+Meets threshold

What BCPM GPA Do Medical Schools Want?

The average matriculant BCPM GPA at US MD schools is around 3.65–3.70. For top-20 programs, competitive applicants typically present 3.70+ in both BCPM and Total GPA. State medical schools may admit applicants with BCPM GPAs in the 3.4–3.5 range if other application elements are strong.

DO programs (AACOMAS) accept a wider range, with average matriculant GPAs around 3.55 Total and 3.45 BCPM. Unlike AMCAS, AACOMAS applies grade replacement for retaken courses — which can raise your effective GPA significantly if you retook several science courses.

AMCAS vs Your Institutional GPA

Your school's registrar may calculate your GPA differently — many institutions replace the original grade when you retake a course, while AMCAS counts all attempts. This means your official transcript GPA can be noticeably higher than your AMCAS GPA if you retook courses.

Medical schools see through the difference immediately. Adcoms evaluate AMCAS GPA, not your school's GPA. This calculator uses strict AMCAS rules so you know your real number before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AMCAS give A+ a higher value than A?
No. AMCAS assigns 4.0 to both A+ and A. Unlike the LSAC (law school) system which uses a 4.33 scale, AMCAS caps grade points at 4.0. An A+ earns you no GPA advantage over a regular A on your AMCAS application.
If I retake a course, which grade does AMCAS use?
AMCAS includes BOTH grades — the original attempt and every retake. There is no grade replacement or forgiveness. A C you retook for an A will average both into your BCPM and Total GPA. This is fundamentally different from AACOMAS (DO schools), which uses grade replacement.
Does a W (withdrawal) hurt my AMCAS GPA?
A W (withdrawal before the grade penalty deadline) does not count toward your GPA — it is excluded from the calculation. However, it remains visible on your transcript and AMCAS application. Multiple Ws can raise questions during interviews. A WF (withdrawal failing) is treated as an F and does count.
What counts as BCPM vs AO?
BCPM is Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math — based on the department that offers the course, not just the course name. A Biochemistry course listed under the Biology department counts as Biology BCPM; the same course under Chemistry counts as Chemistry BCPM. AO (All Other) includes psychology, sociology, English, history, and all non-BCPM subjects.
Should I include community college courses in my AMCAS GPA?
Yes — AMCAS requires you to list ALL college-level courses from ALL institutions, including community college coursework. The grades count fully in your AMCAS GPA. Many applicants make the mistake of omitting these, which can cause verification problems. Post-baccalaureate courses also count fully.

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