The NCAA does not use the GPA listed on your transcripts; instead, it calculates your GPA using only NCAA-approved core courses. Every year, student-athletes are declared academically ineligible because they took the wrong courses and didn’t know until it was too late.
We strongly suggest you meet with your high school counselor and go through the NCAA GPA Worksheet, but below we break down all the information you need to know to be prepared for that meeting.
Quick Links
Common scenarios to watch out for
- Assuming a good high school GPA automatically makes you NCAA eligible. Often, recruits will take a few easier courses to pad their GPA, but those won’t be used to determine their core course GPA. On the other hand, many honors students will take advanced classes that might not be on the NCAA approved list for their school. Always double check with your high school counselor to make sure you are on track to be eligible.
- Not passing a class early in high school and assuming you can make it up later. The NCAA “locks in” your first 10 core courses after your junior year of high school. 7 of these core courses must be in English, math or natural/physical science. If you failed or got a low grade in a core class early in high school, make sure you retake that class before the end of your junior year. This core course progression is required for D1 programs.
- Your high school doesn’t have a list of NCAA-approved courses – If you are going to a nontraditional high school, your school might not have a list of NCAA-approved core courses. In this scenario, the NCAA will do a full academic review of your courses and conduct a high school account review.
- You’re an international student-athlete. Other than Canadian provinces, few schools outside of the U.S. have core course lists. International student-athletes should review the NCAA’s Guide to International Academic Standards for Athletics Eligibility to make sure they remain eligible.
What GPA do you need to be eligible for the NCAA?
The minimum GPA you can have to be considered an early academic qualifier for D1 is a 2.3 GPA. You will need a 2.2 GPA to be eligible at the D2 level.
FAQs about core course GPA calculations
Below we answer some of the most common questions we get about how to calculate core GPA.
How does the NCAA calculate GPA?
Your core-course GPA is calculated on a 4.000 scale. Only your core courses will be used when determining your GPA with the NCAA. There are 16 core courses, covering the subjects of English, math, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language, comparative religion or philosophy.
Each high school has its own list of NCAA approved core courses. Meet with your high school counselor to confirm your classes will meet the NCAA GPA requirements.
Insider Tip: Use the core course calculator to determine your core course GPA. You can also search for your high school’s list of NCAA courses using the NCAA High School Portal.
How is my core course GPA calculated?
Your core-course GPA is the average of your best grades achieved for all required core courses. If you have taken extra core courses, those courses will be used in your GPA, only if they improve your GPA.
How to calculate core course GPA
The calculation for core course GPA is the quality points for all core courses divided by total number of core-course units you have completed.
How to calculate quality points
To determine the quality points you earn for each course, multiply the grade points (listed below) by the amount of credit earned. For example, a one-year class will earn you 1.00 course unit, whereas one semester of a class will earn you 0.5. Use this scale:
- A – 4 points
- B – 3 points
- C – 2 points
- D – 1 point
Examples
- A B grade (3 points) for a trimester course (0.34 units): 3 points x 0.34 units = 1.02 total quality points
- A B grade (3 points) for a semester course (0.50 units): 3 points x 0.50 units = 1.50 total quality points
- A B grade (3 points) for a full-year course (1.00 units): 3 points x 1.00 units = 3.00 quality points
The NCAA Eligibility Center does not use plus or minus grades when figuring out your core course GPA. Focus on the letter grade to calculate your core course GPA. For example, grades of B+, B and B- will each be worth 3 quality points.
What is core GPA?
Your core GPA is the unweighted average of the grades you receive in all core classes attempted in grades 9-12. The NCAA core-course GPA is calculated using only the NCAA approved core courses in the required number of core units.
Can weighted grades for honors or advanced-placement courses be factored into the calculation of the student’s core GPA?
A school’s normal practice of weighting honors or advanced courses may be used, if the weighting is used for computing GPAs. Weighting cannot be used if the high school weights grades for the purpose of determining class rank.
What GPA do you need to play D1 sports?
For D1 sports, high school athletes need to earn a core course GPA of 2.3 or higher.
Maintaining NCAA eligibility
There is another element to NCAA academic eligibility, and that is maintaining your eligibility once you are in college. While you should have the full support of your college’s compliance office to ensure you maintain eligibility, here is a rough breakdown of the academic requirements once you are in college:
By the START of sophomore year, you must:
- have a cumulative GPA of 1.8
- have completed 36 units
By the END of sophomore year, you must:
- declare a major
By the START of junior year, you must:
- have a cumulative GPA of 1.9
- have completed 72 units (40 percent of your total degree requirements)
By the START of senior year, you must:
- have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
- have completed 108 units (60 percent of your degree requirements)
By the START of a fifth year, you must:
- have a cumulative GPA of 2.0
- have completed 144 units (80 percent of your degree requirements)
conclusion
Your GPA is very important when it comes to playing college sports. Remember, every school has its own rules, so it’s essential to work hard in your classes and keep your grades up. Don’t forget to check with the NCAA Eligibility Center and your future college to make sure you meet their GPA requirements. Keep studying, giving your best effort, and chasing your dreams on and off the field!
Have more questions?
Speak with an expert to discuss where you are in your recruiting journey, how NCSA can help, and to understand guidance and resources available.