Failing a class can significantly impact your GPA (grade point average), but exactly how much it goes down depends on several factors. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through how GPA is calculated, how much failing a class could lower your GPA, tips for recovering from a failed class, and when it might be best to retake a failed course.
How is GPA Calculated?
GPA is calculated by assigning number values to letter grades and taking the average over all your classes. Here’s a typical grading scale:
| Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|
| 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 |
To calculate GPA, multiply the grade points by the number of credit hours for each class. Add these up and divide by the total number of credit hours taken. For example:
| Class | Credit Hours | Letter Grade | Grade Points | Credit Hours x Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| Chemistry 205 | 4 | C | 2.0 | 8.0 |
| Math 250 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Total | 10 | 29.9 |
GPA = Sum of (Credit Hours x Grade Points) / Total Credit Hours
GPA = 29.9 / 10 = 2.99
In this example, the hypothetical GPA is 2.99. The more classes you take, the less impact any single class will have.
How Much Does Failing a Class Lower Your GPA?
Failing a class can significantly lower your GPA, but the exact impact depends on:
- How many credit hours the class was worth
- What your current GPA is
- How many other classes you’ve taken
Since an F is worth 0 grade points, failing a 4 credit class would subtract 16 grade points from your GPA calculation (4 credits x 4.0 max grade points).
For example, if you had a 3.8 GPA over 120 credit hours, and then failed a 4 credit class, your GPA would drop to approximately 3.75.
(Previous GPA x Credit Hours) + (Failed Class Credit Hours x 0)
(3.8 x 120) + (4 x 0) = 456 / 124 total credits = 3.75 GPA
The more credits you have completed, the less impact any one class will have. However, failing a class early in your college career when you have fewer credits will drop your GPA further.
Example GPA Changes From Failing a Class
| Current GPA | Current Credit Hours | Failed Class Credits | New GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 60 | 3 | 3.38 |
| 3.2 | 90 | 4 | 3.07 |
| 2.8 | 120 | 3 | 2.78 |
As you can see, the more credits you have, the less a failed class impacts your overall GPA. However, failing a 4 or 5 credit class early on could potentially drop your GPA by 0.5 points or more.
Strategies for Recovering From a Failed Class
While failing a class can be disheartening, it’s important not to let one failure derail your college career. Here are some tips for recovering after failing a class:
Retake the Class
Most colleges allow you to retake a failed class. When you retake a class, usually the new grade replaces the previous one in your GPA calculation. This can help offset the impact of the initial failed class.
Talk to Your Academic Advisor
Meet with your academic advisor to discuss the failed class and your options moving forward. They can often provide useful perspective and advice for getting back on track.
Consider Dropping Your Course Load
Lightening your load for a semester by dropping a class or two can help you focus on doing well in your remaining classes to boost your GPA.
Look Into Academic Forgiveness Policies
Some colleges have academic forgiveness policies that allow you to retake a failed class and replace the F with the new grade, potentially helping offset the impact on your GPA.
Take an Intersession or Summer Class
Enrolling in an intersession class between semesters or a summer class can allow you to retake the failed class more quickly so you can get back on sequence for graduation.
Utilize Campus Tutoring and Academic Support
Take advantage of tutoring or study groups offered through your college to get extra support in challenging classes so you don’t fail again.
When to Retake a Failed Class
If you fail a major prerequisite class, you’ll likely need to retake it before you can progress in your major. But for general education or elective classes, consider these factors on when to retake:
- Required for your degree: Retake as soon as possible
- Significantly hurt your GPA: Retake soon to replace grade
- Available intersession: Retake over break
- Won’t dramatically improve GPA: Low priority to retake
- Would delay graduation: Retake based on need
Discuss when to re-enroll with your advisor. If the failed class doesn’t have a major impact on your GPA or graduation timeline, it may be better to focus on excelling in your current classes instead.
Tips to Avoid Failing a Class
While there are ways to recover from failing a course, it’s ideal to avoid failing in the first place. Here are some proactive strategies to help you pass your classes:
- Attend every lecture and take detailed notes
- Stay organized and keep up with assignments
- Study actively, not passively
- Find a study group for difficult classes
- Start assignments and studying early
- Get help from professors or tutors
- Reduce your course load if overloaded
- Set aside consistent study time
- Stay engaged and participate in class
- Work on improving your time management skills
Know the Add/Drop Deadlines
If you fall irreparably behind in a class in the first couple weeks, it may be possible to drop the course so it does not show up as failed on your transcript. Know the add/drop deadlines so this option is available.
Conclusion
Failing a class can significantly impact your GPA, especially if it is a 3 or 4 credit course early in college. A single failed class can potentially drop your GPA by 0.5 points or more depending on your circumstances. However, by retaking the class and acing it, you may be able to replace the previous F grade and eliminate the GPA hit. Use smart planning and proactive study strategies to avoid failing classes when possible. But if you do fail, meet with your advisor to make a plan to get your academics back on track.