One of the most common questions we hear at Pre-PA Clinic is:
“What is my CASPA GPA?”
Unfortunately, your college GPA and your CASPA GPA are often not the same thing.
Many pre-PAs are shocked when they submit their application and realize their CASPA GPA is lower—or occasionally higher—than they expected.
If you’re applying to PA school, understanding how CASPA calculates your GPA is essential because your GPA is one of the first metrics admissions committees review when determining whether you’re a competitive applicant.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
✅ What a CASPA GPA is
✅ How CASPA calculates GPA
✅ How repeated courses affect your GPA
✅ How to calculate your science GPA
✅ How to calculate your prerequisite GPA
✅ Common GPA mistakes pre-PAs make
✅ What GPA is considered competitive for PA school
What Is CASPA GPA?
The Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants (CASPA) recalculates every applicant’s GPA using its own standardized formula.
This allows PA programs to compare applicants fairly, regardless of which college or university they attended.
CASPA calculates multiple GPAs, including:
- Overall GPA
- Science GPA
- Non-science GPA
- BCP GPA (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
- Graduate GPA
- Undergraduate GPA
Because CASPA uses its own calculations, your GPA reported by your university may differ from the GPA PA programs see.
How CASPA Calculates GPA
CASPA uses a quality points system.
Step 1: Convert Letter Grades to Quality Points
| Grade | Quality 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 | 0.0 |
Step 2: Multiply Quality Points by Credit Hours
Example:
Biology I
- Grade: A
- Credits: 4
Calculation:
4.0 × 4 = 16 quality points
Chemistry I
- Grade: B
- Credits: 4
Calculation:
3.0 × 4 = 12 quality points
Step 3: Add All Quality Points
16 + 12 = 28
Step 4: Divide by Total Credit Hours
28 quality points ÷ 8 credits = 3.50 GPA
CASPA GPA Formula
CASPA GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours
That’s it.
The challenge is ensuring you’ve included every course correctly.
Does CASPA Include Repeated Courses?
Yes.
This is one of the biggest surprises for many applicants.
Unlike some colleges that replace your old grade when you retake a class, CASPA counts every attempt.
Example
General Chemistry I
- First Attempt: C (4 credits)
- Second Attempt: A (4 credits)
CASPA includes BOTH grades.
The C does not disappear.
This means retaking classes can improve your GPA, but it does not erase poor grades from your academic record.
How CASPA Calculates Science GPA
Your science GPA is often one of the most important metrics PA admissions committees review.
Science GPA generally includes courses in:
- Biology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Other qualifying science courses
CASPA categorizes courses based on the subject designation you select and how CASPA verifies the course.
Science GPA Formula
Science Quality Points ÷ Science Credit Hours
Example:
| Course | Credits | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy | 4 | A |
| Physiology | 4 | B |
| Microbiology | 4 | A- |
Quality points:
- Anatomy = 16
- Physiology = 12
- Microbiology = 14.8
Total = 42.8
42.8 ÷ 12 = 3.57 Science GPA
How to Calculate Your Prerequisite GPA
Many PA programs evaluate prerequisite GPA separately.
This GPA only includes required prerequisite courses for a specific program only, and is not calculated by CASPA. Instead, it’s calculated internally by the PA program’s that specifically require prerequisite GPAs.
Examples may include:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Statistics
- Psychology
Because every PA program has different prerequisite requirements, your prerequisite GPA may vary from school to school.
This is why creating a strategic PA school list is so important.
A student with a 3.2 overall GPA may have a 3.8 prerequisite GPA and be highly competitive at certain programs.
Do Withdrawals Affect CASPA GPA?
Generally:
W (Withdrawal)
Does not impact GPA.
WF (Withdrawal Fail)
Impacts GPA similarly to an F.
Incomplete Grades
Treatment depends on how the institution reports the course.
Always enter coursework exactly as it appears on your transcript.
Does CASPA Count Community College Courses?
Yes. Every course you’ve taken for college credit counts for your CASPA GPAs.
CASPA includes coursework from:
- Community colleges
- Four-year universities
- Dual enrollment programs
- Study abroad programs (when applicable)
- Graduate coursework
Every verified course contributes to GPA calculations.
What GPA Do PA Schools Want?
Every PA program is different, but generally:
| GPA | Competitiveness |
|---|---|
| 3.8+ | Highly Competitive |
| 3.6–3.79 | Competitive |
| 3.4–3.59 | Moderately Competitive |
| 3.0–3.39 | School-Dependent |
| Below 3.0 | Requires Strategic School Selection |
Remember:
Admissions committees evaluate much more than GPA, including:
- Patient care experience
- Shadowing
- Leadership
- Personal statement
- Interview performance
- Volunteer work
- Mission fit
A lower GPA does not automatically mean rejection.
Common CASPA GPA Mistakes Pre-PAs Make
Mistake #1: Using University GPA Instead of CASPA GPA
Your school’s GPA may not match CASPA’s calculation.
Always calculate using CASPA rules before you submit your application to PA schools so you know you meet minimum requirements for the schools you apply to.
Mistake #2: Forgetting Repeated Courses Count
Many students assume retakes replace previous grades.
CASPA counts all attempts.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Science GPA
Admissions committees scrutinize science GPA. It’s important, so know what yours is.
Mistake #4: Applying Without Knowing Prerequisite GPA
Some students focus only on overall GPA and overlook a strong prerequisite GPA that could make them competitive. If you’re applying to schools that look at or require a specific prerequisite GPA, then you need to be aware of your result.
Mistake #5: Applying to Schools Based Only on Minimum GPA
Meeting the minimum GPA requirement does not necessarily make you competitive.
Always compare your GPA to a program’s typical accepted student profile.
Should You Take More Classes to Raise Your GPA?
If your GPA is below the average accepted GPA for your target schools, additional coursework may help.
Options include:
- Post-baccalaureate coursework
- Upper-level sciences
- Retaking prerequisite courses
- Graduate-level coursework
However, GPA repair strategies should be individualized.
The right plan depends on:
- Your current GPA
- Number of credits completed
- Science GPA
- Target programs
- Timeline
Final Thoughts: Know Your Numbers Before You Apply
Before submitting your CASPA application, you should know:
✓ Overall GPA
✓ Science GPA
✓ BCP GPA
✓ Prerequisite GPA
✓ Patient care hours
✓ Shadowing hours
✓ Competitive schools for your stats
Use CASPA’s GPA Calculator to calculate your GPAs here.
Understanding your CASPA GPA helps you build a smarter PA school list, avoid unnecessary application expenses, and apply strategically.
Need Help Choosing PA Schools Based on Your GPA?
If you want to know your PA school application is competitive—or you’re tired of guessing which PA schools are the best fit for your stats—our VIP was created for you.
During your VIP, we help you strategically position your application by:
✅ Reviewing your GPAs and stats and matching your unique stats to the best PA schools for YOU
✅ Creating a personalized school list based on your stats
✅ Write your entire, final personal statement
✅ Write all of your CASPA experience descriptions
✅ Also includes a mock interview, weekly PA shadowing, our PA School Directory and Application to Acceptance Course and 6 supplemental program edits
Instead of spending months wondering if you’re competitive, you’ll walk away with your strongest PA school application that maximizes your chances of acceptance.
Think of it as the fastest path to building your strongest possible PA school application.