Plus/minus grading adds a plus or minus to letter grades (for example B+, B, B-) so that grades and GPA points reflect smaller differences in performance.
The usual point values
Schools set their own conversions, but this one is the most widespread:
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 | |
| A- | 3.7 | C | 2.0 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | C- | 1.7 | |
| B | 3.0 | D+ | 1.3 | |
| B- | 2.7 | D | 1.0 |
In percentage terms, a minus usually covers the bottom few points of a letter’s band (90-92 for A-) and a plus the top few (87-89 for B+). Check the grading scale your school publishes, because some only add pluses and minuses for report cards, not for GPA.
Why it changes your GPA
Compare one student under both systems, three classes of equal credit:
- Whole letters: A, B, B → (4 + 3 + 3) ÷ 3 = 3.33
- Plus/minus: A-, B+, B- → (3.7 + 3.3 + 2.7) ÷ 3 = 3.23
The minus signs cost more than the plus sign gained. It cuts the other way too: a student with B+ grades all year earns a 3.3 instead of a 3.0. The GPA calculator accepts plus/minus grades so you can see the effect on your own record.
The A- problem
Under plus/minus, a single A- keeps an otherwise perfect student below 4.0. One A- among eight classes gives (7 × 4 + 3.7) ÷ 8 = 3.96. If you’re curious what a number like that signals, see what a 3.7 GPA means.
Related: letter grade · unweighted GPA