GPA conversion FAQ
Six common questions about converting Korean grades. Reference information only.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a 4.5-scale GPA to the US 4.0 scale?
The common shortcut is proportional scaling: divide by 4.5 and multiply by 4.0, so 3.5/4.5 becomes 3.11/4.0. Band mapping gives a different answer, because 3.5 on the 4.5 scale is a B+ and an American B+ is 3.3. Neither is wrong; they are different conventions. Check which one the receiving institution asks for.
Why does every converter give a slightly different result?
The Korean 4.5 scale splits the A band into A+ (4.5) and A0 (4.0), while the US 4.0 scale treats every A as 4.0. There is no arithmetic that resolves that gap, so proportional scaling, letter-grade mapping and institution-specific tables all produce different numbers — often 0.1 to 0.4 apart on the same transcript.
Can I report an A+ as 4.3 or 4.5 on a US application?
No. The US 4.0 scale has no value above 4.0, and such an entry is usually rejected or read as an error. US schools and evaluators such as WES treat A+ and A alike. If your record is exceptional, report the original scale and your class rank instead — "4.32 / 4.5, top 3% of the cohort" says more than any converted number.
Why does the WES evaluation differ from my own calculation?
WES does not convert your cumulative GPA. It re-grades each course into US letters, weights by credit hours, and averages. Low-credit electives with A+ grades therefore lift the result less than a single-number conversion suggests, and the final figure commonly lands 0.1 to 0.4 away from a home calculation. When an official evaluation is required, the agency figure is the one that counts.
Should I use the percentage printed on my transcript?
If your transcript prints one, yes — it is the school's own official conversion and carries more weight than anything you compute. Just do not confuse a percentage (share of the maximum) with a percentile (rank within the cohort). An 87 means 87% of full marks, not the top 13%.
What GPA does the GKS scholarship require?
Under the GKS application guidelines you must meet one of: 2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4.3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, or 80% or higher. This tool flags automatically whether your entry clears that line. Guidelines are revised annually, so confirm against the current year announcement before applying.