Law School GPA Calculator
Estimate your LSAC/CAS law-school GPA — the unified undergraduate GPA that law schools see, counting every attempt.
How the Law School GPA Calculator works
When you apply to law school through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS), LSAC recalculates a single, standardized undergraduate GPA from all of your transcripts. This is the GPA law schools actually evaluate, and it can differ from the GPA on your home-institution transcript.
The most important rule: every attempt counts. Unlike many universities, LSAC does not honor grade-forgiveness or repeat policies — both the original and the retake are included.
Formula & grading scale
Every grade maps to a point value. Multiply each grade's value by the course's credit hours to get its quality points, sum them, and divide by total credits:
GPA = Σ(grade value × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours)
The LSAC/CAS uses this grade scale:
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 | A | 4 |
| A- | 3.67 | B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3 | B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 | C | 2 |
| C- | 1.67 | D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1 | D- | 0.67 |
| F | 0 |
LSAC converts each grade to its 4.0-scale value (note that an A+ is worth 4.33). All graded attempts are included; failing grades count as 0.0. Withdraw/Fail (WF) may be excluded if your institution treats it as non-punitive, but punitive failing grades count.
Step-by-step example
- Course 1 — A (4.00) × 3 = 12.00
- Course 2 (first attempt) — F (0.00) × 3 = 0.00
- Course 2 (retake) — B+ (3.33) × 3 = 9.99
- Quality points = 21.99; credits = 9; LSAC GPA = 2.44 — note the failed first attempt still counts.
Why your LSAC GPA matters
For law school admissions, your LSAC (CAS) GPA and LSAT score are the two numbers that carry the most weight. Because LSAC standardises grades across every transcript and counts every attempt, this figure — not your home-school GPA — is what admissions committees compare. Knowing it early helps you build a realistic school list.
How the LSAC GPA differs from your transcript
The biggest difference is grade forgiveness: if your school replaced a failed course with a retake, LSAC still counts both attempts. It also fixes grade values (an A+ is worth 4.33) and may include courses your school excluded. As a result, the LSAC GPA is often a little lower than a forgiveness-adjusted transcript GPA.
Building a stronger application
If your LSAC GPA is below your target schools' medians, a strong LSAT, an upward grade trend and a compelling personal statement can help offset it. To keep your undergraduate average on track in the meantime, use the GPA Calculator, and explore the CASPA GPA Calculator if you are also considering health-professions programs.
Tips for estimating your LSAC GPA accurately
To get the closest estimate, gather every undergraduate transcript — including community-college courses, summer classes and study-abroad credits taken before your first bachelor's degree — because LSAC folds all of them into one number. Enter each graded attempt, even the ones your school later replaced, since grade forgiveness does not apply here. Convert any plus and minus grades using the values shown above, and remember that an A+ is worth 4.33. Once you have a baseline, you can model how future semesters might shift it: late-stage grade improvements move the average slowly, which is why admissions committees also look closely at your grade trend, not just the final figure.
Frequently asked questions
Does LSAC count retaken courses?
Yes. LSAC includes both the original grade and the retake, even if your school replaced the grade under a forgiveness policy. This is the single biggest difference between your LSAC GPA and your school GPA.
Is an A+ worth more than 4.0 for LSAC?
Yes. LSAC assigns an A+ a value of 4.33, so a transcript with many A+ grades can produce an LSAC GPA above 4.0.
Are graduate grades included in the LSAC GPA?
No. LSAC's CAS GPA covers undergraduate work completed before the first bachelor's degree. Graduate coursework is reported separately and not blended into this GPA.
Why is my LSAC GPA different from my transcript GPA?
Because LSAC standardizes grade values, counts every attempt, and includes courses your school may have excluded. The result is often slightly lower than a forgiveness-adjusted transcript GPA.
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You can also head back to the homepage, read our student blog, or learn more about ExamPredictor.online.