Does the University of Tennessee use plus/minus grades?

No — the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, uses a traditional whole-grade scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0) without plus or minus modifiers for most undergraduate courses. This means GPA changes only in full integer increments per letter grade per credit hour. Graduate programs may differ.

What GPA is required to maintain Tennessee HOPE Scholarship at UT?

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requires maintaining a 3.0 cumulative college GPA, checked at 24, 48, 72, and 96 credit hours. If GPA falls below 3.0 at a checkpoint, you lose HOPE for the following academic year. You may reinstate HOPE at the next checkpoint by meeting the 3.0 requirement. On UT's whole-grade scale, 3.0 means averaging between A and B grades, exactly at the midpoint between 4.0 and 2.0 with a perfect 50-50 A/B split only reaching 3.5.

What GPA is required for Dean's List at the University of Tennessee?

UT Dean's List requires a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded credit hours. Since UT doesn't use plus/minus grading, 3.5 requires exactly half of your credit hours graded A and half graded B. More As will raise you above 3.5; more Bs will drop you below. Dean's List recognition is noted on official transcripts.

How does UT handle grade replacement when repeating a course?

UT has a grade forgiveness policy where students can petition to have the original grade from a repeated course excluded from GPA. The repeat grade replaces the original in GPA calculation. This is a formal petition process — not automatic. Both grades appear on the transcript (original marked as forgiven). This is especially valuable when re-taking courses after earning a D or F.

How to Calculate Your University of Tennessee GPA: Quality Points and Scale

Learn how the University of Tennessee calculates GPA — the 4.0 quality point scale, grading scale, and GPA thresholds for Dean's List, academic standing, and graduation at UT Knoxville.

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How the University of Tennessee Calculates GPA

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, uses the standard 4.0 quality point scale:

GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours Attempted

UT Knoxville Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Quality Points
A	4.0
B	3.0
C	2.0
D	1.0
F	0.0

Important: The University of Tennessee does NOT use plus/minus grading for most undergraduate courses. Grades are assigned as whole letter grades (A, B, C, D, F). Some graduate programs use plus/minus — check your syllabus.

Worked Calculation Example

Course	Credits	Grade	Quality Points
MATH 141	4	B	4 × 3.0 = 12.0
CHEM 120	4	A	4 × 4.0 = 16.0
ENGL 101	3	B	3 × 3.0 = 9.0
HIST 201	3	A	3 × 4.0 = 12.0
Total	14		49.0

GPA = 49.0 / 14 = 3.50

Key GPA Thresholds at UT Knoxville

Standing	GPA
Academic Probation	Below 2.0 cumulative
Good Academic Standing	2.0+ cumulative
Minimum Graduation GPA	2.0 cumulative
Dean's List (semester)	3.5 GPA, 12+ credit hours
Graduation: Cum Laude	3.5–3.69
Graduation: Magna Cum Laude	3.7–3.89
Graduation: Summa Cum Laude	3.9–4.0

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship GPA Requirements

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requires: - Full HOPE: 3.0+ cumulative college GPA at regular checkpoints (24, 48, 72, and 96 credit hours) - Aspire Award: 3.0+ cumulative GPA (enhanced award for higher ACT/SAT scorers) - Loss of scholarship requires re-meeting GPA threshold at next checkpoint to reinstate

Grade Forgiveness at UT

The University of Tennessee allows grade forgiveness: - Students may repeat a course and petition for the original grade to be excluded from GPA - The repeated grade replaces the original in GPA calculation - Original grade remains on transcript with forgiven notation - Petition process — not automatic; must be submitted to the registrar

Impact of No Plus/Minus Grading

At UT, performance within a grade level has no GPA impact: - A strong B (87%) and a borderline B (80%) both earn 3.0 quality points per credit - GPA can only change in full integer steps per letter grade change - The 3.5 Dean's List threshold requires exactly 50-50 proportions of A and B credits

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Tennessee use plus/minus grades?: No — the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, uses a traditional whole-grade scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0) without plus or minus modifiers for most undergraduate courses. This means GPA changes only in full integer increments per letter grade per credit hour. Graduate programs may differ.
What GPA is required to maintain Tennessee HOPE Scholarship at UT?: Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requires maintaining a 3.0 cumulative college GPA, checked at 24, 48, 72, and 96 credit hours. If GPA falls below 3.0 at a checkpoint, you lose HOPE for the following academic year. You may reinstate HOPE at the next checkpoint by meeting the 3.0 requirement. On UT's whole-grade scale, 3.0 means averaging between A and B grades, exactly at the midpoint between 4.0 and 2.0 with a perfect 50-50 A/B split only reaching 3.5.
What GPA is required for Dean's List at the University of Tennessee?: UT Dean's List requires a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more graded credit hours. Since UT doesn't use plus/minus grading, 3.5 requires exactly half of your credit hours graded A and half graded B. More As will raise you above 3.5; more Bs will drop you below. Dean's List recognition is noted on official transcripts.
How does UT handle grade replacement when repeating a course?: UT has a grade forgiveness policy where students can petition to have the original grade from a repeated course excluded from GPA. The repeat grade replaces the original in GPA calculation. This is a formal petition process — not automatic. Both grades appear on the transcript (original marked as forgiven). This is especially valuable when re-taking courses after earning a D or F.

Last updated 7/28/2026