Does ASU use 'F' or 'E' for failing grades?

ASU uses 'E' for failing grades, not 'F'. An E grade earns 0.0 quality points and counts in credit hours attempted, reducing GPA the same as an F would at other schools. The E appears on your ASU transcript. When explaining your academic record to employers or graduate schools unfamiliar with ASU's scale, note that E is equivalent to F at other institutions.

How many credit hours do I need to raise my GPA significantly at ASU?

The more credit hours you have already attempted, the harder it is to significantly move your cumulative GPA. With 90+ hours completed, a single semester of strong grades (say, 15 hours of A's = 60 quality points) added to a large base changes the GPA by only 0.1–0.2 points. Early in your degree (0–30 hours), each semester has the largest impact. The ASU Cumulative GPA Calculator shows exactly how much you can move your GPA per semester given your current totals.

What GPA is required for graduation honors at ASU?

ASU graduation honors: Summa Cum Laude (3.90–4.00 cumulative), Magna Cum Laude (3.70–3.89), Cum Laude (3.50–3.69). These are based on the ASU institutional GPA (courses taken at ASU). Transfer credits earn hours but do not count in the ASU GPA for honors calculation. Some Barrett Honors programs may have additional requirements.

How does ASU's grade forgiveness work?

ASU allows undergraduate students to petition for grade forgiveness when repeating a course. Up to 3 different courses can receive forgiveness — the repeated grade replaces the original in GPA calculation. Both grades remain on the transcript, with the original marked as excluded from GPA. This is a petition process through MyASU, not automatic on repeat enrollment. Each forgiveness use is permanent and cannot be reversed, so use them on your most GPA-damaging grades.

How to Calculate Your New Cumulative GPA at ASU: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how Arizona State University's cumulative GPA works — the quality point formula, how new semester grades affect your running GPA, and how to use the ASU Cumulative GPA Calculator to plan your semester.

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How ASU Cumulative GPA Is Calculated

Arizona State University (ASU) uses the standard 4.0 quality point scale:

Cumulative GPA = Total Quality Points Earned / Total Credit Hours Attempted

This cumulative figure is the running total across all semesters at ASU.

ASU Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Quality Points
A+	4.0
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
D−	0.7
E (Fail)	0.0

Important: ASU uses "E" for failing grades, not "F". Both function identically — 0.0 quality points — but ASU's transcript shows "E".

How to Estimate Your New Cumulative GPA

To project what your cumulative GPA will be after an upcoming semester:

Step 1 — Gather Your Current Academic Record

Step 2 — Calculate Current Quality Points

Example: GPA 3.2 × 45 credit hours = 144.0 quality points

Step 3 — Estimate New Semester Quality Points

Course	Credits	Expected Grade	Quality Points
BIO 181	4	B+	4 × 3.3 = 13.2
MAT 265	3	A	3 × 4.0 = 12.0
ENG 105	3	B	3 × 3.0 = 9.0
PHI 101	3	A−	3 × 3.7 = 11.1
Semester Total	13		45.3

Step 4 — Compute New Cumulative GPA

New Cumulative GPA = (Current Quality Points + Semester Quality Points) / (Current Hours + Semester Hours)

Example: (144.0 + 45.3) / (45 + 13) = 189.3 / 58 = 3.26

ASU Dean's List and Academic Standing

Standing	Requirement
Academic Probation	Cumulative GPA below 2.0
Good Standing	Cumulative GPA 2.0+
Dean's List	Semester GPA 3.5+, 12+ credit hours
Barrett Honors	3.25+ cumulative GPA (varies by program)
Graduation: Cum Laude	3.5–3.69 cumulative
Graduation: Magna Cum Laude	3.7–3.89 cumulative
Graduation: Summa Cum Laude	3.9–4.0 cumulative

ASU Grade Replacement Policy (Grade Forgiveness)

ASU allows undergraduate students to repeat courses and have the original grade excluded from GPA calculation: - The repeated grade replaces the original in GPA calculation - Both grades appear on transcript (original flagged as "repeat excluded") - Maximum of 3 distinct courses may have grade forgiveness applied - Petition required — not automatic

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ASU use 'F' or 'E' for failing grades?: ASU uses 'E' for failing grades, not 'F'. An E grade earns 0.0 quality points and counts in credit hours attempted, reducing GPA the same as an F would at other schools. The E appears on your ASU transcript. When explaining your academic record to employers or graduate schools unfamiliar with ASU's scale, note that E is equivalent to F at other institutions.
How many credit hours do I need to raise my GPA significantly at ASU?: The more credit hours you have already attempted, the harder it is to significantly move your cumulative GPA. With 90+ hours completed, a single semester of strong grades (say, 15 hours of A's = 60 quality points) added to a large base changes the GPA by only 0.1–0.2 points. Early in your degree (0–30 hours), each semester has the largest impact. The ASU Cumulative GPA Calculator shows exactly how much you can move your GPA per semester given your current totals.
What GPA is required for graduation honors at ASU?: ASU graduation honors: Summa Cum Laude (3.90–4.00 cumulative), Magna Cum Laude (3.70–3.89), Cum Laude (3.50–3.69). These are based on the ASU institutional GPA (courses taken at ASU). Transfer credits earn hours but do not count in the ASU GPA for honors calculation. Some Barrett Honors programs may have additional requirements.
How does ASU's grade forgiveness work?: ASU allows undergraduate students to petition for grade forgiveness when repeating a course. Up to 3 different courses can receive forgiveness — the repeated grade replaces the original in GPA calculation. Both grades remain on the transcript, with the original marked as excluded from GPA. This is a petition process through MyASU, not automatic on repeat enrollment. Each forgiveness use is permanent and cannot be reversed, so use them on your most GPA-damaging grades.

Last updated 7/28/2026