Urgent request, please help: Discrepancy in GPA

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At the time I first saw GPA calculation at mba.com, I thought my German weighted average grade (it is already weighted based on credit hours) should be converted to American GPA based on the table provided by mba.com.

So, for example my average weighted grade was 2.1 for my Bachelors. According to the conversion table a four passing grades 1,2,3,4 and 5 = Fail translates to GPA as
1= 4.0 GPA
2= (3.0 to 3.9) GPA
3= (2.0 to 2.9) GPA
4= (1.0 to 1.9) GPA
and 5=0.0 to 0.9 GPA

Now I read it like this:

2.1 is near 2 so I need to be near 3.9. I chose 3.9. I did not know the implication of this. The GPA is printed on my official score report now. If I think again now, the German grade 2.0 should be 3.9. Therefore, 2.1 should be 3.8 GPA, a 2.2 should be 3.7 GPA, a 2.3 should be 3.6 GPA and so on as for every 0.1 German Grade change such as 2.2 to 2.3 a 0.1 decrease in GPA should occur. So, now my GPA would be 3.8.

Also, if I do not convert the weighted average but convert each subject with credit hours the results get skewed to somewhere close to 3.2.

What method is to be used? If my grade is already weighted should I convert just the weighted average or should I convert individual grades?

I am totally perplexed. How should I get the GPA off my official report? I fear that this would work negatively in my application and might be seen as fraud.
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by Lisa Anderson » Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:04 am
Dear Abhishek,

You cannot change what you self-reported at the time of GMAT exam. It is common for the GPA to be in error on the GMAT as many candidates do not understand the conversion. I would suggest writing a sentence or two in the additional information or optional essay suggestion stating that you did not convert your GPA correctly at the time of your exam and that your true GPA is what is reported on your application. Don't worry--it is not that big of an error. As long as you acknowledge it, you will be fine.

I always find using a credentialing service like WES (www.wes.org) is the best way to go to get a true conversion. However, most schools do not require it. When calculating a US GPA, it is a function of grade and number of credit hours for the course. You multiply the grade points by the number of hours for the course, then sum the grade points and divide by the total number of credit hours. Many schools post a conversion guide in their applications, so you might check there for guidance.

Regards,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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