NCAA's GPA requirements

Everything You Need To Know About the NCAA’s GPA Requirements


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Figuring out the NCAA’s GPA requirements isn’t the easiest thing to do. First, the NCAA doesn’t calculate your GPA based on your transcripts. They calculate it off of an NCAA-approved list of core courses. Additionally, the NCAA’s GPA requirements are different for every division.

It’s all confusing. But have no fear, we’ve researched for you, and tried our best to break it down into a simple explanation.

What is Your Core-Course GPA?

The NCAA only uses your core-course GPA to determine if you’re academically eligible. NCAA-approved courses must be in one of these subject areas: English, Math (Algebra I or higher), Natural/Physical science, social science, foreign language, and comparative religions or philosophy.  Recently, some states have voted to allow sign language to be a foreign language. Check with your high school to learn if your state has passed this new rule.

As a result, the NCAA will not count your high school classes that are in non-core courses. These are classes like fine arts, vocational studies, driver’s education, art, physical education, etc. Therefore courses like weightlifting, ceramics, and drama won’t count.

Additionally, courses that are taught below the ninth grade level won’t count towards the NCAA’s core course GPA requirements. You’re also only able to use a core-course credit once. Retaking a course that covers the same content as another will not count.

Before you start making next year’s schedule, take a look at the full list of  NCAA-approved core classes at your high school or talk with your high school counselor.

How to Calculate your NCAA Core-Course GPA

A lot of athletes and their families tend to think that the GPA on their transcript is the GPA the NCAA uses. However, that is not the case. 

The NCAA only uses an approved list of core-course to determine an athlete’s GPA, which we mentioned earlier.  

So, how do you calculate your grades?

The NCAA calculates your GPA on a 4.000 scale. All grades equate to an A, B, C or D, and each one of these letters has a numeric value.

Example: If an athlete has a 92% in a class, that equates to an A, which equals 4 points.

Here’s the point break down:

A = 4 points

B = 3 points

C = 2 points

D = 1 point

F = 0 points

The next step is figuring out how to calculate credits, which depends on whether your school year is broken down into, quarters, trimesters or semesters. The equation equals grade points multiplied by the amount of credit.

Here’s the unit break down:

Quater = 0.25 units

Trimester = 0.34 units

Semester = 1 unit

It can seem complicated, but it’s not. Take a look at the examples below:

  • An athlete receives an A for a semester-long course. 4 x 0.50 = 2.00 points.  
  • An athlete receives an A in a trimester long course. 4 x 0.34 = 1.36 points.
  • An athlete receives an A in a quarter long course. 4 x 0.25 = 1 point.

Also, if the class lasted a full year or more than one semester, trimester or quarter, you would need to add that into the equation.

Insider Tip: Use this handy worksheet we created to help you stay on track with your grades and meet the NCAA’s GPA requirements.

What are the NCAA’s GPA Requirements?

The minimum GPA required to compete at the NCAA Division I level is a 2.3 GPA in approved core-courses and earn an SAT score of 900 or ACT sum score of 75 to be eligible. Keep in mind that if your core-course GPA is higher your SAT and ACT score can be lower, this is what the NCAA calls the sliding scale.

For athletes registering in college before August 1, 2018, the Division II minimum core-course GPA requirement is a 2.00 with an SAT score of at least 850 or an ACT sum score of 68. Athlete’s registering after August 1, 2018, must have a 2.22 core-course GPA with an SAT score of 740 or an ACT sum score of 61. Just like at the DI level, athletes can have a lower or higher GPA or SAT/ACT score as long as it matches the DII sliding scale.

If you haven’t figured it out, your NCAA core-course GPA is dependent on your ACT or SAT score. We encourage athlete’s to do well in the classroom since the higher your GPA is, the lower you’re SAT, or ACT score can be. This gives athletes a lot of wiggle room if standardized testing isn’t their strong suit

Insider tip: Take the ACT or SAT early, and often. If you’re looking for ways to increase your standardized test scores visit our friends at uScoretestprep.com

Finally, use this information to help make sure you’re academically eligible, and you meet the NCAA’s GPA requirements. We see a lot of athletes struggle with being ineligible because they weren’t aware of the NCAA’s rules and regulations. If you need help with the college recruiting process, contact an NSR scout near you


National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.

If you are ready to take your recruiting to the next level, click the Get Scouted button below to be evaluated by an NSR College Scout.

Get Scouted  Scouting Careers

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