A+ GPA
An A+ letter grade equals a 4.0 GPA on the standard 4.0 scale and a percentage of 97–100%. It is the highest grade possible — a perfect academic score.
GPA Scale — Letter Grade Conversions
| Letter Grade | Percentage | 4.0 GPA Scale |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100% | 4.0 ← You Are Here |
| A | 93-96% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69% | 1.3 |
| D | 65-66% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 65% | 0.0 |
What Is an A+ Grade?
An A+ is the highest letter grade in the U.S. grading system. It represents a score of 97–100% and earns 4.0 grade points on the standard unweighted scale — the same as a regular A. In percentage terms, the difference between an A (93%) and an A+ (97%) does not change your GPA value, but an A+ signals that your performance was not just excellent — it was exceptional.
Is an A+ GPA Good?
Yes — an A+ is the best grade you can receive. It places you at the very top of the academic scale, well above the national average of 3.0. For high school students, a consistent A+ average makes you one of the most competitive college applicants in the country. For college students, A+ grades put you firmly on the Dean’s List and position you at the top of any graduate school applicant pool.
A+ for High School Students
If you are earning A+ grades in high school, your academic record is as strong as it gets. The most important thing at this level is not chasing a higher GPA — it cannot go above 4.0 on an unweighted scale — but ensuring your course load reflects genuine challenge. College admissions officers value a 4.0 earned in AP and Honors courses significantly more than one earned in standard classes. Pair your A+ grades with rigorous coursework and meaningful extracurricular involvement, and your application will be extremely competitive.
A+ for College Students
In college, an A+ grade is a distinction beyond the standard A. Not all schools assign A+ grades — some treat any score in the 93–100% range as a flat A worth 4.0 points. Where A+ grades are given, they may or may not carry additional GPA weight depending on the institution’s policy. Either way, earning A+ grades demonstrates mastery-level performance and is recognized on transcripts, in letters of recommendation, and in academic honors designations.
Does an A+ Affect Your GPA Differently Than an A?
On the standard unweighted 4.0 scale, an A+ and an A earn the same 4.0 grade points — so there is no GPA difference between them at the cumulative level. Some schools use a modified scale where an A+ earns 4.3 or 4.5 points, which would push your GPA slightly above 4.0. This varies by institution, so check your school’s official grading policy if this matters for your specific transcript or application.
Frequently Asked Questions — A+ Grade
An A+ corresponds to a percentage of 97–100%. It is the top range of the A grade bracket and represents the highest performance level on the standard U.S. letter grade scale. For a detailed breakdown of how the A+ fits across different grading contexts, this guide on the A+ letter grade scale is a useful reference.
On the standard unweighted 4.0 scale, yes — both an A+ and an A earn 4.0 grade points. The GPA value is identical. Some institutions use a modified scale where A+ earns 4.3, but this is not universal. If GPA calculation is your concern, always check your school’s specific grading policy.
Yes — on the standard U.S. grading scale, a score of 97% falls in the A+ range of 97–100%. A 96% is typically an A, not an A+. Some schools set the A+ cutoff at 98% or 99% rather than 97%, so the exact threshold can vary slightly by institution.
It depends on the college. Some universities assign A+ grades for scores of 97% and above. Others use a simplified scale where any score in the A range (93–100%) is recorded as a flat A on the transcript. Check your institution’s grading policy to know whether A+ grades appear on your official record.
On a standard unweighted 4.0 scale, no — an A+ earns 4.0 points, the same as an A, so it cannot push your GPA above 4.0. On modified scales used by some schools, an A+ may earn 4.3 grade points, which could push a cumulative GPA slightly above 4.0. This is institution-specific and not the standard across most U.S. schools.