When a student repeats a course, how is the grade used for cumulative GPA computed?

When a student repeats a course, the grade that is used for calculating the cumulative GPA is typically the last grade earned, which is usually reflected as the most recent attempt in which the student received a letter grade from "A" to "F." This approach allows institutions to ensure that a student's GPA reflects their most up-to-date academic performance in that subject area, providing a clearer picture of their current understanding and capabilities.

Many academic policies are designed to encourage students to improve their grades by allowing them to retake courses without the burden of previous lower grades unduly impacting their overall GPA. This policy motivates students to strive for higher academic performance, as the most recent grade supersedes earlier attempts, supporting their ongoing learning and development.

Other methods, such as counting the first grade earned, averaging all attempts, or only considering grades from limited attempts, do not typically align with the common practices used in most educational institutions, which prioritize the most recent effort as the most indicative of a student's current knowledge and skill level.