What the letters usually mean
A withdrawal often stays on the transcript without adding grade points. A passing mark in a pass/fail system may earn credit but remain outside the numerical GPA. An Incomplete is generally temporary and may later be replaced by a letter grade. The exact labels, deadlines, and consequences belong to the institution.
Worked example: 12 units with one pass/fail course
Maya takes four 3-unit courses. She earns A, B+, and B in three letter-graded courses and P in the fourth. Using GPA Clarity's generic values, the letter-graded courses produce 12 + 9.9 + 9 = 30.9 quality points over 9 GPA units. Her term GPA is 30.9 ÷ 9 = 3.433. She may earn 12 credits toward progress, but only 9 units enter this GPA example.
Try the numbers
See how a transcript mark may be treated
Select a mark for a plain-language summary based on the cited policies.
Why “does it count?” needs a follow-up
- GPA: Does it add grade points or GPA units?
- Credit: Does it earn units toward the degree?
- Progress: Does it count as attempted or completed for financial aid?
- Transcript: Does the mark remain visible?
For example, UCLA's grade policy excludes P/S and Incomplete marks from GPA calculation. Its financial-aid standards separately discuss attempted and completed units. That is why a mark can be neutral for GPA yet still matter elsewhere.
Open Planned Courses to test W, CR, NC, WU, and letter grades under GPA Clarity's stated assumptions.
Policy sources
Policies vary by institution and can change. These official sources support the school-specific statements above; your registrar is the final authority.
- UCLA Catalog — Grades explains how P, S, I, and other marks are excluded from its GPA.
- UCLA Catalog — Financial Aid SAP distinguishes GPA from attempted and completed units.
- MIT Registrar — Calculating GPA states that P, S, and incomplete grades are not included in its GPA.
Written and independently checked by GPA Clarity · Last reviewed September 9, 2026