The GPA scale, or Grade Point Average scale, is a system used to measure academic performance in schools and colleges. It typically ranges from 0.0 to 4.0, where each letter grade corresponds to a specific point value. For example, an A usually equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, a D equals 1.0, and an F equals 0.0. To calculate a student's GPA, the point values of their grades are averaged, often weighted by the number of credit hours for each course. This allows for a standardized way to assess and compare academic achievement across different institutions and programs.