The weighted score is the golden ticket for admission to many universities. A strong high school GPA alone is not enough — your performance in aptitude and achievement tests is added to form a composite score that determines your university destination. This guide explains the formula in detail and reveals strategies to raise your score before applying.
Many universities now use high school GPA as just one part of their admissions formula, supplemented by aptitude and achievement tests to reduce the gap between varying school standards and ensure a unified benchmark for all applicants.
The weighted score is a weighted average of three components: high school GPA, aptitude test score, and achievement test score. Weights differ by major and university, but the common formula is: High School 30% + Aptitude 30% + Achievement 40%.
Many testing centers allow re-taking exams multiple times per year, with the highest score counting. This gives students the opportunity to improve their score before applying.
The standard formula (most common for science majors): Weighted Score = (High School GPA × 0.30) + (Aptitude Score × 0.30) + (Achievement Score × 0.40).
Practical example: a student with 90% in high school, 85% on the aptitude test, and 88% on the achievement test. Weighted Score = (90 × 0.30) + (85 × 0.30) + (88 × 0.40) = 27 + 25.5 + 35.2 = 87.7%.
Some universities use different weights for humanities majors (e.g., High School 40% + Aptitude 40% + Achievement 20%), and health/medical programs may add interviews or additional tests. Always check the requirements of your target university on its official website.
The General Aptitude Test measures academic readiness, logical thinking, and quantitative and verbal skills — abilities that can be developed through practice regardless of the curriculum. It consists of two sections: verbal (language) and quantitative (math and critical thinking).
The Achievement Test measures how well you have mastered your high school curriculum and includes math, physics, chemistry, and biology for science tracks; or math, history, geography, and others for humanities tracks.
The practical difference: the aptitude test can be improved through intensive practice with sample questions and logical reasoning, while the achievement test requires reviewing actual academic content. If you are strong in a particular subject, focus on boosting your achievement score in its courses.
Retake the exam: many countries' testing centers allow multiple aptitude and achievement test attempts per year, with the highest score counting. Allow at least three months between attempts for serious revision.
Identify your weak point: if your high school GPA is fixed and carries 30% weight, consider focusing on the achievement test (40% weight) rather than spending more time on the aptitude test. Distribute your effort wisely based on potential impact.
Proper aptitude test preparation: start by diagnosing your weak areas (verbal or quantitative?) using official sample tests. The quantitative section improves through practice and basic math. The verbal section improves through expanding vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Do not neglect high school: despite its fixed weight (30%), high school students can still improve their GPA by focusing on exams and requesting grade reviews when in doubt.
Each university sets its own standards. Competitive majors like medicine and engineering typically require weighted scores above 90%, while less competitive majors accept lower scores.
Some large universities and graduate programs require additional criteria such as GRE or GMAT exams or personal interviews alongside the weighted score.
Always check the official website of your target university or the unified admissions portal in your country for updated numbers and conditions for each major.
A: The minimum varies between universities, countries, and years, but generally ranges from 93% to 97% at most competitive medical schools. Check the official website of your target university for updated figures.
A: Yes, in some less competitive majors or at universities with higher capacity. Some humanities and social science programs accept lower scores. Some private universities also offer options with lower requirements.
A: This varies by country, but in most cases the exam can be retaken several times per year, with the highest score counting. It is advisable to prepare thoroughly before each attempt.
A: The achievement test covers multiple subjects (math and science for science tracks, or math and social sciences for humanities tracks). Your scores in these subjects are combined into a single percentage.
A: High school GPA is typically calculated from all three years of high school or just the last two, depending on university policy or the applicable system. Year 12 (the final year) generally carries the most weight.
A: Students studying abroad are subject to different admission requirements. Some universities accept alternatives such as the international SAT or equivalency for foreign certificates. Contact the admissions department of your target university.