"Science GPA" can mean different things. AMCAS uses the term BCPM for biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A college, scholarship, or another application service may define science courses differently.
Classify by primary content
The current AAMC course classification guide tells applicants to classify interdisciplinary courses by their primary content. Natural and physical sciences outside the highlighted BCPM classifications are not automatically BCPM. Consult the course description and a prehealth adviser when the fit is unclear.
Estimate the GPA
Worked estimate
| Course | Grade | AMCAS weight | Hours | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Biology | A- | 3.7 | 4 | 14.8 |
| Organic Chemistry | B+ | 3.3 | 4 | 13.2 |
| Calculus | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Total | 11 | 40.0 |
Why AMCAS can differ from the transcript
AAMC states that AMCAS GPAs are standardized and often differ from institutional GPAs. Courses with credit hours and letter grades can be included even when a school excluded them from its own GPA. Certain pass/fail, AP, audit, withdrawal, and other course types receive separate treatment.
Build a classification audit
List the transcript course title, department, catalog description, proposed AMCAS classification, credits, and grade. For an interdisciplinary class, save the description showing its primary content. This does not guarantee the classification will remain unchanged during verification, but it makes the estimate consistent and gives a prehealth adviser enough context to review the decision.
Calculate BCPM and AO separately, then confirm that their hours and quality points reconcile with the broader AMCAS undergraduate totals you are estimating.
Enter the transcript, not your estimate
The AAMC grade conversion guide is for personal reference. Follow the current applicant instructions and enter course information as it appears on official records.