WAM Calculator Australia 2026 — Weighted Average Mark

Enter each course's mark (out of 100) and its credit points (most units are 6). Add as many as you like. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Course	Mark	CP	Grade	Pts
Total credit points	—

Your WAM (Weighted Average Mark) is the average of your actual percentage marks, weighted by each unit's credit points: WAM = Σ(mark × credit points) ÷ total credit points.

WAM is the metric most Australian universities use for Honours eligibility and postgraduate admission. First Class Honours usually needs a WAM around 80, and many research programs ask for a WAM of 70 or more. Because WAM uses your precise mark, every percentage point counts — unlike GPA, which only cares which band you land in.

How WAM relates to grade bands

Grade	Mark range	GPA points
HD	85–100 %	7.0
D	75–84 %	6.0
C	65–74 %	5.0
P	50–64 %	4.0
F	0–49 %	0.0

WAM uses your exact percentage marks, not bands. So a 64 and a 50 differ in your WAM. This holds even though both are a Pass. The bands below are shown for reference only.

WAM versus GPA: what is the difference?

A WAM is your Weighted Average Mark. It is the average of your actual marks out of 100, weighted by the size of each subject. A GPA turns each mark into a grade point first, then averages those. So a WAM keeps more detail than a GPA.

Many Australian universities, like UNSW and Sydney, treat the WAM as their main measure. A WAM of 75 or above is often called a Distinction average. Honours, scholarships and graduate entry frequently quote a WAM cut-off, not a GPA.

This tool gives your WAM and an indicative GPA. To see a GPA on the 7-point scale, use the GPA calculator. UNSW and Monash students can use the UNSW and Monash versions for their exact bands.

WAM rules vary by university, so check your own institution's policy — for instance, UNSW publishes how its Weighted Average Mark is calculated.

FAQ

Common questions

What is a WAM?

WAM stands for Weighted Average Mark. It is the average of your percentage marks across all completed units, weighted by each unit's credit points. Unlike GPA, it uses your exact mark, so the difference between a 72 and a 79 still shows up in your WAM.

What WAM do I need for First Class Honours?

At most Australian universities, First Class Honours needs a WAM of about 80 or above. Some faculties set the mark at 75 or 78. Second Class Honours Division 1 is often 75–79. Always check your specific faculty handbook, because the cut-offs genuinely vary.

How is WAM different from GPA?

WAM averages your raw percentage marks, so 64 and 50 differ. GPA works differently. It first turns marks into banded points. There, 64 and 50 are both a Pass worth 4. Then it averages those. WAM is more granular, which is why Honours and postgraduate entry usually use WAM rather than GPA.

Do all units count the same in my WAM?

Not necessarily. Units are weighted by credit points, so a 12-credit unit counts twice as much as a 6-credit one. Some universities also weight later-year units more heavily. Check whether your university uses a year-weighting. This calculator uses a straight credit-point weighting.

Does a fail count in my WAM?

Yes. A failed unit still counts its low mark. Its credit points still count too. So a fail pulls your WAM down noticeably. Repeating the unit later does not always remove the original attempt from the WAM — policies vary by university.

What is a good WAM?

A WAM of 75+ is a Distinction average and is competitive for Honours and most graduate programs. 65–74 is a Credit average that clears most graduate-job screening. 85+ is a High Distinction average and is exceptional.

What is the difference between a WAM and a GPA?

A WAM averages your actual marks, weighted by subject size. A GPA turns each mark into a grade point first, then averages those. A WAM keeps more detail.

Is a WAM of 75 good?

Yes. A WAM of 75 or above is usually called a Distinction average. It is a common cut-off for honours and many graduate programs.

Which universities use WAM instead of GPA?

Many do, including UNSW and the University of Sydney. They quote WAM cut-offs for honours and graduate entry. It is worth tracking your WAM from first year.

WAM Calculator — your Weighted Average Mark.

Your breakdown

How WAM relates to grade bands

WAM versus GPA: what is the difference?

Common questions

WAM Calculator — your Weighted Average Mark.

Your breakdown

How WAM relates to grade bands

WAM versus GPA: what is the difference?

Common questions

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