WACE to GPA: how the NCAA converts WACE grades
Updated 27 October 2026
The NCAA converts Western Australian grades to US points with its own table: an A (75 to 100) is 4.0, a B (65 to 74.99) is 3.0, a C (50 to 64.99) is 2.0 and a D (35 to 49.99) is 1.0. Your core GPA is the average of those points across your core subjects from Year 9 to Year 12. Your ATAR doesn't come into it.
The conversion table
These are the NCAA's conversions for Western Australia, from its guide for Australian schools (September 2026).
| Grade | Meaning | US grade points |
|---|---|---|
| A (75 to 100) | Excellent Achievement | 4.0 |
| B (65 to 74.99) | High Achievement | 3.0 |
| C (50 to 64.99) | Sound Achievement | 2.0 |
| D (35 to 49.99) | Limited Achievement | 1.0 |
| E (0 to 34.99) | Inadequate Achievement | 0.0 |
Many WA schools report Years 9 and 10 as Excellent, High, Satisfactory, Limited and Very Low. The NCAA's guide doesn't list those words, so AussieScout reads them as A to E. If your school can give letter grades, send those.
Which WACE courses count
Only core subjects count: English, maths, science, social sciences such as history, geography and economics, and a few others such as languages.
- General level courses count for most academic subjects in Years 11 and 12, including English, Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Integrated Science, Modern History, Geography and Psychology.
- Mathematics Essentials counts, at ATAR or General level, along with Mathematics Applications. That's not true everywhere: in South Australia, Essential Mathematics doesn't count.
- Also named as approved: Marine and Maritime Studies, Science in Practice, Ancient History, Economics, Politics and Law, Philosophy and Ethics, International Perspectives, and Religion and Life. Psychology counts as a social science.
- Named as not approved: Health Studies, Physical Education and Commerce.
- Not core anywhere: art, music, drama, design and technology, food subjects and VET certificates. They still count towards the NAIA's overall GPA.
The full list is on the Western Australia page.
A worked example
One semester of Year 12 for a made up WA student:
| Subject | Grade | US grade points |
|---|---|---|
| English | B (68%) | 3.0 |
| Mathematics Applications | C (58%) | 2.0 |
| Human Biology | A (81%) | 4.0 |
| Modern History | B (70%) | 3.0 |
| Health Studies | A (85%) | Doesn't count |
Four core subjects for one semester make 2 core courses. The core GPA for that semester is 3.0: (3 + 2 + 4 + 3) divided by 4. The NCAA does the same across every semester from Year 9 to Year 12.
Proof you finished school
The NCAA accepts the WACE with the Statement of Results, and the Euka Assessed or University Pathway. It doesn't accept the ATAR or the Euka Assessment-free Pathway.
Work out yours
Put your grades into the GPA calculator. It uses the NCAA's Western Australian table and shows your core GPA and core courses straight away. For why the ATAR doesn't count, see ATAR to GPA.
This is general guidance from the NCAA's published guide. Only the NCAA Eligibility Center can decide your eligibility.
Sources: NCAA Guide to International Academic Standards: Western Australia (September 2026), NCAA initial eligibility requirements.