Grade Forgiveness

What's the deal with ... Grade Forgiveness?

Every Cal Poly student can choose to retake up to 16 units in order to improve their grades. This is called Grade Forgiveness. Full policy details are on the Registrar's website and the Academic Programs website. We've provided an FAQ below.

 

How does Grade Forgiveness work?

Let's say you earned a D in CPE 101. If you retake CPE 101 and earn a B the second time, then the D grade is removed from your GPA calculations and replaced by the B.

VERY IMPORTANT: While the first grade is removed from your GPA, it still appears on your transcript.

ALSO IMPORTANT: You must take the exact same course, and it must be taken at Cal Poly.

For example, if you fail a GE course, you can't get Grade Forgiveness by taking a different GE course, even if it's in the same GE category. Likewise, if you retake calculus at a community college, you can't get Grade Forgiveness.

 

Can I use this for any class I like?

Nope. There are constraints:

• You can't retake a class unless your first grade was C- or lower.
• You can't receive Grade Forgiveness if your first grade was an F earned through academic dishonesty.