GPA Academic Honors and GPA Thresholds

Question 1

Among the three traditional Latin honors awarded at graduation, which designation requires the lowest qualifying GPA?

Accepted Answer

Cum laude

Answer

Summa cum laude

Answer

Magna cum laude

Answer

Phi Beta Kappa

Question 2

What is the correct English translation of 'magna cum laude'?

Accepted Answer

With great praise

Answer

With highest praise

Answer

With praise

Answer

With distinction

Question 3

Which GPA range most commonly qualifies a U.S. university student for summa cum laude honors?

Accepted Answer

3.9–4.0

Answer

3.0–3.49

Answer

3.5–3.69

Answer

3.7–3.89

Question 4

The Dean's List at most U.S. universities requires students to achieve a minimum GPA of what within a single semester while enrolled full-time?

Accepted Answer

3.5

Answer

2.0

Answer

2.5

Answer

3.0

Question 5

Which honor society, founded in 1776, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious undergraduate academic societies in the U.S. and typically admits students with very high GPAs in the liberal arts and sciences?

Accepted Answer

Phi Beta Kappa

Answer

Beta Gamma Sigma

Answer

Alpha Kappa Mu

Answer

Sigma Tau Delta

Question 6

A student graduates with a 3.72 GPA. Their university awards cum laude for 3.5–3.69, magna cum laude for 3.7–3.89, and summa cum laude for 3.9 and above. Which honor do they receive?

Accepted Answer

Magna cum laude

Answer

Cum laude

Answer

Summa cum laude

Answer

No Latin honor

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of awarding Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) at graduation?

Accepted Answer

To acknowledge outstanding academic achievement as measured by GPA

Answer

To recognize perfect attendance throughout college

Answer

To certify a student's eligibility for graduate school admission

Answer

To identify students who completed more than 150 credit hours