In today's ever-evolving academic and professional spheres, standardised measures for assessing academic performance have become indispensable. Among these, the Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) stand out as critical benchmarks. While frequently used interchangeably, these terms have distinct meanings that carry significant weight in both education and career progression.

This discussion delves into the key differences between GPA and CGPA as tools for academic evaluation. Additionally, we will examine their broader impact on opportunities for higher education and employment. Let’s dive in.

What is GPA (Grade Point Average)?

Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance, typically calculated on a scale ranging from 0 to 4.0. It is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. GPA is commonly used by schools, colleges, and universities to assess and compare students’ achievements over a semester, academic year, or entire course of study. A higher GPA indicates better academic performance and is often a key factor in admissions, scholarships, and career opportunities.

What is CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)?

CGPA, or Cumulative Grade Point Average, is a measure used to evaluate a student's overall academic performance across multiple courses or semesters. It is calculated by averaging the grade points earned in all subjects, weighted by their respective credit hours. CGPA provides a standardised metric for assessing academic achievement on a scale, typically ranging from 0 to 10 or 0 to 4, depending on the educational system. This measure helps institutions and employers gauge a student's consistency and proficiency in academics.

What is the difference between CGPA and GPA?

How to calculate GPA?

For GPA calculation, follow these steps:

• Convert Letter Grades to Numerical Values

  Most schools mainly use a 4.0 scale for GPA calculation. On this scale, an A equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, a D equals 1.0, and an F equals 0. However, some schools may use a slightly different scale, so it’s essential to verify the exact values with your institution.

• Determine Credit Hours for Each Course

  Each course is assigned a certain number of credits, which typically corresponds to the weekly hours the class meets. For example, a class meeting two hours per week would usually be worth two credits.

• For each Course Calculate Grade Points

  Multiply the numerical value of the grade by the course’s credit hours. For instance, earning an A (4.0) in a three-credit course would yield 4.0 x 3 = 12 grade points.

• Find the Total Grade Points

  Sum the grade points for all the courses taken in the term or semester.

• Divide by Total Credits Attempted

  Divide the total grade points by the total number of credit hours attempted to determine the GPA for that semester or term.

Some schools use a weighted GPA scale, where advanced courses like Honors or AP classes carry extra weight to reflect their higher level of difficulty. In these cases, the numerical value of the grade may be adjusted upward before multiplying it by the credit hours. Be sure to confirm if your school uses such a system.

How to calculate GPA to Percentage?

• Calculating GPA (Grade Point Average) to a percentage depends on the conversion formula used by the specific educational system or institution, as different institutions have their methods for this conversion. Here’s a general approach, along with an example:

  Common Formula:

  Percentage = (GPA / Maximum GPA) × 100

• GPA: The grade point average you have obtained.

  Maximum GPA: The highest possible GPA (e.g., 4.0 or 10.0 depending on the scale).

   

  GPA out of 4.0

   

  Given GPA: 3.5

  Maximum GPA: 4.0

  Calculation:

   

  Percentage =  (3.5)

                 —------  × 100  = 87.5 %

                         (4.0)

   

  Result: 87.5%

How to calculate CGPA?

To calculate CGPA, follow these steps systematically:

• List Courses and Grades: Start by listing all the courses you have taken, along with their corresponding credit values and final grades.

• Determine Grade Points: Assign grade points to each course based on your institution's grading scale. For example, an "A" might correspond to 4.0 on a 4-point scale or 10 on a 10-point scale, while a "B" might correspond to 3.0 or 8, respectively.

• Convert Grades to Points: Convert the letter grades for each course into grade points using the appropriate scale for your institution.

• Identify Credit Values: Note the credit value for each course. This reflects the weight or importance of the course (e.g., a 4-credit course carries more weight than a 2-credit course).

• Calculate Weighted Scores: Multiply the grade points for each course by its credit value. Add all the weighted scores.

• Compute Semester GPA: Divide the total weighted scores by the sum of credits for that semester. This gives you the Semester GPA.

• Find the CGPA: Calculate the average of all Semester GPAs across semesters. To do this, sum up the Semester GPAs and divide by the total number of semesters completed.

   

  Example

  Suppose a student has Semester GPAs of 8.4, 8.8, 9.1, and 8.7 over four semesters. The CGPA would be:

   

  CGPA

  =

  (8.4 + 8.8 + 9.1 + 8.7) ---------------------- 4

  =

  8.75

  It’s essential to consider the grading scale and credit system specific to your institution to ensure accuracy in these calculations.

How to calculate CGPA to Percentage?

The formula to calculate Percentage from CGPA depends on the conversion scale specified by the institution or board (e.g., CBSE, universities, etc.). A common conversion rule is:

Percentage = CGPA × 9.5 

Here’s the reasoning: This multiplier (e.g., 9.5) is derived based on historical data to represent the average marks of students within a specific CGPA range.

Example Calculation

Suppose your CGPA is 8.4, and the institution uses the 9.5 multiplier:

Percentage = 8.4 × 9.5 = 79.8 %

Thus, a CGPA of 8.4 corresponds to 79.8%.

Key Notes

1. Verify Multiplier: Always check with your institution or university, as some use a different multiplier or formula.

1. Reverse Conversion: If you know your percentage and want to find the CGPA: 

CGPA =        Percentage

                —--------------------

                       Multiplier

For example, if the percentage is 85% and the multiplier is 9.5: 

CGPA        =       85 ​              ≈     8.95

                —---------

                           9.5

What is more important, CGPA or GPA?

This tabular breakdown simplifies the differences, relationships, and importance of CGPA and GPA.

How to convert CGPA to GPA?

Before converting a CGPA to a GPA, it’s essential to confirm the grading scale used by your institution. The two most commonly used systems are the 4.0 scale and the 10-point scale.

For institutions using the 4.0 scale, the process is relatively simple: an A corresponds to 4.0, a B to 3.0, and so on. However, if a different grading scale is in place, adjustments are necessary to ensure accuracy.

For a 10-point scale, CGPA can be converted to GPA using this formula:

GPA = (CGPA ÷ Maximum CGPA) × 4

For example, if a student’s CGPA is 8.5 on a 10-point scale, the calculation would be as follows:

GPA = (8.5 ÷ 10) × 4 = 3.4

This means a CGPA of 8.5 on a 10-point scale translates to a GPA of 3.4 on the 4.0 scale.

That said, universities or accrediting organisations often manage CGPA-to-GPA conversions, so students usually don’t need to calculate these themselves.

FAQs

What GPA is 8.5 CGPA?

If a student’s CGPA is 8.5 on a 10-point scale, the calculation would be as follows:

GPA = (8.5 ÷ 10) × 4 = 3.4

This means a CGPA of 8.5 on a 10-point scale translates to a GPA of 3.4 on the 4.0 scale.

How much is a 7.5 CGPA in GPA?

To convert a 7.5 CGPA to a GPA, I'll use the standard conversion method where the maximum CGPA is typically 10, and the maximum GPA is 4.0.

Calculation:

(7.5 / 10) * 4.0 = 3.0

Therefore, a 7.5 CGPA is equivalent to a 3.0 GPA.

What is a good CGPA grade?

A good CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is typically considered to be between 3.5 to 4.0 on a 4.0 scale, which generally represents an A or A- average and indicates excellent academic performance.

Do Universities Look at GPA or CGPA?

Universities typically consider both GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average), with CGPA often being more important as it provides a comprehensive view of a student's academic performance across all semesters or years of study.

Where do a GPA and CGPA matter?

GPAs (Grade Point Averages) and CGPAs (Cumulative Grade Point Averages) matter most during academic admissions, job applications, scholarship considerations, and when seeking competitive internships or academic programs that use academic performance as a key selection criterion.