As an Indian student applying for higher education abroad, you’ve likely come across terms like GPA and CGPA. While they may sound confusing, both are benchmark systems to measure academic performance. In countries like the USA and Canada, a 4.0 grade scale is commonly used, where a GPA of 3.5 is considered excellent and roughly translates to 75% to 100%.
Key Highlights
GPA: Measures your academic performance in a single semester or term, calculated based on the grades and credits of courses taken in that period.
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CGPA: Represents your overall academic performance across all semesters, providing a cumulative average of all GPAs weighted by semester credits.
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Key Difference: GPA tracks semester-wise performance, while CGPA gives a holistic view of your academic journey across the entire program.
Table of Content
What is GPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a standardized metric that measures your academic performance for a specific term or semester. It is calculated by dividing the total grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted.
In most global universities, GPA is evaluated on a 4.0 scale, where a 3.5 or above indicates strong academic achievement. For Indian students, this roughly translates to a CGPA of 8.5 to 9.0 on a 10-point scale.
Suggested: Universities accepting low GPAs
What is CGPA?
CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) measures your overall academic performance across all semesters or academic terms in a degree program. It is the weighted average of all GPAs obtained, factoring in the credits per semester.
For instance, if you consistently maintain GPAs above 3.0 every semester, your final CGPA will reflect strong academic consistency - a key criterion for scholarships, graduation eligibility, and global university admissions.
What is the Difference between CGPA and GPA?
CGPA and GPA both form part of the same grading system, but are used to reflect credit points earned by the students at separate points in time. Here's a detailed comparison of the two grade points to help you understand their differences better:
|
Aspect |
CGPA |
GPA |
|---|---|---|
|
Definition |
Average grade point for all semesters |
Average grade point of a single semester |
|
Formula |
CGPA = ∑(SGPA × Semester Credits)/Total Credits Across all Semesters |
GPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credit Hours)/∑Credit Hours |
|
Scope |
Reflects the overall academic achievements |
Reflects the achievements in a specific semester |
|
Scale |
10-point scale |
4.0 Scale |
|
Calculation |
Weighted average of all semester GPAs |
The weighted average of all the grades in the courses taken. |
|
Purpose |
Measures a holistic view of a student’s long-term academic progress |
Measures the short-term academic achievement of a given term |
|
Use |
Important for graduation, and for eligibility, admissions, and job placements |
Useful for tracking the progression of semesters and the evaluation of grades |
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CGPA vs GPA Calculation
GPA is an evaluation of your performance at any given point during the course, whereas CGPA checks your overall performance throughout the course. Here's a detailed description of the calculation for better understanding.
CGPA Calculation
CGPA represents your overall average across multiple semesters and is primarily a weighted average of all GPAs, considering the credits per semester.
The general formula used for calculating your CGPA is:
|
CGPA = ∑(SGPA × Semester Credits)/Total Credits Across all Semesters. |
Example:
- Semester 1 SGPA: 8.2 (20 credits)
- Semester 2 SGPA: 7.8 (22 credits)
CGPA = (8.2×20) + (7.8×22) ÷ (20+22) = 8.0
GPA Calculation
GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated by averaging the weighted grade points earned for each course based on the credit hours of those courses. The general formula used for determining the GPA is:
|
GPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credit Hours)/∑Credit Hours. |
Example:
If you earned:
- A (4.0) in a 3-credit subject
- B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit subject
- A- (3.7) in a 3-credit subject
GPA = (4.0×3) + (3.3×4) + (3.7×3) ÷ (3+4+3) = 3.63
How to Convert CGPA to GPA?
Your GPA has a direct impact on your CGPA because CGPA is the weighted average of all your semester GPAs. Each semester’s GPA is multiplied by its credit hours, meaning semesters with more credits have a bigger influence on your final CGPA.
CGPA to GPA Calculation Formula
CGPA=Total Credits∑(GPA×Semester Credits)
Example Scenario
Let’s say you completed three semesters with the following results:
- Semester 1: GPA = 8.0, Credits = 20
- Semester 2: GPA = 7.0, Credits = 22
- Semester 3: GPA = 9.0, Credits = 18
CGPA=20+22+18(8.0×20)+(7.0×22)+(9.0×18) / 20 + 22 + 18 = 476 / 60 = 7.93
So, if your low GPA happens in a high-credit semester, it will significantly lower your CGPA. Likewise, a strong GPA in high-credit semesters can raise your CGPA faster. A single low-performing semester with more credits can pull down your CGPA significantly.
CGPA and GPA Requirements at Top Universities
Most top universities abroad do not specify a strict cutoff but generally expect strong academic performance. A CGPA between 8.0 and 9.0 or a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0 is considered competitive for admission to globally ranked programs. This indicates consistent academic excellence and readiness for advanced coursework.
|
University |
GPA Requirement (4.0 Scale) |
Equivalent CGPA (10 Scale) |
|---|---|---|
|
3.9 to 4.0 |
9.0 to 9.5 |
|
|
3.8 to 4.0 |
8.8 to 9.3 |
|
|
3.7 to 4.0 |
8.7 to 9.3 |
|
|
3.6 to 4.0 |
8.5 to9.0 |
|
|
3.6 to 4.0 |
8.5 to 9.0 |
|
|
3.5 to 3.8 |
8.2 to 8.8 |
|
|
3.3 to 3.7 |
8.0 to 8.6 |
|
|
3.2 to 3.5 |
7.8 to 8.5 |
|
|
3.6 to 3.9 |
8.5 to 9.2 |
|
|
3.5 to 3.8 |
8.2 to 8.8 |
How Does Your GPA Affect Your CGPA?
Your GPA directly impacts your CGPA because the CGPA is the average of all your semester GPAs. Each semester’s GPA contributes to your overall score. Strong performance boosts your average, while weaker semesters can lower it, especially if they carry more credit hours.
In simple terms, maintaining good grades consistently helps you build a strong CGPA, which reflects your academic reliability and is valued by universities and employers alike.
Here’s how GPA impacts CGPA:
- A high GPA in any semester lifts your overall CGPA and academic ranking.
- A low GPA in a semester with more credit hours can lower your cumulative score.
- Consistent GPA performance across semesters leads to a stable and competitive CGPA, essential for higher studies and scholarships.
From the Desk of 小优视频
Both GPA and CGPA are important indicators of your academic success, but they serve different purposes. GPA helps you measure and improve your performance semester by semester, while CGPA provides a long-term record that universities and employers rely on.
Connect with our expert advisors, and they’ll take you through everything you need! To excel academically and stand out for scholarships, admissions, or job opportunities, aim for consistent semester GPAs; this will naturally boost your CGPA over time. Want to learn more about studying abroad?
