Difference Between GPA & CGPA with Definition & Importance

Good grades are crucial if you are planning to study abroad, making tracking grade points and grades imperative for all international students. 

Most boards and universities use GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) to calculate, assess, and grade academic performance. 

Therefore, you should know the major differences between GPA and CGPA to better understand your grades.

What is GPA 

A GPA (Grade Point Average) indicates your average score in a single semester/unit or for the entire course duration. It is denoted by a number on a scale of 0 to 4 or 5. 

This system of grading is more prevalent in international universities. 

Note: The scale will shift on the basis of the grading system followed by a particular university 

Here’s how you calculate GPA:

GPA= Weighted Grade Points/Total Credit Hours 

Courses	Credit Hrs	Grade	Point for Grades	Weighted Grade Points
Physics	4	A	4	4 x 4 = 16
Maths	3	B	3	3 x 3 = 9
English	3	B	3	3 x 3 = 9
Science	5	A	4	5 x 4 =20
	Total = 15			Total = 54

Based on this marksheet, your Grade Point Average will be 3.6 (54 divided by 15). 

Note: The calculation may change from one university to another.

CGPA to GPA Calculator

Importance of GPA

Let us understand why the GPA (grade point average) is important. Here are some points that will help in this regard. 

• It helps in an overall estimation of academic performance, since it takes each grade earned by the student throughout the academic year, semester, or study duration. The overall average grade is the estimation of performance in this case. 
• It is a standardized system that is widely used throughout the USA and may be considered by universities in many other countries for admissions. It works as a common measure of evaluating international student performance. 
• GPA should be known when you are in high school and wish to apply for undergraduate programs at universities. It will help you meet their minimum requirements for admissions. 
• If you are in college/university, your GPA may influence various crucial aspects like scholarships, internships, funding, and whether you are accepted into prestigious organizations/clubs on the campus. It may also affect your application to study postgraduate courses at the same/other universities.

Read More: Calculating GPA from percentage | Study abroad 12th or graduation

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What is CGPA 

Thinking about what CGPA is? Before learning about the difference between GPA and CGPA, let us take a look at the definition and importance of CGPA.

The CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average and is a tool for measuring the overall performance of an aspirant. CGPA calculation is done by determining the mean of grade points. CGPA is calculated on a scale with a higher end of 8 or 10.

Most Indian universities use this system of assessment. 

Based on the CGPA assessment system, specific grades are given for a range of scores. For example, 85-90 marks will have a Grade Point of 8. 

Let us look at the following table to understand how CGPA is calculated.

Subject	Received Grade Points
A	7
B	8
C	9
Total	24

According to this example, the CGPA for the subjects A, B & C will be 8 (CGPA= 24/3= 8).

CGPA= 24/3= 8

Note: The calculation may change from one university to another. 

Importance of CGPA 
The CGPA is highly important in the overall scheme of things for students. Here are some points worth noting in this regard.

• The higher the CGPA, the more it shows how the student is thorough and regular with regard to coursework. 
• It is an important estimation of overall academic performance of the student, since it is the median of all the GPAs throughout the course/degree tenure. 
• The CGPA of all courses may be considered for master’s/postgraduate admissions by universities to estimate the overall average performance of applicants. 
• The CGPA may also influence job prospects, internships, and other employment-related activities on campus. Some employers often have minimum CGPA requirements while hiring fresh graduates.

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Difference Between GPA and CGPA

The major difference between GPA and CGPA is in the fact that GPA, alongside measuring the overall performance, also measures performance in a single semester or unit while CGPA measures performance in the entire course (covering all semesters and units). 

More differences between CGPA and GPA can be understood through the following pointers: 

1. GPA may span a smaller duration, i.e. a semester or term, while CGPA necessarily covers a longer time period like the entire degree/course duration (inclusive of all semesters). 

2. You should score a good GPA every semester to obtain a better average or CGPA in your degree course. GPA is thus linked to CGPA. 

3. International universities usually consider the GPAs of students to evaluate consistency in academic performance throughout any course. They often emphasize less CGPA. 

4. Universities in India use the 10-point CGPA grading system while the 4-point GPA method is used by universities in the UK and many others.

Here is a table that sheds more light on the GPA vs. CGPA debate. 

Parameter	GPA	CGPA
Duration	One term/semester (smaller period).	Whole tenure of course/degree program that includes all terms/semesters (longer period).
Scoring Requirements	Has to be scored every semester for a better CGPA.	Median of GPA scores in all semesters.
Evaluation Metric	Short-term; may help determine consistency on a semester-wise basis.	Long-term; may help in a more nuanced evaluation of student performance throughout the whole program.

Read More: Study abroad from India with great affordability and efficiently

Importance of GPA and CGPA

Both GPA and CGPA are highly important for your academic journey and future prospects. Your GPA should remain consistent for you to get a good CGPA score. 

Colleges and universities will seek both your GPA and CGPA, so you should emphasize both. Both GPA and CGPA will be displayed on your mark sheet, influencing your applications for higher studies abroad, placements and scholarships. 

CGPA is vital for cut-offs at several scholarships and university courses. Students often fall short of the criteria by simple decimal numbers. 

Hence, make sure that you strive for consistent GPAs throughout your course and an impressive CGPA at its conclusion.

How to Convert GPA into CGPA

Now that you have understood the importance and differences between CGPA and GPA, it is clear that GPA refers to scores obtained in a semester, while CGPA measures the overall academic performance, i.e., the scores obtained in all the semesters combined.

Conversion from CGPA to GPA is done when students are applying to higher education institutions to study abroad. Some universities have an internal process to get the grades converted according to their requirements. 

But universities ask students to get their grades evaluated by a recognized external agency and send them for admission consideration. 

This implies most foreign universities accept credential evaluation reports from external agencies only. These agencies need to necessarily be a part of NACES (National Association of Credential Services). 

So, coming to the conversion of GPA to CGPA, the weighted average GPA (GPA x Credit hours) of a student across all semesters is divided by the sum of the credit hours.

For example,

Semester	Credit Hours	GPA	Weight Average GPA
1	20	3	20×3
2	22	3.5	22×3.5
3	20	3.9	20×3.9

CGPA= Weight Average GPA/Total Credit Hours

215/62= 3.5

There are several third-party agencies that carry out these conversions for students.

 Note: This is only for having an approximate idea. Credential evaluation can only be carried out by external agencies, that are a part of NACES

GPA vs CGPA Conversion Table

The 4-point GPA to 10-point CGPA conversion table is given below:

CGPA (10 Point)	GPA (4 Point)	Grade (4 Point Scale)
>8.5	>3.7	A
8.0 – 8.4	3.7	A
7.5 – 7.9	3.3	B+
7.0 – 7.4	3	B
6.5 – 6.9	2.7	C+
6.0 – 6.4	2.3	C
5.5 – 5.9	2	D+
5.0 – 5.4	1.7	D
<5.0	0 – 1.3	F

Note: This is only for an approximate idea. Credential evaluation can only be carried out by external agencies, that are a part of NACES

CGPA To Marks Conversion Formula

The conversion of CGPA to mark is a single-step procedure, meaning it needs basic calculation.

The formula for the same is % of marks= 9.5x CGPA. 

If the CGPA is 8.5, the percentage will be 9.5×8.5= 90.25%

CGPA to GPA Calculator

 Note: This is only for having an approximate idea. Credential evaluation can only be carried out by external agencies, that are a part of NACES

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is crucial for students and educators alike, as these metrics play a significant role in academic evaluation and career prospects. 

While GPA often refers to the grading for a single term or course, CGPA provides a comprehensive overview of a student's overall academic performance throughout their program. 

Both GPA and CGPA are pivotal in assessing a student's understanding and mastery of their subject matter, and they are frequently considered by universities, scholarship committees, and employers. 

They not only reflect a student’s academic achievements but also their consistency and dedication to their studies. 

As such, maintaining a strong GPA and CGPA is important for students aiming for further education or competitive career opportunities, underscoring their commitment to academic excellence and potential for future success.

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