Difference Between CGPA and GPA: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Grading systems play a significant role in a student’s academic journey, helping assess performance and set goals for improvement. GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) are widely used indicators to measure academic performance. GPA typically evaluates performance for a specific semester, while CGPA reflects overall academic progress across multiple semesters. Both metrics are essential for determining eligibility for various scholarships, admissions, and career prospects. This blog explores the difference between CGPA and GPA, their importance, and how these metrics influence your academic and professional opportunities.

What is CGPA?

CGPA, or Cumulative Grade Point Average, measures a student’s overall academic performance across all semesters. It represents the average grade points earned in all subjects throughout the course. CGPA helps evaluate a student’s academic consistency and overall strength. 

Therefore, educational institutions and employers consider CGPA for assessing candidates’ qualifications. A higher CGPA indicates better academic performance and can significantly influence higher education and employment opportunities. 

What is GPA? 

GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a numerical measure of a student’s academic performance for a specific semester or term. It serves as a short-term indicator of how well a student has performed in that period. Many institutions use it to determine eligibility for scholarships, honors, and academic programs.

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Importance of CGPA and GPA

CGPA and GPA are crucial in shaping a student’s academic and professional journey. While GPA reflects short-term academic performance, CGPA provides a long-term measure of consistency. Understanding their significance helps students achieve their academic and career goals. 

Here are the importance of CGPA and GPA:

• Higher Education Opportunities: Universities consider CGPA and GPA for admissions into graduate or postgraduate programs, student education exchange programs, and research opportunities. A strong academic record improves the chances of acceptance.
• Job and Internship Prospects: Employers look at candidates’ CGPA to understand their level of hard work and steady performance. Many companies have a minimum CGPA requirement for jobs and internships.
• Scholarships and Financial Aid: A high GPA can help secure semester-based scholarships, while a strong CGPA improves eligibility for long-term funding and merit-based financial aid.
• Academic Progress Tracking: GPA helps students identify areas for improvement in individual semesters, while CGPA provides proof of academic growth over time.
• Competitive Advantage: A strong CGPA enhances prospects in competitive exams, campus placements, and international study programs, setting students apart.

Difference Between CGPA and GPA

We know that CGPA and GPA measure academic performance. However, these metrics differ in scope and calculation. GPA evaluates a student’s performance in a specific semester, while CGPA provides an overall academic assessment across multiple terms. Many universities and employers consider both when reviewing university admissions or job applications.

Here is the table showing the key GPA and CGPA differences:

Aspect	GPA (Grade Point Average)	CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
Definition	Measures academic performance for a single semester.	Assesses overall academic performance across multiple semesters.
Time Frame	Covers one term or semester.	Covers the entire academic program.
Calculation	GPA is calculated as the average of grade points earned in a specific term, typically on a 4.0 scale.	CGPA is calculated as the average of all grade points across all semesters, typically on a 10.0 scale.
Purpose	Provides a short-term academic evaluation.	Offers a long-term academic assessment.
Use in Admissions	Universities check GPAs for recent performance.	CGPA is considered for overall academic consistency.
Job Applications	Employers may look at GPA for specific coursework.	CGPA reflects long-term academic dedication.

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Conversion Table: GPA vs CGPA

Understanding the difference between CGPA and GPA and knowing how to convert from GPA to CGPA can help students with different grading systems align their academic records. The following table provides an approximate idea of how GPA on a 4-point scale converts to CGPA on a 10-point scale.

CGPA (10 Point)	GPA (4 Point Scale)	Grade
>8.5	>3.7	A
8.0 – 8.4	3.7	A
7.5 – 7.9	3.3	B+
7.0 – 7.4	3.0	B
6.5 – 6.9	2.7	C+
6.0 – 6.4	2.3	C
5.5 – 5.9	2.0	D+
5.0 – 5.4	1.7	D
<5.0	0 – 1.3	F

How to Calculate CGPA and GPA?

To understand “what is the difference between CGPA and GPA”, it is essential to follow a structured and accurate process to calculate your GPA or CGPA. By understanding the steps involved and using the appropriate formulas, you can easily track your academic performance and evaluate your progress over time.

1. CGPA Formula

Follow these steps to calculate your CGPA:

• Assign Grade Points to Each Subject: Each subject is assigned a grade point based on the student’s performance. For instance, an ‘A’ grade might correspond to 9 grade points, a ‘B’ to 8 points, and so on. The specific grade-to-point mapping can vary between institutions, refer to your institution’s grading scale.
• Sum the Grade Points: Add together the grade points for all subjects.
• Divide by the Number of Subjects: Divide the total grade points by the number of subjects taken.

Example:

Assume a student has completed five subjects with the following grades and corresponding grade points:

Subject	Grade	Grade Points
Subject 1	A	9
Subject 2	B	8
Subject 3	A	9
Subject 4	C	7
Subject 5	B	8

Calculation:

• Total Grade Points: 9 + 8 + 9 + 7 + 8 = 41
• Number of Subjects: 5
• CGPA: Total Grade Points ÷ Number of Subjects = 41 ÷ 5 = 8.2

Therefore, the student’s CGPA is 8.2.

2. GPA Formula

Follow these steps to calculate your GPA for a semester:

• List All Courses: Write down the courses for the semester, including their credit values.
• Assign Grade Points: Convert each letter grade into grade points (e.g., A = 4, B = 3, C = 2).
• Multiply by Credits: Multiply the grade points for each course by the course’s credit value.
• Total Grade Points: Add all the grade points for the semester.
• Calculate GPA: Divide the total grade points by the total credits for that semester.

GPA Formula: GPA = (Grade Points × Credits) / Total Credits For example, if a student has the following semester courses: Course 1: Grade A (4.0) in 3 credits → 4.0 ×  3 = 12 Course 2: Grade B (3.0) in 4 credits → 3.0 ×  4 = 12 Course 3: Grade C (2.0) in 2 credits → 2.0 ×  2 = 4 Total Grade Points = 12 + 12 + 4 = 28 Total Credits = 3 + 4 + 2 = 9 GPA = 28 / 9 = 3.11

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How to Convert GPA into CGPA?

Having understood the difference between CGPA and GPA, it’s essential to have a clear idea of how to convert from one to another. Converting your GPA into CGPA involves calculating the weighted average across all semesters. The process helps provide a cumulative performance metric, combining grades from all courses. 

Converting your marks into a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is a common practice in educational institutions to standardize academic performance. CGPA provides an overview of a student’s overall academic achievement across subjects.

Steps to Calculate CGPA from Marks:

• Determine Grade Points for Each Subject: Refer to your educational board’s grading system to convert your marks into grade points. For instance, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) uses the following scale:

Marks Range	Grade	Grade Point
91-100	A1	10
81-90	A2	9
71-80	B1	8
61-70	B2	7
51-60	C1	6
41-50	C2	5
33-40	D	4
21-32	E1	–
0-20	E2	–

• Assign Grade Points to Each Subject: Using the grading scale, convert your obtained marks in each subject to the corresponding grade points.
• Calculate the Total Grade Points: Add the grade points of all subjects.
• Compute the CGPA: Divide the total grade points by the number of subjects

Formula:

• CGPA = Total Grade Points / Number of Subjects

Example: Assume a student has the following marks in five subjects: Subject 1: 64 marks Subject 2: 68 marks Subject 3: 86 marks Subject 4: 55 marks Subject 5: 59 marks Steps: 1. Convert Marks to Grade Points: Subject 1: 64 marks → Grade B2 → Grade Point 7 Subject 2: 68 marks → Grade B2 → Grade Point 7 Subject 3: 86 marks → Grade A2 → Grade Point 9 Subject 4: 55 marks → Grade C1 → Grade Point 6 Subject 5: 59 marks → Grade C1 → Grade Point 6 2. Total Grade Points: 7 + 7 + 9 + 6 + 6 = 35 3. Calculate CGPA: CGPA = 35 / 5 = 7 Therefore, the student’s CGPA is 7.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have covered the difference between CGPA and GPA, explaining their significance in shaping academic and career opportunities. Understanding how these metrics work can help you track your progress and make informed decisions regarding further studies or job prospects. Whether you’re looking to apply for scholarships, admissions, or career opportunities, having a clear understanding of CGPA and GPA is important. For students aspiring to study abroad, knowing how these scores are evaluated internationally can also play a crucial role in your academic success abroad. To learn more about studying abroad, check out our blog on how to study abroad.

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