CGPA vs GPA: What is the Difference Between GPA and CGPA?
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CGPA vs GPA: What is the Difference Between GPA and CGPA?

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Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Dec 26, 2024 14:09 IST

There is a huge difference between CGPA and GPA, but they are both used for a common assessment of a student’s academic performance. While CGPA is more widely used in Indian institutions, GPA on the other hand is widely used for admission to universities abroad and assesses international students. Check everything about CGPA vs GPA in this article. 

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GPA
Percentage
CGPA

Out of 10

 

CGPA is calculated on a 10-point scale but GPA is calculated on a 4.0-point scale. The first is more important in terms of placements, while the latter holds value for abroad admissions among a competitive pool of applicants. This article includes all important information about the CGPA vs GPA, check it out.

What is CGPA?

CGPA also known as Cumulative Grade Point Average is a a way of assessing academic achievements at the school or college level of a set of students. There may be various reasons why institutions choose to assess students based on a cumulative grade point average and they include:

  • Core placements based on CGPA 
  • Understanding the CGPA of the applicant in a competitive environment
  • Most Indian institutions assess students based on CGPA.
  • Based on CGPA applicants can understand their overall performance in the year or semester.

To apply for education abroad, a CGPA will not be acceptable, hence, universities abroad will require a GPA score from the applicant for admission.

How to Calculate CGPA?

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To calculate CGPA, follow these simplified steps:

  1. List Courses: Note all attempted courses, their credit values, and final grades.

  2. Convert Grades: Assign grade points to each course (e.g., A = 10, B = 8).

  3. Calculate Weighted Points: Multiply the grade points by the course credits for each subject.

  4. Sum and Average:

    • Add all weighted points.
    • Divide by the total credits to find the Semester GPA.
  5. Calculate CGPA:

    • Add all Semester GPAs.
    • Divide by the number of semesters.

CGPA Calculation Formula:

  1. Semester GPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credits) / Total Credits

  2. CGPA














What is GPA?

Grade Point Average or GPA is just a number which is used to assess students based on their performance in each of the proposed credits. The reasons why a GPA is integral for applicants abroad is because:

  • It is important to apply for a scholarship to fund education abroad
  • Before joining an extracurricular club or organisation an applicant’s GPA will hold importance.
  • Also when applying for admissions abroad GPAs play a major role. 
  • GPA can fluctuate with the scores of credit points in a certain semester or over some time. Cumulative GPA is for a short term while the overall GPA gives a clearer picture. 

A GPA is the most essential component of the admission process for international students applying abroad. Thus, applicants must ensure that they score high academically so that their GPA scores are at par. If you have scores or percentages you can use a GPA calculator to calculate your GPA score. 

How to Calculate GPA?

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To calculate your GPA, follow these simplified steps:

  1. Assign Grade Points: Use a 4.0 scale (e.g., A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0).

  2. Credit Values: Note the credit value for each course (e.g., a 3-credit course).

  3. Calculate Grade Points: Multiply the grade points by the course credits (e.g., A in a 3-credit course)

  4. Total Grade Points: Add up all grade points for the semester.

  5. Calculate GPA: Divide the total grade points by the total credits attempted.

GPA Calculation Formula: 

GPA = (Grade Points×Credits) / Total Credits

CGPA vs GPA: Key Differences

There is a stark difference between GPA and CGPA, even though both are assessed for an applicant’s academic performance. Check out CGPA vs GPA in the table below:

CGPA

GPA

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is used for calculating the overall performance of the applicant.

Grade Point Average (GPA) is basically to calculate the grades for a semester. 

Varies between ‘outstanding and fail’ based on either the numerical or grade-based assessment.

GPA can be calculated from different data types - numbers, scales or grades.

CGPA Calculation:

CGPA = Weight Average GPA / Total Credit Hours

Or

CGPA into %: CGPA x 8.5 = %

GPA Calculation: 

GPA = Weighted Grade Points / Total Credit Hours 

Or,

% / 100 then multiplied by 4

Not widely accepted for study abroad admissions, acceptable within India only.

Widely accepted for study abroad admissions.

The higher the CGPA, the higher the chance for a placement.

Having a high GPA can help applicants get admission to top universities abroad. 

Anywhere above 8 grade points is a good CGPA score.

However, a GPA score of 3.4 or above is considered a good GPA score. 

Thus, the difference between CGPA and GPA is just based on the way of assessment. CGPA vs GPA are uncommonly different in computation and each of them has a different method of calculation. While CGPA may be widely used for Indian institutions, GPA on the other hand has a wider approach abroad. GPA to CGPA is rarely required for Indian students, but CGPA to GPA is required for admissions abroad. The applicants who are looking for more details can check out How to Convert Percentage to GPA?

How to Convert CGPA to GPA?

Since CGPA vs GPA have different roles and used across different institutions, their acceptance is also in limited areas of use. CGPA is scored on a 10-point scale, whereas GPA is scored on a 4.0-point scale in the majority of the cases. The following is a comparison of CGPA to GPA, the two-grade average points and an equivalent score point for international students’ reference:

CGPA (10 Point)

GPA (4.0 Point)

Grade on a 4.0 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

This is the ideal conversion from CGPA to GPA and vice versa. Thus, the applicants who are applying abroad can have a fair idea of their academic standing. Students often wish to know the conversion of 8.5 CGPA to GPA because on average, 8.5 CGPA is what the brightest of the brightest students get. But the CGPA is always marked on a 10.0-point scale, thus, students who get 8.5 can check out the 8.5 CGPA to GPA conversion from the table above. Thus, CGPA to GPA for manual calculation can be avoided and the table above can be referred to as well. 

Get more details here about How to Convert CGPA into GPA? 

Is Conversion from CGPA to GPA Always Authentic?

Usually, abroad universities suggest credential evaluations for an authentic assessment and conversion of grade point average based on university admission requirements. Thus, universities may suggest WES credentials or ECE based on their partnerships. Check out more about Credential Evaluations

In these cases, applicants must avoid converting their CGPA scores on their own into GPA for submitting admission applications, as the information may become invalid for use. 

Conversion from CGPA to GPA is thus, authentic only if they have been converted by designated agencies who are experts in this field. Thus, applicants must first understand in details about CGPA vs GPA and then take steps towards computing onr value from the other. 

Thus, this is was all about CGPA vs GPA, the different aspects, paramerts, calculations and usage. Both CGPA and GPA are useful in their own terms and roles and are used for different purposes but for the same goal ultimately. Need more clarity on CGPA vs GPA? Get in touch with us in the comments below. 

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Particulars

University of Illinois Chicago

Northern Illinois University

US News National Rankings 2024

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#273

Acceptance Rate

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Graduation Rate

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Tuition Cost

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Student-faculty ratio

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GPA vs CGPA FAQs

Q. What is GPA vs CGPA?

A. The difference between GPA and CGPA can be undertood like this - GPA and CGPA are two different grade point average which are calculated for students at a school or university. While GPA is a grade point average, CGPA is the cumulative grade point average. Both GPA and CGPA are applicable for assessing applicant's perfromance at the end of a year. 

  • CGPA can be calculated using this formula: CGPA = Weight Average GPA / Total Credit Hours
  • GPA can be calculated using this formula: GPA = Weighted Grade Points / Total Credit Hours 
  • CGPA can be calculated from GPA using this formula: CGPA = (Total Grade Point Earned in a Program) / (Total Credit Hours for GPA)
  • GPA can be calculated from CGPA using this formula: GPA  = (CGPA / Maximum CGPA) * Target GPA scale

Q. Is CGPA higher than GPA?

A. Based on calculations, GPA is technically calculated from grade points an applicant receives in a year. On the other hand, CGPA is the mean score of all the semesters. So with this logic, CGPA will always be higher than GPA. But, in some cases GPA can also be higher than CGPA if, grades improve over time of the student. There can be a case where CGPA and GPA might be nearly close or the same when the student's performance is consistent.

Q. How much is 7 CGPA in GPA?

A. Based on calculation, we use the formula: 

CGPA = GPA / 4 x 10

Hence, 

7 = GPA / 4 x 10

7x4 / 10 = GPA

GPA = 2.8

Q. Can we convert CGPA to GPA?

A. Yes, we can convert CGPA to GPA using the following formula: CGPA = GPA / 4 x 10

Through this either GPA or CGPA can be computed.

About the Author
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Written by
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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