What is a CGPA?
Cumulative Grade Point Average is abbreviated as CGPA. It is primarily used in educational institutions to assess a student’s academic performance. It considers the grades earned throughout the semesters or terms you have completed. It is calculated by dividing the total cumulative grade points earned across all semesters or terms by the total credit hours attempted.
The formula to calculate CGPA is generally as follows:
CGPA = (Sum of (Grade Point × Course Credits)) / Total Credits
What is SGPA?
Semester Grade Point Average is abbreviated as SGPA. It is yet another method for assessing a student’s academic performance, but only for one semester at a time. The SGPA provides a snapshot of a student’s performance in a specific semester and enables the institution to evaluate the student based on the current semester’s courses.
The formula to calculate SGPA is generally as follows:
SGPA = (Sum of (Grade Point × Course Credits)) / Total Credits
Conversion of SGPA to CGPA
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to convert SGPA to CGPA:
- Collect Data: Compile your SGPA, total credits, and grade points for each semester. This information should be available for all semesters completed thus far.
- Calculate Total Grade Points for Each Semester: Multiply the SGPA by the total number of credits for each semester. This displays the total number of grade points earned in that semester.
Total Grade Points (TGPA) = SGPA × Total Credits
- Calculate Cumulative Grade Points: To calculate the cumulative grade point average, add the total grade points earned in each semester. This represents the total number of grade points earned during your academic career up to that point.
Cumulative Grade Points (CGP) = Sum of TGPA for all completed semesters
- Calculate Total Credits: To calculate the total credits, add the total credits earned in all completed semesters.
Total Credits (TC) = Sum of Total Credits for all completed semesters
- Calculate CGPA: To calculate your CGPA, divide your cumulative grade points (CGP) by your total credits (TC).
CGPA = CGP / TC
Sample of Converting SGPA to CGPA
Let’s take an example so that you can understand the concept of conversion from SGPA to CGPA easily.
So, Arjun is a student and has completed 3 semesters, and here are the scores that he procured:
Semester 1: SGPA = 3.5; Total Credits = 15
Semester 2: SGPA = 3.7; Total Credits = 18
Semester 3: SGPA = 3.9; Total Credits = 14
Now, we would calculate the CGPA after each semester:
Semester 1:
TGPA = SGPA × Total Credits = 3.5 × 15 = 52.5
Semester 2:
TGPA = SGPA × Total Credits = 3.7 × 18 = 66.6
Semester 3:
TGPA = SGPA × Total Credits = 3.9 × 14 = 54.6
Calculate Cumulative Grade Points:
Cumulative Grade Points (CGP) = Sum of TGPA for all completed semesters
CGP = 52.5 + 66.6 + 54.6 = 173.7
Calculate Total Credits:
Total Credits (TC) = Sum of Total Credits for all completed semesters
TC = 15 + 18 + 14 = 47
Calculate CGPA:
CGPA = CGP / TC = 173.7 / 47 ≈ 3.69
After completing the three semesters, Arjun’s CGPA would be around 3.69.
This is one of the simplified versions of converting SGPA to CGPA. The process in real would be a bit different as there would be more semesters, courses, and credit scores as well.
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Conclusion
Academic performance assessment is critical in education, and two key metrics, CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) and SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) are critical in gauging student accomplishments. A comprehensive measure, CGPA, evaluates a student’s overall academic progress over the course of their academic career. CGPA represents a student’s overall performance by summing the product of grade points and course credits in overall completed terms.
SGPA, on the other hand, focuses on individual semesters, providing a snapshot of a student’s performance during a specific term. This enables institutions to evaluate the student based on the courses offered during the current semester. The process of converting from SGPA to CGPA is methodical. It entails adding up the total grade points and total credits for each semester, which are then used to compute the cumulative grade points and total credits. The final CGPA is calculated by dividing the cumulative grade points by the total number of credits.
In the given example of a student named Arjun completing three semesters with varying SGPA and total credits, converting his SGPA to CGPA necessitates meticulous calculations. This procedure provides educators and students with a comprehensive understanding of academic progress, allowing informed decisions about further education or career paths.
FAQs
What is the difference between SGPA and CGPA?
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) measures your performance in a specific semester, while CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) represents your overall performance across all completed semesters.
Why is CGPA important?
CGPA provides a holistic view of your academic performance throughout your academic journey. It’s often used for determining honors, eligibility for scholarships, and showcasing your overall capabilities.
How is CGPA calculated?
CGPA is calculated by dividing the total cumulative grade points earned across all semesters by the total credit hours attempted. The formula is: CGPA = Total Cumulative Grade Points / Total Credits.
Can I calculate my CGPA after every semester?
Yes, you can calculate your CGPA after each semester by considering the SGPA and total credits earned up to that point.
What if I have repeated courses? How are they considered in CGPA?
If you repeat a course, both attempts are usually included in the CGPA calculation. Each attempt’s grade points and credits are considered.
How does CGPA affect job applications?
CGPA is often used by employers as an initial screening criterion. A higher CGPA can make you more competitive during the job application process.
Can I improve my CGPA?
Yes, you can improve your CGPA by performing well in your courses. Higher grades in subsequent semesters can positively impact your CGPA.
What if my institution uses a different grading scale?
The conversion process remains similar, but you would need to map the grades to their corresponding grade points according to your institution’s grading scale.
What happens to my CGPA if I take additional credits beyond the minimum required?
If you take additional credits beyond the minimum requirement, those credits and corresponding grade points will also be factored into your CGPA calculation.
Is there a minimum CGPA requirement to graduate?
Many institutions have a minimum CGPA requirement for graduation. Make sure to check your institution’s policies to understand the CGPA needed for degree completion.
Avinash Singh is a study abroad consultant with over 10 years of experience helping students achieve their academic goals. He is an expert in the US, Australian, German, and Canadian education systems and has helped hundreds of students secure admission to top universities around the world. In his spare time, Avinash enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with his family. He is also an avid reader and loves to learn new things.
