Comparing GPA and CGPA: A Look at the Key Differences is that GPA is a measure of academic performance in a single term, while CGPA is a measure of academic performance across multiple terms.
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What is GPA?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average, a measure of a student’s academic performance. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. The GPA is usually expressed on a scale of 0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest possible GPA. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. The GPA is usually expressed on a scale of 0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest possible GPA.
To calculate a GPA, you will need to first determine the grade point value for each course you have taken. This is typically done by assigning a certain number of points to each letter grade, with higher grades being worth more points. For example, an A might be worth 4 points, a B might be worth 3 points, and so on.
Once you have determined the grade point value for each course, you can calculate your GPA by dividing the total number of grade points you have earned by the total number of credit hours you have attempted. For example, if you earned 12-grade points in three courses worth 4 credit hours each, your GPA would be 4.0 (12 / 4 = 3, and 3 x 4 = 12).
It’s important to note that different schools and universities may have their own specific grading systems and scales for calculating GPA, so the exact process for calculating GPA can vary depending on the institution.
What is CGPA?
CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average, a measure of a student’s overall academic performance over a period of time, usually a semester or an academic year. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted, including all courses taken during the period of time being considered. Like the GPA, the CGPA is also usually expressed on a scale of 0 to 4.0. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. The GPA is usually expressed on a scale of 0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest possible GPA.
To calculate a GPA, you will need to first determine the grade point value for each course you have taken. This is typically done by assigning a certain number of points to each letter grade, with higher grades being worth more points. For example, an A might be worth 4 points, a B might be worth 3 points, and so on.
Once you have determined the grade point value for each course, you can calculate your GPA by dividing the total number of grade points you have earned by the total number of credit hours you have attempted. For example, if you earned 12-grade points in three courses worth 4 credit hours each, your GPA would be 4.0 (12 / 4 = 3, and 3 x 4 = 12).
It’s important to note that different schools and universities may have their own specific grading systems and scales for calculating GPA, so the exact process for calculating GPA can vary depending on the institution.
Comparing GPA and CGPA
The main difference between GPA and CGPA is that the GPA is a measure of a student’s academic performance in a single semester or academic term, while the CGPA is a measure of a student’s overall academic performance over a longer period of time, such as multiple semesters or an entire academic career.
Here are some key differences between GPA and CGPA:
Time period: The GPA reflects a student’s performance in a single semester or academic term, while the CGPA reflects a student’s overall performance over multiple semesters or an entire academic career.
Course selection: The GPA only takes into account the courses taken during a single semester or academic term, while the CGPA considers all courses taken during the period of time being considered.
Weighting: The GPA does not take into account the difficulty of the courses taken, while the CGPA may give more weight to harder courses.
Importance: The GPA is often more critical than the CGPA, as it is a more current measure of a student’s academic performance and is often used to determine eligibility for certain programs or scholarships. However, both the GPA and CGPA are important and can be used to gauge a student’s academic progress and potential.
How To Calculate GPA
| Courses | Credit Hrs | Grade | Point for Grades | Weighted Grade Pts. |
| Chem 101 | 4 | B | 4 | 4 x 4 = 16 |
| Maths 104 | 3 | A | 3 | 3 x 3 = 9 |
| English103 | 3 | B | 3 | 3 x 3 = 9 |
| Science 107 | 5 | A | 4 | 5 x 4 =20 |
| Total = 15 | Total = 54 |
GPA = 54/15 = 3.6
CGPA Example & Calculation
| Semesters | Credit Hours | GPA | Weight Average GPA |
| 1 | 22 | 3.5 | 22 x 3.5 = 77 |
| 2 | 20 | 3.2 | 20 x 3.2 = 64 |
| Total = 42 | Total = 141 |
CGPA = 141/42 = 3.36
Summary
GPA, or grade point average, is a measure of a student’s overall academic performance in a single academic term, typically a semester. It is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. CGPA, or cumulative grade point average, is a measure of a student’s overall academic performance across multiple academic terms, typically multiple semesters or even an entire degree program. It takes into account all of the courses and grades earned over an extended period of time, rather than just a single term or semester. The main difference between GPA and CGPA is the time period that they cover. GPA measures performance in a single term or semester, while CGPA measures performance across multiple terms or semesters.