If you are a school, college or university student you have probably come across the term CGPA. Whether you are trying to get a scholarship improve your resume for a job or stay in academic standing understanding how to calculate CGPA is very important.
In this guide we will explain what CGPA is, how it is calculated and how to calculate it from your semester grades across different grading systems.
What Does CGPA Mean?
CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average. It is the average of all the grades you have achieved across all semesters in a given course or program. While a GPA or SGPA evaluates your performance for one semester the CGPA looks at your entire academic journey.
How to Calculate CGPA
Many students make a mistake by adding up their semester GPAs and dividing by the number of semesters. This is incorrect because it ignores Credit Hours. A heavy 18-credit semester should impact your score more than a light 12-credit semester.
To find the average universities use the following formula:
Lets break it down into three easy steps.
Step 1: Determine Your Quality Points per Semester
For every semester you have completed multiply your Semester GPA by the number of credits you took that semester.
- Semester 1: You earned a 3.5 and took 16 credits. (3.5 × 16 = 56 Quality Points)
- Semester 2: You earned a 3.8 and took 14 credits. (3.8 × 14 = 53.2 Quality Points)
- Semester 3: You earned a 3.2 and took 18 credits. (3.2 × 18 = 57.6 Quality Points)
Step 2: Sum the Quality Points and the Credits
Add all your Quality Points together and then add all your attempted credits together.
- Total Quality Points: 56 + 53.2 + 57.6 = 166.8
- Total Attempted Credits: 16 + 14 + 18 = 48
Step 3: Divide to Find the Final CGPA
Finally divide your Total Quality Points by your Total Credits.
That is how you calculate your CGPA! If you do not want to do the math you can use our Automatic CGPA Calculator.
How to Calculate CGPA on the 10-Point Scale
If you live in India and attend a CBSE school, an IIT or an NIT the grading system works differently. Your CGPA is usually the average of your grade points if the credits are equal across all subjects.
The CBSE 9.5 Multiplier Rule
To convert your 10-point CGPA into an estimated percentage multiply the CGPA by 9.5. For example if your CGPA is 8.4 your percentage is (8.4 × 9.5) = 79.8%. You can also check our Percentage to CGPA Converter for quick results.
Strategies to Improve Your Score
If you have calculated your score and you are not happy with the result do not panic. Because this metric is cumulative there is always room for improvement.
- Understand the Weighting: Heavy-credit classes will move your CGPA needle faster, than a light class. Prioritize studying for your high-credit classes.
- Utilize Grade Forgiveness: Check your university handbook. Many colleges allow you to retake a course you failed.
- Take Summer Semesters: Taking 1 or 2 classes over the summer can add a nice buffer to your overall average.
For more detailed information, you can also read our guide on how to calculate CGPA from SGPA.