Universities abroad use different grading systems like SGPA and CGPA to consider the academic performance of students. Whether an individual is looking to get admission in the US, UK, Australia, or others, understanding SGPA and CGPA is very important. Moreover, by filling out the application form for these universities, one must know the difference between SGPA and CGPA. In this article, we will get to know about what SGPA and CGPA are and what the difference is between both of them.
Semester Grade Point Average (SGPA)
The semester Grade point average is a measure of the performance of an individual in a particular semester. Moreover, it means how a student has performed in a specific semester. Furthermore, it snapshots grade points in the course one has taken during the semester. However, SGPA is calculated by adding the grade points the student has obtained in each course and then calculating the weighted average.
The formula for calculating SGPA
- SGPA= ∑(Credits × Grade Points)/ ∑Credits
Here:
- Credit = Credits assigned to the course
- Grade Points = Grade Obtained in the course
Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA)
The cumulative Grade point average calculates the overall academic performance of an individual in various semesters. Moreover, it is an average of all SGPA grades obtained by a student. It determines the overall performance of a candidate in a whole year. Along with this, it is calculated on a scale of 0 to 4.0.
The formula for calculating CGPA
- CGPA= ∑(SGPA × Credits) / ∑Credits
Here:
- SGPA= semester Grade point average
- Credit = total credit till the current semester
Difference Between SGPA and CGPA
The full form of SGPA is Semester Grade Point Average, whereas the full form of CGPA is Cumulative Grade Point Average. Moreover, SGPA totally focuses on one semester at a time. On the other hand, CGPA looks at the overall performance of a student. Along with this, CGPA gives an overall idea of a candidate’s academic performance throughout the year. So, SGPA is zooming in on a single semester while CGPA is roaming out to see the overall performance at a time. Let’s get more difference between SGPA and CGPA:
- Full form:
- SGPA – Semester Grade Point Average
- CGPA – Cumulative Grade Point Average
2. Time period :
- Semester Grade point Average- Calculates performance of a single semester
- Cumulative Grade point Average- Calculates overall academic performances
3. Grading Scale:
- SGPA – 0 – 10/ 0 – 4
- CGPA – 0 – 10 / 0 – 4
4. frequency:
- SGPA – calculated at the end of every semester
- CGPA – calculated at the end of a year
5. Timespan:
- Semester Grade point Average – Single Semester
- Cumulative Grade point Average – Entire duration of Course
6. Scope:
- SGPA – one will get to know about the scope of various subjects in the future on the basis of recent performance.
- CGPA – one will get to know about the scope of various subjects in the future on the basis of overall performance.
7. Acceptance:
- SGPA – This evaluation system is accepted worldwide. Moreover, it is used for semester-wise evolution.
- CGPA – This evolution system is also accepted worldwide. Apart from this, it is an overall academic evolution.
How to Calculate SGPA and CGPA?
Here, we will learn about calculating SGPA (semester Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) step by step. Let us understand this with an example:
Step 1: Understanding the grading system
To calculate SGPA and CGPA one should understand the grading system clearly. Moreover, it is crucial to know about the grading system any particular institution is using. For example: here we are using 4 – a point grading scale:
- A = 4.0
- B = 3.0
- C = 2.0
- D = 1.0
- F = 0.0
Step 2: Calculating SGPA
SGP is calculated by adding the grade points of an individual in all courses. Moreover, it is weighted by each course credit.
- Course 1: Grade B (3.0), Credits 3
- Course 2: Grade A (4.0), Credits 4
- Course 3: Grade C (2.0), Credits 3
To Calculate Semester Grade Point Average Multiplying grades by their credits:
- Course 1: 3.0 * 3 = 9.0
- Course 2: 4.0 * 4 = 16.0
- Course 3: 2.0 * 3 = 6.0
- Adding total grade points: 9.0+16.0+ 6.0 = 31.0
- Adding total credits: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10
- Now dividing total grade points by total credits: 31.0 / 10 = 3.1
So, this Semester’s SGPA is 3.1.
Step 3: Calculating CGPA
The Cumulative Grade Point Average is the sum of all SGPA in multiple semesters. Moreover, it is weighted by each semester’s credit. Let’s take an example:
- Semester 1 = 3.0
- Semester 2 = 3.2
- Semester 3 = 3.1
Calculating CGPA
- Adding all the SGPA: 3.0 + 3.2 + 3.1= 9.3
- Dividing total SGPA by total number of Semesters: 9.3 / 3 = 3.1
So, these three semesters CGPA is 3.1.
Conclusion
To know, the difference between SGPA and CGPA is very important. Moreover, it helps in getting through the detailed admission process of various universities. Along with this, it also maximizes one’s chances of studying abroad. However, many universities look after both Semester Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average to assess academic performance. As SGPA, reflects consistency in a particular semester. While CGPA reflects overall Consistency.
