As a student you often hear terms like CGPA, OGPA, SGPA, and GPA but do you know what are the key differences between them don’t worry we will guide you to the difference between them. Let’s discuss them one by one.
CGPA (cumulative grade point average)
CGPA is a mathematical measurement of your academic performance. It is calculated by taking the average of your academic score.it is mostly calculated on a scale of 10 but you can use 7 ,4 and 5 scale to calculate them.
For example if you have eight semesters your CGPA is average for all eight semesters.it will provide your clear picture of your academic journey
Let’s take one numerical example ;
Semester 1:
Subject 1: (9/10), Credit = 3
Subject 2: (8/10), Credit = 4
Grade Points for Semester 1:
- Subject 1: 9 × 3 = 27
- Subject 2: 8 × 4 = 32
Total Grade Points = 27 + 32 = 59
Total Credit = 3 + 4 = 7
CGPA for Semester 1 = 59 ÷ 7 = 8.43
Semester 2:
- Subject 1: (10/10), Credit = 4
- Subject 2: Grade B (8/10), Credit = 3
- Subject 3: Grade A (9/10), Credit = 3
Grade Points for Semester 2:
- Subject 1: 10 × 4 = 40
- Subject 2: 8 × 3 = 24
- Subject 3: 9 × 3 = 27
Total Grade Points = 40 + 24 + 27 = 91
Total Credit = 4 + 3 + 3 = 10
CGPA for Semester 2 = 91 ÷ 10 = 9.10
Cumulative CGPA:
Now, to calculate the cumulative CGPA after both semesters, we combine the total grade points and total credit hours from both semesters:
- Total Grade = 59 (Semester 1) + 91 (Semester 2) = 150
- Total Credits = 7 (Semester 1) + 10 (Semester 2) = 17
Cumulative CGPA = 150 ÷ 17 = 8.82
= 8.82
OGPA (Overall Grade Point Average)
It is similar to CGPA but often used for agricultural and veterinary universities. It calculates your grade points average for the entire course and all subjects and all semesters. It is a similar calculation method which is used for Cgpa.
Semester 1:
- Subject 1 : Grade A (9/10), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 2: Grade B (8/10), Credit Hours = 4
- Subject 3: Grade C (6/10), Credit Hours = 3
Semester 2:
- Subject 1: Grade A (10/10), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 2: Grade B (8/10), Credit Hours = 4
- Subject 3: Grade A (9/10), Credit Hours = 3
Step-by-Step Calculation of OGPA:
Step 1: Convert Grades to Grade Points
Using a 10-point scale:
- Grade A = 9 points
- Grade B = 8 points
- Grade C = 6 points
Step 2: Calculate Grade Points for Each Course
Semester 1:
- Subject 1: 9 × 3 = 27 points
- Subject 2: 8 × 4 = 32 points
- Subject 3: 6 × 3 = 18 points
Semester 2:
- Subject 1: 10 × 3 = 30 points
- Subject 2: 8 × 4 = 32 points
- Subject 3: 9 × 3 = 27 points
Step 3: Add Up Total Grade Points and Total Credit Hours
Total Grade Points:
- Semester 1: 27 + 32 + 18 = 77 points
- Semester 2: 30 + 32 + 27 = 89 points
Total Credit Hours:
- Semester 1: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 credit hours
- Semester 2: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10 credit hours
Overall Total Grade Points = 77 + 89 = 166 points
Overall Total Credit Hours = 10 + 10 = 20 credit hours
Step 4: Calculate the OGPA
= 166/20
= 8.30
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average)
SGPA is used to measure each semester’s performance.it is average of all subjects marks. If you have 4 subjects in your semester then your SGPA will be average of all 4 subjects. It is useful for tracking each semester’s progress and identifying areas where you need improvement.
Let’s take one example if you got following score and grade
- Subject 1: Grade A (9/10), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 2: Grade B (8/10), Credit Hours = 4
- Subject 3: Grade C (6/10), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 4: Grade A (9/10), Credit Hours = 2
- Subject 5: Grade B (8/10), Credit Hours = 3
Step-by-Step Calculation
Step 1: Convert the grades into grade points based on your university’s grading scale.
- Subject 1: Grade A = 9 grade points
- Subject 2: Grade B = 8 grade points
- Subject 3: Grade C = 6 grade points
- Subject 4: Grade A = 9 grade points
- Subject 5: Grade B = 8 grade points
Step 2: Multiply the grade points with their credit hours of each subject:
- Subject 1: 9 × 3 = 27
- Subject 2: 8 × 4 = 32
- Subject 3: 6 × 3 = 18
- Subject 4: 9 × 2 = 18
- Subject 5: 8 × 3 = 24
Step 3: Add up the total grade points and total credit hours:
- Total Grade Points = 27 + 32 + 18 + 18 + 24 = 119
- Total Credit Hours = 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 15
Step 4: Divide the total grade points by the total credit hours to find the SGPA:
SGPA=Total Grade Points / Total Credit Hours
=151/19
=7.93
Result:
Your SGPA for the semester is 7.93.
GPA (Grade Point Average)
GPA is a general term which can refer to cumulative performance like CGPA or your performance in a specific semester like SGPA. Some countries use GPA more commonly than CGPA or SGPA.
It is the average of grade points you earned in your courses. It is calculated on a scale of 4.0 or on a scale of 7,5 or 10 depending on the educational institution.
Courses and Grades:
- Subject 1: Grade A (4.0), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 2: Grade B (3.0), Credit Hours = 3
- Subject 3: Grade C (2.0), Credit Hours = 4
- Subject 4: Grade A (4.0), Credit Hours = 2
Step 1: Multiply grade points by credit hours:
- Subject 1: 4.0 × 3 = 12.0
- Subject 2: 3.0 × 3 = 9.0
- Subject 3: 2.0 × 4 = 8.0
- Subject 4: 4.0 × 2 = 8.0
Step 2: Add up the total grade points:
- Total Grade Points = 12.0 + 9.0 + 8.0 + 8.0 = 37.0
Step 3: Add up the total credit hours:
- Total Credit Hours = 3 + 3 + 4 + 2 = 12
Step 4: Divide the total grade points by total credit hours:
GPA
= Total Credit Point/ Credit Hour
=37.0/12
=3.08