What is CGPA? Why it is important

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is an average of all grades you've achieved during your school performance or college. This ratio number is calculated to a maximum of the decimal point of two. CGPA calculation is calculated by adding the grades of all subjects and then dividing them by the total number of subjects.

The grading system was invented by William Farish, a Cambridge University, England professor, in 1972. He introduced CGPA to understand his students' minds, ensure they grasped what was taught and help assess their performance.

Fun fact: Before its introduction to the education system, factories initially used the grading system to rate the manufactured product quality.

Your grades and performance are crucial for academic opportunities in international universities and colleges. Let's look at how CGPA can benefit your academic performance in particular: 

• Recognises your strengths and weaknesses: This method simplifies the grading system and allows you to identify and focus on your weaknesses to improve them. It can also help you build your power to take it forward. 

• Reduces pressure: It eases the burden of getting high marks off your shoulders as the report card will not display the marks but only grades. The only thing you will be focusing on is getting high marks. 

• Modern way of grading: With the CGPA system, your grade does not solely depend upon academic performance but rather on attendance, assignments accomplishments, attendance, etc. 

• Simple study structure: As the focus shifts from getting scores to completing other tasks, you will find it much easier to achieve high marks by completing different areas of study. 

• Promotes a comprehensive approach to instruction: CGPA is an excellent indicator of average, weak and bright students. It also allows teachers to focus and give more time to below-par and ordinary students within the classroom.

To simplify the difference, GPA is an abbreviation for Grade Point Average, whereas CGPA is a reference to Cumulative Grade points average. GPA is usually used to refer to only one domain or subject while CGPA displays the overall achievement of the student. It is calculated by making a comparison of the GPA across all disciplines.

Here are the steps to convert a CGPA into a percentage: 

1. Start by computing the highest possible CGPA, which is 4.0 on the Pakistani grading scale. 

2. Next, divide the CGPA by 25. This step is necessary because while the percentage system uses a scale of 100, the Pakistani CGPA system operates on a scale of 4. Multiplying the CGPA by 25 yields the equivalent percentage. 

3. Round off the resulting percentage to two decimal points for the final outcome. 

To summarise, converting a Pakistani CGPA into a percentage involves increasing the CGPA by 25 and then rounding off the result to two decimal points.

Converting CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) to marks usually requires converting the CGPA to a corresponding percentage or grade scale. The exact conversion can vary depending on the institution's grading system. This is a general approach:  
 
1. Determine the grading scale: Find out what grading scale your institution or educational board uses. For example, some institutions may use a 10-point scale (e.g., 10 for A+, 9 for A, and so on), whereas others may use another scale. 
 
2. Identify the corresponding marks: Once you have determined the grading scale, figure out the range of marks for each grade. The institution or educational board usually provides this information.  
 
3. Convert CGPA to marks: Use the CGPA you want to determine the corresponding marks range using the grading scale. For example, if your CGPA is 8.5 on a 10-point scale and A is considered 85% or higher, you would map 8.5 to the corresponding mark range (85-100%).  
 
4. Calculate marks: Based on the mapping, you may need to interpolate between mark ranges if the CGPA is between two grades. Use the appropriate method to compute the equivalent marks based on the CGPA.  
 
5. Verify with the institution: To ensure accuracy and consistency, you should always verify the conversion method with your institution or educational board.  
 
*Remember that the conversion method may differ depending on the grading system in use, so make sure to confirm the guidelines provided by your institution or educational board.  

To maintain a high CGPA, you must follow the below: 

1. Attend classes consistently: 

Ensuring regular attendance in classes is paramount to maintaining a high CGPA. It keeps you abreast of course content and prevents missing crucial information. 

2. Engage actively in class: 

Active participation fosters better comprehension of course material and enhances retention. Additionally, it can earn you participation points or bonus marks, positively impacting your grade. 

3. Take thorough notes: 

Maintain organised and comprehensive notes during lectures. This practice aids in effective review and study sessions, facilitating better recall of key concepts during exams. 

4. Regularly review course material: 

Avoid last-minute cramming by consistently reviewing course material. This approach aids in better information retention and diminishes study-related stress. 

5. Seek assistance when necessary: 

Feel free to reach out to professors, teaching assistants or tutors for assistance if you encounter difficulties with course material. Their guidance can provide invaluable support and clarify any uncertainties. 

6. Manage your time effectively: 

Balancing coursework with other obligations through efficient time management is crucial. It helps in prioritising tasks, reducing stress and maintaining academic excellence.

Which CGPA is grade A? 

Grade 'A' typically corresponds to a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) of 9.0 or above on a scale of 10.  

 
What is an effective CGPA? 

An effective CGPA often refers to a weighted average CGPA that considers the credits associated with each course. It's calculated similarly to regular CGPA but incorporates the credit hours of each course, giving more weight to courses with higher credit hours. This is particularly relevant in academic systems where courses have varying credit weights.