What is GPA: Meaning, Calculation and Grading System

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The concept of grading student work quantitatively was invented by William Farish in 1792.

What is GPA? It is a numeric measure of a student’s academic performance, usually on a 4.0 scale. Top US universities like Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford admit students with an average GPA score of 3.9 or higher. A strong GPA boosts chances for Bachelor’s or Master’s program admissions, scholarships, internships, and even eligibility for student visas. 

Understanding what is CGPA and GPA helps students compare long-term academic performance (CGPA) with semester-specific results (GPA). Universities convert letter grades into points and average them with credit hours, creating a standardized measure of performance for competitive courses and global applications. 

In this blog, you’ll learn what is GPA and CGPA, how to calculate your GPA score, and what benchmarks you need for scholarships, Bachelor’s or Master’s programs, and student visa requirements.  

What is GPA? Purpose & Importance for Academics

GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a numerical representation of a student's academic performance, calculated based on the grades received in courses. It is used primarily to assess how well a student is doing in their academic program, providing a standardized measure of success over a period of time.

Apart from measuring academic performance, GPA is used for purposes such as:

• Admissions: Your GPA plays a crucial role in college and grad school admissions. For example, Harvard typically expects a GPA of 3.9 or higher for admission.
• Academic Progression: GPA ensures that you meet the standards for advancing in your studies. At UC Berkeley, for example, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 to avoid academic probation and continue their studies.
• Scholarships and Financial Aid: A strong GPA can secure scholarships and financial aid. For example, Merit-based scholarships often require a minimum GPA of 3.5 to qualify.

While GPA is essential for admission and academic progression, understanding how GPA corresponds to academic grades can be beneficial. Below is a tabulated representation of GPA scores and their corresponding grades.

Note: It’s a general scale, not specific to any university

Learn the differences between GPA and CGPA to understand how your academic performance is evaluated and improve your study abroad applications. 

Now that you understand what is GPA and its purpose, let’s take a closer look at the different types of GPA.

Types of GPA: Weighted and Unweighted GPA

When it comes to GPA, there are two types: weighted and unweighted. The weighted GPA takes into account the difficulty of the courses you take, and has a scale of 5.0 or more. So, if you take advanced courses like AP, those will be worth more points than regular classes. 

On the other hand, the unweighted GPA does not consider the difficulty of the classes, and all courses are graded on a standard 4.0 scale. 

Here’s how weighted and unweighted GPAs differ:

Unweighted GPA reflects overall academic performance, while weighted GPA rewards students for taking advanced courses. Both are considered in college admissions, but unweighted GPAs are usually used for academic eligibility.

After examining the differences between weighted and unweighted GPAs, let's now explore how cumulative and semester GPAs differ.

Difference Between Cumulative GPA and Semester GPA

Understanding both cumulative GPA (CGPA) and semester GPA (SGPA) is important for students because each one offers a different perspective on academic performance. The CGPA grading system represents your overall academic performance, considering every class you've taken from the start of your studies up to the present. 

On the other hand, the semester GPA is a more immediate measure. It looks at how well you did during a specific semester, factoring only in the courses you took in that term. 

Let’s take a closer look at the differences between these two types:

Need to convert your CGPA to GPA?? Use upGrad’s CGPA to GPA Calculator to estimate your GPA for US or German universities and check your eligibility for courses and scholarships!

You can also try the upGrad SGPA to Percentage converter for an easy and precise conversion of your Semester GPA into percentages.

Now that you understand the difference between cumulative and semester GPA, you can determine the score needed to be eligible for scholarships or to progress to the next level.

Step-by-Step Process to Calculate GPA

Accurate GPA calculation is crucial as it serves as a key indicator of your academic achievements. It impacts opportunities such as college admissions, qualification for financial aid, and eligibility for honors or awards.

A clear understanding of your GPA helps you stay on track with your academic goals and ensures you are eligible for college admissions or job applications.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to calculate GPA:

• Step 1: List All Your Courses: 
  • Write down all the courses you took during the semester or academic term.
  • Include the course name and the credit hours for each course. 
• Step 2: Determine the Grade for Each Course: 
  • Check the grade you received for each class. 
  • For example, you might have an A in Math, a B in History, etc.
• Step 3: Assign Grade Points: Convert your letter grades into grade points. Here’s a standard scale you can follow (make changes if your school uses a different scale):
  • A = 4.0
  • B = 3.0
  • C = 2.0
  • D = 1.0
  • F = 0.0

For pluses and minuses:

• A- = 3.7
• B+ = 3.3
• B- = 2.7
• C+ = 2.3
• Step 4: Multiply Grade Points by Credit Hours: 
  • For each course, multiply the grade points by the number of credit hours. 
  • This gives you the weighted grade points for each course.
• Step 5: Add Up All the Weighted Grade Points: 
  • Now, add all the weighted grade points together. 
  • This will give you the total weighted grade points for the semester.
• Step 6: Add Up All the Credit Hours: 
  • Next, add the credit hours for all your courses. 
  • This tells you how many total credit hours you took during the semester.
• Step 7: Calculate Your GPA: 
  • To find your GPA, divide the total weighted grade points by the total credit hours.
  • This gives you your GPA for the semester.

To understand the process, let’s take an example:

1. You took the following subjects with corresponding credit hours:

• Maths: 3 credit hours
• History: 4 credit hours
• Science: 3 credit hours
• English: 3 credit hours

2. The following are the grades received:

• Math (A) = 4.0
• History (B) = 3.0
• Science (A-) = 3.7
• English (B+) = 3.3

3. Multiple credit points by grade hours:

• Math: 4.0 (grade points) × 3 (credit hours) = 12.0 weighted grade points
• History: 3.0 (grade points) × 4 (credit hours) = 12.0 weighted grade points
• Science: 3.7 (grade points) × 3 (credit hours) = 11.1 weighted grade points
• English: 3.3 (grade points) × 3 (credit hours) = 9.9 weighted grade points

4. Add all the weighted grade points:

12.0 (Math) + 12.0 (History) + 11.1 (Science) + 9.9 (English) = 45.0 total weighted grade points

5. Add all the credit hours:

3 (Math) + 4 (History) + 3 (Science) + 3 (English) = 13 total credit hours

6. Calculate the GPA by dividing the total weighted grade points by the total credit hours:

45.0 (total weighted grade points) ÷ 13 (total credit hours) = 3.46 GPA

Here’s a tabulated representation of values:

While the 4.0 GPA scale is the most commonly used, there are other scales, such as 5.0 and 10.0. Let’s explore them.

Different Types of GPA Scales: 5.0 & 10.0

Understanding the differences between various GPA scales is crucial as it can impact your academic standing and eligibility for scholarships or admissions. 

Being familiar with variations helps you handle admissions processes, make informed academic decisions, and accurately present your academic records to institutions or employers.

Here are the differences between a 5.0and 10.0 scale:

Knowing how to convert grades from the GPA scale to percentages can be beneficial for standardizing your scores with admission requirements. Let’s explore how to do that.

How to Convert Percentage to GPA?

If you're applying to universities abroad, converting your percentage to GPA is essential because it helps align your academic record with international grading systems. 

Since each country and sometimes each university uses a different GPA scale, converting your marks accurately ensures your application is assessed fairly and avoids any confusion or misjudgment of your academic standing.

Here’s how you can convert your percentage to GPA:

• Step 1: Calculate Your Percentage: Divide your total marks by the maximum possible marks and multiply by 100.
• Step 2: Identify the GPA Scale: Check if the university uses a 4.0, 5.0, or 10.0 scale.
• Step 3: Use a Linear Conversion Formula: If your institution doesn’t provide a specific chart, you can use a simple formula for a linear conversion from percentage to GPA. 

Common formulas to calculate GPAs include:

• Percentage to GPA on a 4.0 scale:

GPA=(Percentage-50)/10

• Percentage to GPA on a 10.0 scale:

GPA=(Percentage)/10

• Percentage to GPA on a 5.0 scale:

GPA=(Percentage)/20

For illustration, consider an example of converting 85% into GPA for a 4.0, 10.0, and 5.0 scale.

• For 4.0 scale: GPA=(Percentage-50)/10 = GPA = 85-50/10=3.5
• For 10.0 scale: GPA=(Percentage)/10 = GPA = 85/10=8.5
• For 5.0 scale: GPA=(Percentage)/20 = GPA = 85/20=4.25

Note: These are rough estimates. Many universities use credential evaluation services like WES (World Education Services) for precise GPA calculations.

Also Read: How to Convert Percentage to GPA: A Step-by-Step Process

Converting your percentage to GPA helps you prepare in advance for cutoff scores. Now, let’s explore what constitutes a good GPA to study abroad.

What GPA is Required to Study Abroad?

The GPA required to study abroad varies by country, university, and program. Competitive universities typically require higher GPAs, often above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, especially for specialized programs like engineering or medicine. 

A strong GPA not only impacts admission but also plays a key role in securing scholarships, internships, and job opportunities. Many employers and scholarships, such as the Tata Scholarship, set minimum GPA thresholds for eligibility.

Here are the GPA requirements to study abroad:

Note: The GPA scores provided are indicative and should not be considered absolute. 

With the minimum GPA requirements in mind, it’s important to understand what constitutes a good GPA.

What is a Good GPA?

A "good GPA" can vary depending on its purpose. For university admissions, a GPA above 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is often considered competitive, but top-tier universities may require a GPA closer to 3.7 or higher. 

For scholarships, the required GPA usually depends on the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, with merit-based scholarships requiring higher GPAs. Understanding the specific requirements of your desired program or scholarship is crucial for defining what qualifies as a "good" GPA.

Here’s how you can determine a good GPA score:

Note: 

• The GPA scores provided are indicative and should not be considered absolute. Factors such as research experience and standardized test scores also play a significant role in admission decisions and scholarship eligibility.
• In the Indian system, a GPA of 3.7+ (on a 4.0 scale) is often equivalent to 75–80% or a CGPA of 8.0+

The minimum GPA required to study abroad varies depending on the course and university. Now, let’s find out how upGrad can help you in this process.

How Can upGrad Help You Study Abroad?

upGrad is here to guide you through every step of your study abroad journey. From helping you choose the right university and program to assisting with crafting standout SOPs and LORs, upGrad ensures your application stands out. Through visa assistance, you can get help in filling out forms and preparing for visa interviews so that you can focus on your future.

In addition, upGrad offers expert career counseling to help you connect your education with job opportunities after you graduate. And when it comes to standardized tests, upGrad provides resources for exams like the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS, making sure you’re fully prepared for the next step in your journey.

Conclusion

Knowing what is GPA helps you understand your academic performance and plan your next steps. Your GPA score shows how well you are doing in your courses and can guide you when applying for Bachelor’s or Master’s programs abroad. It also plays a role in scholarships and student visa applications. 

Understanding what is CGPA and GPA it easier to track your performance over multiple semesters. Focus on steady improvement, maintain consistent grades, and use your GPA as a guide for planning your studies. Paying attention to these numbers today can open more opportunities and give you confidence for your future academic journey. 

Want to know more about what is GPA score for top universities. Book free one-on-one counseling session with upGrad and get expert guidance on course-wise GPA requirements for universities and scholarships!