What is CGPA and How to Calculate It?

CGPA, or Cumulative Grade Point Average, is a grading system used by schools, colleges, and universities to assess a student’s overall academic performance. This system aggregates grades across all subjects to calculate an average that reflects a student’s achievements during a specific period, such as a semester or an entire academic program. It is widely accepted globally and helps standardize academic evaluations.

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Key Features of CGPA

1. Purpose: CGPA is used to represent a student’s cumulative academic performance in a standardized format.
2. Grading Scale: Typically calculated on a scale of 0 to 10, though some systems use a 4.0 or 5.0 scale.
3. Subject Inclusion: All subjects are included, and their importance is weighted based on assigned credits.

This system simplifies academic comparisons and offers a holistic overview of a student’s performance.

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How to Calculate CGPA

1. When All Subjects Have Equal Weightage

If all subjects have the same credit weight, CGPA is calculated as follows:

$$\text{CGPA} = \frac{\text{Sum of Grade Points}}{\text{Number of Subjects}}$$

Example:

Subject	Grade	Grade Point
Math	A	9
Science	B	8
English	A+	10
History	A	9

1. Add the grade points: $9 + 8 + 10 + 9 = 36$.
2. Divide the sum by the number of subjects: $$\text{CGPA} = \frac{36}{4} = 9.0$$

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2. When Subjects Have Different Credit Weights

If subjects have varying credits, use the weighted average formula:

$$\text{CGPA} = \frac{\sum (\text{Grade Point} \times \text{Credits})}{\sum (\text{Credits})}$$

Example:

Subject	Grade	Grade Point	Credits
Math	A	9	4
Science	B	8	3
English	A+	10	2
History	A	9	3

1. Multiply grade points by credits:
   $(9 \times 4) + (8 \times 3) + (10 \times 2) + (9 \times 3) = 107$.
2. Add the total credits: $4 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 12$.
3. Divide the weighted total by the total credits: $$\text{CGPA} = \frac{107}{12} \approx 8.92$$

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How to Convert CGPA to Percentage

To convert CGPA into a percentage, multiply the CGPA by the conversion factor specified by your institution. In the CBSE system, the conversion factor is 9.5.

Formula:

$$\text{Percentage} = \text{CGPA} \times \text{Conversion Factor}$$

Example:
If your CGPA is 8.5:

$$\text{Percentage} = 8.5 \times 9.5 = 80.75\%$$

Sample CGPA to Percentage Table:

CGPA	Conversion Factor	Percentage
8.0	9.5	76.0%
9.0	9.5	85.5%
6.5	9.5	61.75%

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Final Thoughts

CGPA is an effective and widely used grading system to measure academic performance. Whether you’re calculating it manually or converting it to a percentage, understanding CGPA is essential for academic and professional growth. Similarly, pursuing a program like BCA equips students with valuable technical and analytical skills to thrive in today’s tech-driven world. Always refer to your institution’s specific guidelines for accurate CGPA and syllabus details.