Understanding the Indian Grading System

GPA is the abbreviation for Grade Point Average. This marking system is also
followed in many Indian schools, colleges and universities. But the system
followed by Indian institutions is quite different from that followed abroad. Firstly
one should know what GPA is. We already know GPA stands for grade point
average. It is used to calculate the average grades of students over a given period
of time, say semester or term. The GPA is calculated by dividing the average grade
points achieved by the student by the total credits present in the entire course
period.

On the other hand, CGPA is an abbreviation for cumulative grade point
average. It denotes the student’s average grade after the entire course. It assesses
the student’s performance throughout the academic program, like bachelor’s
degree, master’s degree or school’s academic year. It is a parameter to judge the
student’s entire year’s performance. Credits are the entire time period spent by
the students in class and grade points are the marks attained by the student in
each subject.

To calculate the CGPA, one has to divide the total of grade score by
total credits. Now, marks might be on basis of CGPA or SGPA. One might be
thinking that what the difference between SGPA and CGPA is. SGPA is Semester
end Grade Point Average whereas CGPA is Cumulative grade Point Average. SGPA
can be converted to CGPA by easy calculation. The conversion formula can be used
to convert SGPA to CGPA easily. CGPA could easily be obtained by adding the
SGPAs of all semesters and dividing the sum with total number of semesters.

GPA in the Indian education system

GPA calculation in India is very much different from that used in schools and
colleges abroad and this can make Indian students quite confused when they try
to apply in international schools. In India, students are mostly marked on basis of
percentage, which later is divided into four ranks known as divisions. The first is
distinction which is seventy five percent and above, next is first division which is
sixty percent to seventy five percent, next is second division which is from fifty
percent to sixty percent and the last is third division which is forty percent to fifty

percent. Another system which is very prevalent in India is ten point GPA. It is
mainly graded by letters, like nine means an A and so on.
These can be very easily converted in GPA and CGPA according to international
methods of calculation. Similarly CGPA to percentage is also an easy method. For
converting letter grades or percentage into GPA grades the process is very easy.
The percentage is first converted to the letter grade and then it is compared to the
standardized score of international schools. Suppose, A is ninety five percent, then
according to international GPA it is a four, if B is eighty five percent then according
to international GPA it is three, similarly C is two and D is one.

Here is a conversion table from Indian scores to GPA:

Indian Percentage

Letter Grade

4 point GPA

60–100%

A

4

55–59%

B+

3.5

50–54%

B

3

43–49%

C+

2.5

35–42%

C

2

0–34%

F

0

Why GPA plays an important role?

Whenever a student applies for studying abroad, the first thing seen by an
admission officer are his grades in different subjects. This gives him an idea of who
you are as a student. It gives an idea whether you are a hardworking fellow,
whether you will make a proper use of this opportunity to study abroad and so
on. Thus, GPA creates an impact of who you are on the admission officer. It also
depicts your seriousness and commitment towards studies.
If your GPA is high you are almost automatically assumed to be smart to get hold
of newer and tougher concepts easily, this also might be an added bonus for your
future growth as your employer might also give importance to your grades. Thus,
it is always important to maintain a high GPA if you want an elevated growth in
career.

How early should you start checking your GPA?

It is very important to keep a check on your GPA and know the reason why it
might be going down. You can apply techniques and take suggestions from your
teachers to maintain a good GPA. It’s always better if you start looking after your
GPA as early as grade 10. This increases your chances as GPA is an average score.
Thus, the sooner, the better!

Originally published at cbseneet2019.co.in on July 29, 2018.