Understanding the Difference Between CGPA and SGPA

Are you applying for graduation or post-graduation, where you need clarification about CGPA and SGPA? Or what is the difference between CGPA and SGPA? Well, it’s different. Both the terms are used for academic grading and ranking of the grades. The CGPA and SGPA are used to measure your per-semester grades/marks however, CGPA grades calculate your overall/total academic grades of graduation or post-graduation. CGPA and SGPA help to provide homogenous marks. This grading system is used universally by most universities. However, there are some specific differences between CGPA and SGPA.

In this blog, we are going to explain to you the differences between CGPA and SGPA in layman’s terms. We are going to cover

• What is SGPA

• How to Calculate SGPA

• What is CGPA

• How to Calculate CGPA

• Differences between SGPA and SGPA

If you’ve ever felt puzzled by the terms CGPA and SGPA, you’re not alone! Understanding the difference between SGPA and CGPA can really help you manage your studies and keep track of your progress. So, let’s dive in, understand the SGPA and CGPA differences, and see how they can help you stay on top of your educational goals in a fun and easy way.

Here are some important notes before explaining the calculations:

• Grade: Your performance label in subjects, such as A, B+, or C, shows how well you did. Example: Mathematics – A, Physics – B+, English – B, History – A-, Chemistry – B
• Grade Points: Numeric values assigned to grades, indicate the quality of your grade. Higher grades have higher points. Example: A might be worth 9 points, while B+ is worth 8 points, and so on.
• Credit: It’s like the weight of a subject, demonstrating its workload. More credits mean more effort is required. For example: Mathematics might have 4 credits, Physics 3 credits, and so on.
• Marks Obtained: Your actual score in a subject’s assessment, showing how many points you earned. Example: Mathematics – 85 out of 100, Physics – 80 out of 100, and so on.
• Total Grade Points: The sum of all the points you earned across all subjects, reflecting your overall performance. Example: Adding up all the grade points earned in each subject, like 9 for A in Mathematics, 8 for B+ in Physics, and so on.

What is SGPA?

Let’s begin with a simple breakdown of SGPA and how to measure it. SGPA stands for the Semester Grade Point Average. It’s a measure of your academic performance during a specific semester. You can think of SGPA as a snapshot that takes a picture of your overall grades for one period of time which is your semester.

For example: IF you have a 6-semester coursework you would get 6 different SGPA records per semester. These SGPA would interpret what you scored in each semester. The SGPA is then calculated by taking the weighted average of these points. This serves as one of the most significant differences between SGPA and CGPA.

Example:

Let’s imagine you’re a student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, and you’ve completed the following courses in a semester:

Example SGPA Calculation

SGPA Calculation Formula: The total Grade Points / The total Credit Points

SGPA Calculation:

• Grade Points Sum: 164

• Credit Points Sum: 21

SGPA = Grade Points Sum / Credit Points Sum = 164 / 21 = 7.81

Importance of SGPA Academically

What is CGPA?

CGPA, or Cumulative Grade Point Average, is the overall average of your SGPAs across all semesters. One initial difference between CGPA and SGPA is that CGPA does not provide per-semester grades but it reflects the overall performance of each subject throughout the coursework. For example, if you had 6 semesters, the CGPA would be calculated for all the semesters together. This difference between CGPA and SGPA is important to note. It provides a comprehensive picture of your academic performance throughout your entire course. While SGPA evaluates your performance in a single semester, CGPA compiles these individual SGPAs into one comprehensive number.

Example: Let’s keep the IIT Bombay example here too in which there are 6 semesters:

Example CGPA Calculation

SGPA to CGPA Calculator

CGPA Calculation:

• Total SGPA: 52.2
• Total Semesters: 6

CGPA = Total SGPA / Total Semesters = 52.2 / 6 = 8.7

This calculation demonstrates how to convert SGPA to CGPA using the weighted average of SGPAs across all semesters. With this method, you can easily determine your CGPA once you have the SGPA for each semester.

Importance of CGPA Academically

Key Differences Between SGPA and CGPA

To clarify the distinctions between SGPA and CGPA, here’s a handy table highlighting their key differences:

Importance of SGPA and CGPA Academically

Both SGPA and CGPA are important to understand for your academic journey. However, knowing the difference between CGPA and SGPA is more prominent to make your academic journey easier. Here are the differences between SGPA and CGPA important to assess your academic journey:

Various Grading Systems in India

Here are the various grading systems used in India across many universities. 

10-Point Grading System

4-Point Grading System

Letter Grading System

Logging Out

Understanding SGPA and CGPA is crucial for tracking your academic progress and setting realistic goals. SGPA helps you focus on your performance each semester, while CGPA provides a big-picture view of your overall achievements. Keeping an eye on both can help you identify areas for improvement and ensure you’re on the right track for your future aspirations.

For example, if you’re studying engineering at BITS Pilani, you’ll receive an SGPA at the end of each semester to reflect your performance. By the time you graduate, your CGPA will give a comprehensive overview of your academic journey. Similarly, if you’re at the University of Mumbai, your SGPA will guide you through each semester, while your CGPA will be crucial for your final degree classification.

Remember, your grades are important, but they are just one part of your educational journey. Keep learning, stay curious, and make the most of your time in school. Good luck!

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between CGPA and SGPA?

CGPA is the overall grade point average for all semesters, however, SGPA is the grade point average for a single semester.

Q2. What is 7.50 SGPA in CGPA?

To convert 7.50 SGPA to CGPA, divide by the number of semesters. The CGPA of 7.50 is 7.5 overall.

Q3. Is 7.57 A Good SGPA?

Yes, 7.57 SGPA is considered good and reflects above-average performance.