The term Cumulative Grade Point Average, or CGPA, describes a student's total academic achievement over a specific time frame, typically a semester or academic year. This is done in such a manner that all mark points are averaged, with each course being given its respective credit value in terms of weight.
A certain amount, known as the conversion factor, must be multiplied by the CGPA to convert it to a percentage. This factor depends on the educational institution and its grading system. The conversion factor is typically 9.5 for a 10-point CGPA scale and 5 for a 4-point scale. The following describes how to convert CGPA to % using the 9.5 conversion factor:
For instance, if a student's CGPA is 7.5 on a scale of 10, the percentage equivalent is: 7.5 x 9.5 = 71.25%
As a result, the student's CGPA equals 80.75% in percentage.




| Feature | Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) |
Grade Point Average (GPA) |
| Definition | The average of all grade points obtained across several semesters or academic years. |
The average of grade points obtained in a single semester or academic term. |
| Scope | Provides an overall evaluation of academic performance over a longer period of time. | focuses on assessing performance during a single semester or term. |
| Calculation | It is calculated by averaging grade points obtained in all semesters, weighted by credit value. | Averaging grade points obtained in classes during a semester, weighted by credit value if appropriate. |
| Significance | CGPA is an important measure of academic success, essential for meeting graduation requirements and getting accepted into higher education programmes. | It gives a glimpse of academic achievements during one semester, which is useful for assessing qualification for scholarships or evaluating progress within a specific period. |
| Standardisation | Calculations may vary slightly between institutions based on grade systems and policies. | Calculation is more standardised within institutions, following specific grading scales or systems. |
1. What is the full form of CGPA?
Answer: The full form of CGPA is Cumulative Grade Point Average.
2. What is the conversion factor used to convert CGPA into a percentage?
Answer: The conversion factor for turning CGPA into a percentage varies by institution. Commonly, a factor of 9.5 is used on a 10-point scale to convert CGPA to a percentage.
3. Which is considered a more comprehensive measure of academic success, CGPA or GPA?
Answer: GPA is considered a more comprehensive measure of academic success than CGPA because GPA provides an immediate progress assessment for a specific semester or term, whereas CGPA provides a comprehensive assessment by evaluating a student's performance across all semesters of their bachelor’s degree.
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