Understanding the Difference Between CGPA and SGPA

If you are applying for a post-graduation or graduation, you may find yourself scratching your head over the SGPA and CGPA difference. Both terms are used for academic grading and ranking of students, but are not same. While SGPA gives you a snapshot of your performance in a single semester whereas, CGPA shows your overall academic performance. You can say that SGPA is one chapter in a book and CGPA is the complete summary. CGPA and SGPA help to provide homogeneous marks. This grading system is used universally by most universities; thus, it is important to understand the SGPA and CGPA difference.

In this blog, we have explained the difference between SGPA and CGPA in easy terms. We are going to cover the following:

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  What is SGPA?
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  How to Calculate SGPA?
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  What is CGPA?
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  How to Calculate CGPA?
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  Is SGPA and CGPA same?

If you have ever felt confused by the terms CGPA and SGPA, you are not alone. Understanding the difference between SGPA and CGPA can help you effectively manage your studies and track 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.

Key Differences Between SGPA and CGPA

They might look the same to you, but there are quite some differences between SGPA and CGPA. From scope, purpose and frequency to formula, everything is different. While the SGPA is used for internal assessment purposes, the CGPA is crucial for university admissions. To further clarify the SGPA and CGPA difference, here’s a detailed table highlighting their key differences:

Key Terms You Should Know

Here are some important terms you must know 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 full form is Semester Grade Point Average. It captures how well you performed in that 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.SGPA is not just a simple average, it’s a weighted average, meaning your marks in subjects with high credit points have more value. So score well in a subject with five credits and that would affect your overall SGPA.

For example, if you have six semesters of coursework, you would get six different SGPA records per semester. The 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 a significant difference 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: 137

• Credit Points Sum: 16

SGPA = Grade Points Sum / Credit Points Sum = 137 / 16 = 8.56

Importance of SGPA Academically

Here’s a quick look at the importance of SGPA:

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  Provides a quick and easy way to assess short-term performance.
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  Analyses strengths and weaknesses.
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  A good SGPA is a great source of motivation.
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  Useful for financial aid and scholarship applications before the final scores.
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  Key for university applications.

Related: How to calculate percentage from SGPA?

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:

CGPA = Total SGPA / Total Semesters

• Total SGPA: 50.8
• Total Semesters: 6

CGPA = Total SGPA / Total Semesters = 50.8 / 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.

Must Read: How to convert SGPA to CGPA

Importance of CGPA Academically

A CGPA is important for several reasons, including:

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  Demonstrating academic success and enhances eligibility for higher studies.
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  Many universities only consider CGPA for admission.
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  A great source of personal motivation and self-esteem.
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  Many scholarships require a CGPA, especially for international students.

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 crucial to make your academic journey easier. Here are the differences between SGPA and CGPA that are 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

Which is More Important, SGPA or CGPA?

As we have reached the end of this article, which one do you think is more important, SGPA or CGPA?

Since SGPA and CGPA are different, they both play different roles and are important in or the other way. SGPA measures your single semester performance so you get an idea where you need to improve and how you can maintain a good score in the next sem to maintain a good overall grade. On the other hand, many universities ask for your CGPA when evaluating profiles for admission. And sometimes, when the final result is not out, you are asked to show your SGPA. Therefore, you cannot say that CGPA is more important than SGPA.

Logging Out

Understanding the SGPA and CGPA difference 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 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 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. 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!