Calculation of GPA and CGPA
Quality Point
Quality Point of a course is defined as the Grade Point earned multiplied by the credits of the course.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The GPA for a trimester examination is determined by dividing the sum of all Quality Points earned by the sum of credits of all courses attempted in a trimester, excluding credits of courses which have no contributions to the GPA, i.e.
MBBS Programme
The GPA for for MBBS programme is determined by dividing the sum of all Quality Points earned by the sum of credits of all courses attempted in either First Professional Examination (Year 1), Second Professional Examination (Year 3) or Final Professional Examination (Year 5) of the MBBS programme, excluding credits of courses which have no contribution to the GPA, i.e.
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
The CGPA is determined by dividing sum of all Quality Points earned by the sum of credits attempted for all the trimesters/semesters, excluding credits of courses which have no contribution to the GPA or CGPA, i.e.
*Exclusion: The calculation of GPA and CGPA do not include the results/credit hours of the following courses which have no contribution to the GPA or CGPA:
- Courses with a grade of PS
- Courses, if not completed, with a grade of P
- Exempted courses
How to calculate quality point and GPA
Example:
}Quality Point
= 9 + 12 + 12 + 9 + 12
= 54}GPA
= 54 (Quality Point) / 15 (Total Credit Hours)
= 3.6000
On this page you’ll find information about Cumulative Grade Point Average (aka Overall CGPA) and Term Grade Point Average (aka Term GPA) – both are used in the University’s Academic Continuation Evaluation.
Both your Overall CGPA and your Term GPA are calculated by dividing the sum of the grade points earned by the total credit value of courses.
Overall CGPA >> includes all courses counting towards your degree requirements.
Term GPA >> includes all courses attempted in one term of study.
How to Calculate your CGPA and Term GPA
1. Check your audit!
3. Use the Term GPA calculator found HERE. (Note: VPN connection is required to access this page)
Did you know?
- F grades are included in the CGPA calculation(s) until they are removed through course repetition or replacement. When a course is repeated, the highest graded attempt is used – unless the recent attempt is an F grade, with a previous passing grade).
- UNS and SAT, NR and CR grades do not impact your CGPA; but the underlying letter grades are used for prerequisites, as well as select Engineering regulations.
- All credits earned through the University of Ottawa Exchange agreement are included in the CGPA calculations, but courses completed at any other university (through Letter of Permission or Exchange) are not.
- Courses listed as Excess to the Degree (ETD), No Credit for the Degree (NCD), Forfeit, and Transfer credits (TR) are not included in the calculation of your CGPA.
Engineering Policy on SAT and UNS Grades →
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In academic settings, Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) are essential indicators of a student’s performance. These metrics, used by universities worldwide, provide a standardized way to assess and compare academic achievement across courses, trimesters, and years. While GPA reflects a student’s performance in a specific term, CGPA accounts for cumulative performance over multiple terms or years, offering a holistic view of their academic journey. For students aiming to understand their academic progress or meet specific graduation requirements, understanding how to calculate GPA and CGPA accurately is crucial.
Both GPA and CGPA calculations involve a weighted approach that considers the quality points earned from each course, determined by both the grade point achieved and the credit hours assigned to that course. This guide will walk you through the basics of GPA and CGPA calculation, explain the importance of quality points, and provide practical insights for students in both general and specialized programs, such as MBBS.
What Are Quality Points?
Quality Points are the basis for calculating both GPA and CGPA. Each course a student completes is assigned a certain number of credits and a grade point. The Quality Point of a course is simply the grade point achieved multiplied by the course’s credit hours. For instance, a 3-credit course where a student earns a grade point of 4.0 results in 12 Quality Points for that course.
Calculating Quality Points helps in determining the GPA and CGPA by translating individual grades and course credits into a single, cohesive metric that reflects overall academic performance.
Example of Quality Points Calculation
Let’s say a student has completed five courses with varying credits and grade points. Here’s how to calculate the total Quality Points:
- Course 1: 3 credits, Grade Point = 3.0 → Quality Points = 3 x 3 = 9
- Course 2: 4 credits, Grade Point = 3.0 → Quality Points = 4 x 3 = 12
- Course 3: 3 credits, Grade Point = 4.0 → Quality Points = 3 x 4 = 12
- Course 4: 2 credits, Grade Point = 4.5 → Quality Points = 2 x 4.5 = 9
- Course 5: 3 credits, Grade Point = 4.0 → Quality Points = 3 x 4 = 12
Total Quality Points = 9 + 12 + 12 + 9 + 12 = 54
Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA)
The Grade Point Average (GPA) provides a snapshot of a student’s academic performance in a single term or trimester. It is calculated by dividing the total Quality Points earned by the sum of credit hours for all courses attempted in that term.
GPA Formula
GPA=Total Quality PointsTotal Credit Hours\text{GPA} = \frac{\text{Total Quality Points}}{\text{Total Credit Hours}}GPA=Total Credit HoursTotal Quality Points
Example of GPA Calculation
Using the Quality Points example above, if the total credit hours for the term are 15:GPA=5415=3.6\text{GPA} = \frac{54}{15} = 3.6GPA=1554=3.6
This means the student has a GPA of 3.6 for that term.
Special Considerations for MBBS Programs
In the MBBS program, GPA is calculated within specific professional examination years—First (Year 1), Second (Year 3), or Final (Year 5). The method remains the same, where the sum of all Quality Points is divided by the total credits, excluding courses that do not contribute to the GPA.
Calculating Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) represents a student’s performance over multiple terms, providing an overall assessment of their academic journey. To calculate CGPA, you add up all the Quality Points from all terms and divide by the total credit hours accumulated across those terms, again excluding credits of courses without GPA contribution.
CGPA Formula
CGPA=Total Quality Points Across All TermsTotal Credit Hours Across All Terms\text{CGPA} = \frac{\text{Total Quality Points Across All Terms}}{\text{Total Credit Hours Across All Terms}}CGPA=Total Credit Hours Across All TermsTotal Quality Points Across All Terms
This approach ensures that CGPA reflects both the scope and consistency of academic performance over time.
Exclusions in GPA and CGPA Calculation
Certain courses are excluded from GPA and CGPA calculations:
- Pass (PS) Grades: Courses marked as “Pass” do not impact the GPA or CGPA.
- Incomplete (P) Grades: Courses not completed with a passing grade are also excluded.
- Exempted Courses: These have no credit or grade point value and thus no impact on GPA or CGPA.
Additionally, courses completed at other universities (via exchanges or with transfer credits) may or may not be included, depending on institutional policies.
GPA and CGPA Grade Point Equivalency Table
| Percentage | 1.0 Credit | 0.5 Credit | 0.25 Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-100% | A+ = 12.0 | A+ = 6.0 | A+ = 3.0 |
| 85-89% | A = 11.0 | A = 5.5 | A = 2.75 |
| 80-84% | A- = 10.0 | A- = 5.0 | A- = 2.5 |
| 77-79% | B+ = 9.0 | B+ = 4.5 | B+ = 2.25 |
| 73-76% | B = 8.0 | B = 4.0 | B = 2.0 |
| 70-72% | B- = 7.0 | B- = 3.5 | B- = 1.75 |
This table helps students understand how their percentage scores translate into grade points based on credit hours.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How often should I calculate my GPA and CGPA?
- It’s helpful to calculate your GPA at the end of each term and CGPA after each academic year to track cumulative progress.
- What happens to failed courses in CGPA calculation?
- Failed courses are included in CGPA until replaced by a higher grade. The highest grade is counted unless the most recent attempt is an “F.”
- Can courses taken at other universities affect my CGPA?
- Only courses taken through specific exchange agreements are typically counted in CGPA; transfer courses often do not contribute.
- How does course weight affect GPA and CGPA?
- Higher-credit courses have more impact on GPA and CGPA, as quality points are credit-weighted.
- Why are some courses excluded from GPA and CGPA?
- Courses with Pass (PS) or Incomplete (P) grades do not contribute to GPA or CGPA, ensuring that only credit-weighted, graded courses impact the calculation.
Conclusion
Understanding how to calculate GPA and CGPA allows students to monitor their academic progress and work toward their academic goals. By knowing the weight and impact of each course and grade, students can make informed decisions regarding course loads and performance. Regularly calculating these metrics can provide valuable insights and help maintain or improve academic standing.