GPA (grade point average) summarises one semester. CGPA (cumulative GPA) summarises all your semesters so far. Both are weighted by credit hours, so a 4-credit course counts more than a 2-credit course.
The GPA formula
GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours, where quality points for a course = grade points × credit hours.
A common 4.0 scale
| Grade | Grade points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A− | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
| B− | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.00 |
| D | 1.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
Universities differ. Some do not use plus and minus grades, and some give different points to the same letter. Always use the grading table printed by your own university or HEC-recognised institution.
Worked example: one semester
| Course | Credits | Grade | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting | 3 | A (4.00) | 12.00 |
| Statistics | 4 | B+ (3.33) | 13.32 |
| Marketing | 3 | B (3.00) | 9.00 |
| English | 2 | A− (3.67) | 7.34 |
| Total | 12 | 41.66 |
GPA = 41.66 ÷ 12 = 3.47.
Calculating CGPA
Add up the quality points and credit hours of every semester, then divide. Example: after 60 credit hours you had a CGPA of 3.20, and this semester you earn a GPA of 3.35 over 15 credit hours.
CGPA = (3.20 × 60 + 3.35 × 15) ÷ (60 + 15) = 242.25 ÷ 75 = 3.23.
Notice that the average of 3.20 and 3.35 would be 3.275, which is wrong. Credit hours matter.
Retaken courses
Many universities replace the old grade with the new one when you repeat a course, but rules vary. Check your academic handbook.
Plan your target
To reach a target CGPA, work out the quality points you need: required total = target × total credits, minus the points you already have. Divide that by next semester’s credit hours to see the GPA you must earn.
The free GPA Calculator does these sums for you and keeps your data in your browser.