In the world of education, different grading systems are used to assess student performance. Especially in higher education, you often hear two terms SGPA and CGPA. Many students don’t understand the difference between the two and become confused about the difference between SGPA and CGPA.
If you’re wondering the same thing, then this article is for you. Here, we’ll explain in detail:
- SGPA full form and its meaning
- What is CGPA?
- The calculation process for both.
- How does the SGPA to CGPA calculator work?
- And the practical importance of both grading systems.
What is the full form of SGPA?
SGPA full form is Semester Grade Point Average.
As the name suggests, it reflects your academic performance during a particular semester.
In simple words: SGPA = Average Grade Point of a semester.
- If you have 7 subjects in a semester, the SGPA is calculated by adding the grade points and credits of each subject.
- SGPA is used to analyze students’ performance semester-wise.
What is the full form of CGPA?
CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average.
It shows the average performance of all semesters during your entire course or program (e.g. B.Tech, B.Sc, MBA).
In simple words: CGPA = combined grade point average of all semesters.
- So when you complete your degree, your final CGPA is written on your marksheet.
SGPA vs CGPA: Key Differences
So far, you’ve seen the definitions of SGPA and CGPA. Now, let’s understand the difference between them with a comparison table:
| Parameters | SGPA (Semester GPA) | CGPA (Cumulative GPA) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Semester Grade Point Average | Cumulative Grade Point Average |
| Duration | One semester only | Entire course/all semesters |
| Calculation Basis | Subjects and credits for that semester | SGPA and credits for all semesters |
| Importance | Semester performance | Overall performance |
| Use Case | Semester-wise improvement check | Jobs, Higher studies, final result |
How to Calculate SGPA?
The formula to calculate SGPA is:
SGPA = Σ (Credit × Grade Point) / Total Credits in Semester
Example:
Suppose you have 3 subjects in your 1st semester:
- Subject A: Grade Point = 9, Credits = 3 → 27
- Subject B: Grade Point = 8, Credits = 4 → 32
- Subject C: Grade Point = 7, Credits = 3 → 21
Total Grade Points = 80
Total Credits = 10
So, SGPA = 80 ÷ 10 = 8.0
How to Calculate CGPA?
The formula for calculating CGPA is slightly different. It includes the SGPA and credits of all semesters.
CGPA = Σ (SGPA × Semester Credits) / Total Credits in Semester
Example:
Let’s say you have 3 semesters:
- Semester 1: SGPA = 8.0, Credits = 20 → 160
- Semester 2: SGPA = 7.5, Credits = 22 → 165
- Semester 3: SGPA = 8.5, Credits = 18 → 153
Total = 478 ÷ 60 = CGPA = 7.96
SGPA to CGPA Conversion
Many students ask: How to calculate CGPA from SGPA?
The simple way is to take the weighted average of SGPA of all the semesters.
Manual method:
- Multiply each semester’s SGPA by its credits.
- Find the total.
- Divide by the total credits.
SGPA to CGPA Calculator
If you do not want to do the calculation manually, then you can use online SGPA to CGPA calculator.
- Enter your SGPA and credits for each semester into the calculator.
- Your CGPA will be displayed in one click.
This method is very easy and fast for students.
SGPA and CGPA to Percentage Conversion
University or job applications often require percentages, and this is where the conversion formula comes in handy.
Formula 1: SGPA to Percentage
Percentage = CGPA × 9.5
Formula 2: SGPA to Percentage
Percentage = SGPA × 9.5
Example:
If your CGPA = 8.2 → Percentage = 8.2 × 9.5 = 77.9%
If your SGPA = 7.5 → Percentage = 7.5 × 9.5 = 71.25%
Note that this is a conversion from the CBSE and UGC systems. Some universities may use a different factor (such as 9.25 or 10).
SGPA vs CGPA: Which is more important?
- If you want to check your semester performance and see how you performed in a term, look at your SGPA.
- If you want to show your overall academic performance to an employer or higher studies institute, your CGPA is important.
Tips for Students
- Give equal importance to each semester so that your SGPA remains consistently high.
- A strong SGPA will automatically improve your CGPA.
- Use online SGPA to CGPA calculators, but also learn manual calculations.
- Always check your university’s official factors when converting to percentages.
Conclusion
In short, SGPA full form (Semester Grade Point Average) represents the average performance of a semester, whereas CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) represents the combined average of all the semesters. That is, SGPA is useful for your short-term performance and CGPA for your overall academic performance. Both systems are equally important for students and play a vital role while selecting for higher studies or job. If the calculation seems complicated, you can easily use SGPA to CGPA calculator, but always check your university’s official guidelines and conversion rules.