Introduction
Whether it’s applying for a new school or checking your eligibility for an international university, knowing the correct grading system is of utmost importance. Otherwise, you won’t gain clarity on whether you have enough academic capability to pursue your dream education further or not. The two most commonly used grading systems used across numerous universities, colleges, and other forms of institutions are Percentage and CGPA. Both are calculated differently and represent varied levels of excellence.
That’s why you should know how to calculate CGPA from percentage to understand your eligibility. It will help you improve your scores accordingly so that you can apply at your dream institution without any friction.
What is CGPA?
Standing for Cumulative Grading Point Average, it represents a student’s overall academic performance. Here, the score is given out of 10, averaging the scores obtained on all the subjects throughout the session. Since most courses are now divided into multiple semesters, the average is usually done based on the number of sessions.
Take a score of 8 GPA in 4 semesters as an example. Then, your CGPA will be ((8*4)/4), which is equivalent to 8. Unlike percentage grading, this provides an overall score of your academic performance. Owing to this, it is considered a standardised system of grading globally.
What is the percentage in academics?
This, on the other hand, is a traditional grading system where each subject is evaluated as a part of CENT or 100. Entrance exams, board report cards, and high school exams often rely on this method of presenting the student’s score. Although it offers a straightforward way to assess an individual’s academic excellence, several universities and colleges prefer to use CGPA. That’s why you should know how to calculate CGPA from percentage to have the best shot at your dream institution.
Suppose you score 450 out of 500, for example. So, your overall grade will be equivalent to 90%.
Why is the conversion between CGPA and percentage important?
When you are asked to convert a percentage to CGPA, you often raise questions about its significance. It’s expected because what’s the use of this transformation when both are valid grading systems? So, to help you gain clarity, we have presented a few scenarios below.
- Your high school report card has a CGPA, but the university to which you are applying only accepts percentages.
- Your employer has requested you to submit your grade in equivalence with a percentage for a standard evaluation system.
- The funding bodies or scholarship programs have included academic score in CGPA format in their eligibility criteria.
Since the grading system is varied across different academic bodies, you cannot rely only on a single format. A CGPA of 9 doesn’t translate to 90% and vice versa. That’s why you should know how to calculate CGPA from a percentage.
Common methods to convert a percentage to CGPA
The exact way to convert a percentage to CGPA and vice versa will depend on the specific university or any other academic body. However, the most common method is to divide the score represented in percentage by 9.5 to get the equivalent CGPA. The division scale might vary with institutions, which is why you should always check the specific guidelines before proceeding.
How to convert CGPA to a percentage?
Below we have discussed the most common method that is used globally to convert percentage to CGPA and vice versa. Here, the percentage score will be divided by 9.5. 77.9% when divided by this coefficient will translate to a CGPA of 8.2. If the division factor is 10, then your CGPA will be 7.8. So, check the academic guideline properly to ensure your calculation is precise and has no room for errors.
Tips for accurate conversion
- You should check the specific grading system of your university or high school before proceeding with any conversion.
- Check the exact multiplier or calculation rule in the academic handbook. It will help you ensure higher accuracy and eliminate all room for error.
- If you want any help, choose a reliable and trustworthy online calculator. This will minimise discrepancies, especially in the decimal values.
Conclusion
Knowing how to calculate CGPA from a percentage will prove to be greatly beneficial in the long run. You can plan your academics accordingly and ensure that you maintain the score at the desired level. This way, you won’t have to worry about rejection from universities or other areas while applying for further studies or internships. If you have any concerns, get in touch with your counsellor to know more about these grading systems.
FAQs
What is the difference between CGPA and percentage?
Sometimes, the score obtained is expressed as a part of CENT or 100. On the other hand, it can be expressed as an average also, where you will have to divide the total GPA by the number of semesters.
Can CGPA be converted back to a percentage?
Yes, it can be converted! All you have to do is multiply the CGPA score by 9.5 to get the raw value in percentage.
Are online calculators reliable for CGPA and percentage conversion?
Some online tools will help you convert one grading system to another accurately.
Why do grading scales differ across institutions?
Different academic bodies have rules in terms of the grading system for evaluating individuals’ excellence.
How do I convert the percentage to CGPA?
All you have to do is divide the percentage score by 9.5 or any other specific divisor stated by the university to get the equivalent CGPA.