Difference between SGPA and CGPA

CGPA and SGPA are the two most famous grading systems in higher education system. Students sometimes get confused between these two terms Though both of them are Grade Point Averages, the difference is of the scope. They serve different purposes and calculated with different formulae. Let’s try to differentiate between SGPA and CGPA one by one.

What is SGPA?

SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) assesses the performance of students in an easier way. Every grade obtained in a one semester is assigned certain grade points. The weightage of the grade points is determined by the number of credits assigned to that subject. To Calculate SGPA, the average of these grade points is evaluated.

Formula to Calculate SGPA:

SGPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credit Hours) for all subjects in a semester / ∑Credit Hours in that semester

According to this formula, if a student has 5 subjects in a semester, most likely he will get the different grades and credit hours in all the subjects. The SGPA will be calculated by taking the average of all these grade points, as shown above.

What is CGPA?

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the total average of all the SGPAs earned so far by a student. It helps to assess the student performance in multiple semesters and even the whole degree, with just one metric.

Formula to Calculate CGPA:

CGPA = ∑(SGPA×Credit Hours) for all semesters / ∑Credit Hours for all semesters

Detailed Comparison Between CGPA and SGPA

While the above definitions just tell us about the terms, here is a chart that explains the detailed difference between SGPA and CGPA.

Criteria	CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average)	SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average)
Definition	Measures overall academic performance across all completed semesters.	Measures academic performance in a single semester.
Calculation Scope	Includes all subjects across all semesters in the program.	Includes only the subjects in a specific semester.
Time Frame	Calculated at the end of the academic program or after multiple semesters.	Calculated at the end of each semester.
Formula	CGPA = ∑(SGPA×Credit Hours) / ∑Credit Hours	SGPA = ∑(Grade Points×Credit Hours) / ∑Credit Hours
Purpose	Provides a comprehensive assessment of a student’s academic journey.	Shows a student’s performance during a specific semester.
Use Case	Used for overall academic assessment, graduation, and employment purposes.	Used for semester-specific evaluations, academic standing, and prerequisites.
Significance	Represents cumulative academic success or challenges.	Highlights short-term academic performance and trends.
Frequency of Calculation	Typically calculated once or twice during the academic program.	Calculated at the end of every semester.
Impact on Academic Career	More significant in determining final outcomes such as honours, degrees, and job eligibility.	Can influence academic probation, merit-based scholarships, and semester-specific decisions.
Conversion to Percentage	CGPA is often converted to a percentage to align with other grading systems.	SGPA is also converted to a percentage, but its significance is limited to a single semester.

Frequently Asked Question

Yes, both SGPA and CGPA can play a significant role in scholarship and internship opportunities. While CGPA often carries more weight, a strong SGPA in recent semesters can increase the chances of getting selected.

To improve your SGPA, focus on understanding the credit weightage of each subject and prioritize high-credit courses

Yes, CGPA is recalculated at the end of each semester. It updates to reflect the cumulative performance across all completed semesters, including the most recent SGPA.

Universities and employers typically prefer CGPA because it provides a comprehensive view of a student’s academic performance over the entire course of their studies

While there’s no direct conversion formula from CGPA to SGPA, you can analyze your semester-specific SGPA by recalculating the SGPA for that semester using the original grades and credits.

Final Words

CGPA and SGPA are equally important for calculating a student’s performance over a considered time period. SGPA is calculated for each semester, while CGPA keeps the track record of all the completed semester. Therefore, both these terms must not be confused with each other. They are easy to convert in other grading systems as well, using the right formula. You can convert SGPA to percentage using the accurate tools. Learning about the these terms and the conversion process from one to another can make you set the right academic goals and keep the track of your performance in with other perspectives as well.