CGPA vs GPA: Understanding the difference and what it means for your academic journey

26 April 2025

Academic performance is typically measured by two key metrics: your Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Your GPA reflects the average of your grades for a single semester. At the same time, your CGPA provides a broader picture, calculating the average of your GPAs across multiple semesters to track your overall academic progress.

For university students in Malaysia, it's important to understand the distinction between GPA and CGPA, as both play a significant role in shaping academic development and future opportunities. This guide will help you grasp the differences between GPA and CGPA and explain their importance in your educational journey.

What is GPA (grade point average)?

GPA (Grade Point Average) represents a student's average grade for a specific semester or term. It reflects how well a student has performed in the courses taken during that period.

To calculate their GPA, students divide the total grade points earned by the total number of credit hours they attempted during the semester. In Malaysia, the grading system uses a 4.0 scale: an "A" corresponds to 4.0, a "B" to 3.0, and the scale continues downward through "C" and below. This grading system provides a straightforward way to measure academic performance, with higher grades equating to more grade points.

Why GPA matters

GPA offers a snapshot of a student's academic performance for a specific term. It plays an important role in academic evaluations in Malaysia, including scholarship assessments, eligibility, and program admissions. Many competitive programmes require applicants to meet a minimum GPA, and it is often a key factor in determining whether students remain enrolled or graduate on schedule.

A high GPA is crucial for gaining admission into competitive programmes and securing internships or other academic opportunities. In the long term, a strong GPA can also enhance a student’s prospects during the job search, particularly in competitive fields and academic-related roles.

What is CGPA (cumulative grade point average)?

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the average of a student’s GPAs over multiple semesters, representing their overall academic performance throughout their degree program. Unlike GPA, which reflects short-term performance, CGPA provides a long-term assessment of academic success, showing how consistently a student has performed across all their courses and semesters.

A high GPA is necessary for admission into competitive programmes and for securing internships and academic opportunities. When combined with a strong CGPA, high GPA points help students stand out during their job search, especially in competitive environments and selective academic-related roles.

Importance of CGPA

CGPA offers a more comprehensive representation of a student's academic performance, as it considers grades from several semesters. It holds significant importance in university graduation, as Malaysian universities use CGPA to determine whether students qualify for their degrees. The minimum CGPA requirement for graduation is typically 2.00 or above.

CGPA also plays a crucial role in graduate school admissions and job opportunities. A high CGPA can be a deciding factor for entry into graduate programs and competitive employment. For future employers, a strong academic record demonstrates the candidate's commitment to their studies from the start to the end of their degree.

CGPA vs GPA: Key differences

Duration of measurement

The GPA system offers an immediate snapshot of academic performance, as it assesses a student's performance in a single semester. It provides limited, short-term insight into students' performance in their current courses.

In contrast, CGPA comprehensively assesses academic performance by evaluating all semesters across an educational program. The cumulative calculation of CGPA provides a clearer picture of a student’s academic persistence throughout their degree, reflecting both short-term consistency and long-term academic success.

Calculation method

The GPA for each semester is calculated by dividing earned grade points by attempted credits. This method evaluates a student’s performance over a specific period.

CGPA is determined by averaging the GPA scores obtained from different semesters. This provides a more complete overview of a student's academic development, combining multiple GPA scores to offer a broader view of their progress throughout their degree.

Impact on career and education

CGPA holds a more significant long-term impact as it is used to determine eligibility for graduation. In Malaysian universities, the minimum CGPA required for graduation typically ranges from 2.00 to 2.50, and it serves as a key criterion for determining whether a student qualifies for their degree. Students must achieve high academic averages to be accepted into top graduate programs.

For job seekers, both GPA and CGPA are important, though employers in Malaysia typically place more weight on CGPA. The academic average (CGPA) is particularly important in engineering, medicine, and business, where employers often consider it at higher levels. Additionally, universities use CGPA as an admission requirement for postgraduate studies, with most institutions expecting a minimum CGPA of 2.80 to 3.00 for entry.

How to calculate GPA and CGPA

How to Calculate Your GPA

Your GPA (Grade Point Average) reflects your academic performance for a semester. Here's how to calculate it:

• Assign Numerical Values to Letter GradesEach letter grade is assigned a specific numerical value on a 4.0 scale. The common grading scale used in Malaysian universities is as follows:
• A = 4.0
• A- = 3.7
• B+ = 3.3
• B = 3.0
• B- = 2.7
• C+ = 2.3
• C = 2.0
• C- = 1.7
• D+ = 1.3
• D = 1.0
• F = 0.0

• The higher the grade, the higher the grade point associated with it.
• Multiply the Grade Points by Credit HoursEach course has a set number of credit hours, which indicates the course’s weight or importance. To calculate the grade points for each course, multiply the grade point you earned by the number of credit hours for that course. For example, if you get an "A" (4.0) in a 3-credit hour course, the grade points for that course would be:

4.0 × 3 = 12 grade points.

• Add Up the Total Grade PointsOnce you've calculated the grade points for all your courses, add them together to get the total grade points for the semester.
• Divide by the Total Credits AttemptedNext, add up the total number of credit hours for all the courses you attempted that semester. Then, divide the total grade points by the total credit hours to calculate your GPA for that semester.

Formula:
GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Credits Attempted Example:

• If you earned 12 grade points from a 3-credit hour course and 9 grade points from a 2-credit hour course, your total grade points would be:
  12 + 9 = 21 grade points
• If you took 5 credit hours in total, your GPA for the semester would be: 21 grade points ÷ 5 credits = 4.2 GPA (Note: This is just an example; a 4.2 GPA would be unusually high on the 4.0 scale.)

How to calculate your CGPA

Your CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) reflects your academic performance over all the semesters of your degree program, providing a long-term overview of your progress.

Sum Up All the Grade Points Earned Across Semesters

Add the total grade points you earned in each course across all semesters. For example, if you earned 12 grade points in Semester 1, 15 in Semester 2, and 10 in Semester 3, the total grade points would be:

12 + 15 + 10 = 37 total grade points.

Add Up the Total Number of Credit Hours for All Semesters

Next, calculate the total number of credit hours you have attempted across all semesters. For example, if in Semester 1 you took 15 credit hours, in Semester 2 you took 18, and in Semester 3 you took 12, the total number of credit hours would be:

15 + 18 + 12 = 45 total credit hours.

Divide the Total Grade Points by the Total Number of Credit Hours

To find your CGPA, divide the total grade points earned by the total credit hours attempted.

Formula:

CGPA = Total Grade Points (from all semesters) / Total Credit Hours (from all semesters)

Using the example above:

CGPA = 37 total grade points / 45 total credit hours = 2.89 CGPA

The CGPA gives a comprehensive view of your academic performance, considering your grades over your entire educational career.

Which is more important: GPA or CGPA?

When is GPA more important?

GPA plays a crucial role in short-term academic success and is particularly important for the following:

1. Qualifying for Certain Courses: Many programmes have specific enrolment prerequisites, including minimum GPA standards. Maintaining high grades is essential to gaining entry to advanced courses within your program.
2. Scholarships and Internships: Scholarship and internship eligibility often require students to maintain a certain GPA in a given semester. Most Malaysian universities and external organisations require candidates to keep at least a GPA of 3.0 to qualify for scholarship programmes. Competitive internships frequently consider GPA a key factor in the applicant assessment process.
3. Indicating Strong Academic Performance in a Specific Semester: Your semester performance is reflected in your GPA. Earning high grades during a semester demonstrates your strong academic achievement and ability to manage your workload effectively. This is important for future applications and self-evaluation.

When is CGPA more important?

While GPA is important for short-term success, CGPA plays a more significant role in long-term academic achievements and future opportunities. CGPA becomes critical in the following situations:

1. Graduation RequirementsIn Malaysia, universities typically set a minimum CGPA requirement for students to be eligible for graduation. For example:

• Monash University Malaysia: The minimum CGPA required for graduation is 2.00.
• University of Malaya (UM): The minimum CGPA required for graduation is generally 2.00 for undergraduate programs.
• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM): Students must maintain a CGPA of 2.00 or higher to graduate.

These requirements may vary depending on the program, and students who fail to meet the CGPA standard may not be allowed to graduate.

1. Graduate School ApplicationsCGPA is a key factor in the selection process for Malaysian students applying to graduate programs. A minimum CGPA of 2.80 to 3.00 is typically required for admission to most graduate programs. More competitive programs may require a CGPA of 3.50 or higher.
2. Job OpportunitiesEmployers in Malaysia often evaluate CGPA when reviewing applications, particularly for fresh graduates. A high CGPA can demonstrate to potential employers that you are a dedicated and consistent student. For example:

• Multinational Companies: Many large firms, such as Google, Shell, or IBM, may look for graduates with a CGPA of 3.00 or above during their initial recruitment process.
• Local Industries: While smaller firms may still consider CGPA, other factors such as work experience, skills, and personal qualities may carry more weight if the CGPA is slightly lower.

Although CGPA is not the only factor in hiring decisions, a strong CGPA can make you a more competitive candidate, particularly in fields like engineering, medicine, finance, and IT.

Conclusion – CGPA vs GPA: Which metric should you focus on?

GPA and CGPA are important, each serving a specific purpose in your academic journey.

GPA provides a snapshot of your performance in a single semester, while CGPA tracks your consistent achievements and overall academic performance throughout your degree. These metrics hold different significance at various stages of your educational journey, so understanding their priorities will help you manage your university experience effectively.

At Monash University Malaysia, students must maintain a strong GPA performance in each term, alongside an excellent cumulative GPA (CGPA), to meet academic requirements. This is essential for graduation, graduate school admissions, and job prospects. By focusing on both goals, you will be better equipped to handle academic challenges and prepare for future career success.

References

• Standards for Undergraduate Program by Malaysian Qualifications Agency (2025 edition)
• University Grading System in Malaysia: GPA, CGPA and What They Mean
• Grading System in Malaysia

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