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A Guide to calculating CGPA to percentage to study abroad

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  • read time3 min Read
  • By:CANAM Group
  • Updated On:Apr 25,2025 05:36 PM IST

  • One of the most common methods to convert CGPA to a percentage is the 10-point grading scale, multiplying the CGPA by 9.5.
  • Students who haven’t received their final mark sheets can also convert their previous semesters’ SGPA to a percentage and meet the academic requirement.
  • Read this blog to learn how to convert CGPA and SGPA to a percentage. 

A Guide to calculating CGPA to percentage to study abroad.webp


Assessing one’s academic performance is essential for determining the future course of action. One of the primary reasons to measure this performance is to identify and acknowledge a student's skills, which further helps in scrutinizing career options or subjects that fit their potential.

Different colleges and universities in India use different methods to measure a student’s academic performance, but percentage-based and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) grading systems are the two most popular methods used.

While Indian institutes accept both grading methods, universities and colleges abroad focus mainly on percentages to evaluate the performance of international students worldwide. And if you plan to apply for education abroad, this writing will surely provide important insights on CGPA and how to convert CGPA to a percentage.

What is CGPA?

CGPA or Cumulative Grade Point Average is a measure used by Indian institutions to determine the academic performance of students for a particular course. It is an average of the grades obtained by students in all the subjects. This method is mainly used in Indian universities.

A CGPA is made up of the following components: 

1. Grade Points: Every subject is graded (A, B, C, D) based on the performance of students.

2. Credit Hours: Every subject has a particular credit score, which defines its weightage in the course. The higher the credit hours, the more important the subject is.

The most common formula to calculate CGPA is: Grade Points x Credit Hours / Total Credit Hours

Let’s calculate CGPA using a hypothetical example as follows: 

SubjectGradeGrade PointsCredit Hours
HindiA4.02
EnglishB3.03
MathC2.04
ScienceA4.02

To calculate CGPA, we will first find the total grade points for each subject

  • Hindi: 4.0*2 = 8

  • English: 3.0*3 =9 

  • Math: 2.0*4 = 8

  • Science: 4.0*2 =8 
Sum of these values: 8+9+8+8 = 33

Sum of credit hours: 2+3+4+2 = 11

Now we will divide total grade points by total credit hours: 33/11 = 3

So the student’s CGPA is 3.

How to Calculate CGPA from Grade Points?

Now, you know how to calculate CGPA from grade points. Here is another method which is also used by many Indian institutions to calculate CGPA. This method is even simpler than the previous one. In this, you just have to calculate the total grade points of all subjects and divide them by the total number of subjects. This method is used in Indian schools. See example below:

SubjectGrade Point
Subject A7
Subject B9
Subject C8
Subject D7
Subject E9
Total40


The first step is to add the grade points earned in every subject, which in the example above is 7+9+8+7+9=40.

The next step is to divide the cumulative value by the number of subjects which is: 40/5 = 8.

So, the student’s CGPA is 8.

What is Percentage?

Another term often talked about when the topic of CGPA comes up is percentage. A percentage is nothing but a number expressed as a fraction of 100. It shows the marks a student has obtained compared to the total marks for the subject. It helps to determine students' performance on a scale of 0 to 100%. If you are planning to study abroad, you should know how to convert CGPA to a percentage, as it is a requirement by most foreign universities.

Difference Between CGPA and Percentage?

A CGPA tells a student’s performance using grade points and ranges from 4 to 10. On the other hand, the percentage tells the marks of a student out of the total marks of 100. Even though both are indicators of a student’s academic performance, they vary in calculation and interpretation. Here are some key differences between the two:

FeatureCGPAPercentage
DefinitionIt is the average of grade points in all subjectsIt expresses the marks in terms of 100
Scale used4 to 10 point scale100 point scale
Common inIndian universitiesIndian schools and foreign universities

Conversion Table for CGPA to Percentage

The method to convert CGPA to a percentage is simple. You just have to multiply the CGPA by 9.5. Percentage = CGPA x 9.5. In the following table, you can see the calculated percentages for different CGPAs:

CGPA

Equivalent Percentage (%)

CGPA

Equivalent Percentage (%)

10

95

7

66.5

9.9

94.05

6.9

65.55

9.8

93.1

6.8

64.6

9.7

92.15

6.7

63.65

9.6

91.2

6.6

62.7

9.5

90.25

6.5

61.75

9.4

89.3

6.4

60.8

9.3

88.35

6.3

59.85

9.2

87.4

6.2

58.9

9.1

86.45

6.1

57.95

9

85.5

6

57

8.9

84.55

5.9

56.05

8.8

83.6

5.8

55.1

8.7

82.65

5.7

54.15

8.6

81.7

5.6

53.2

8.5

80.75

5.5

52.25

8.4

79.8

5.4

51.3

8.3

78.85

5.3

50.35

8.2

77.9

5.2

49.4

8.1

76.95

5.1

48.45

8

76

5

47.5

7.9

75.05

4.9

46.55

7.8

74.1

4.8

45.6

7.7

73.15

4.7

44.65

7.6

72.2

4.6

43.7

7.5

71.25

4.5

42.75

7.4

70.3

4.4

41.8

7.3

69.35

4.3

40.85

7.2

68.4

4.2

39.9

7.1

67.45

4.1

38.95

-

-

4

38

CGPA to Percentage Calculator

A CGPA to percentage calculator is a tool that helps you convert CGPA into a percentage easily. There are many websites on the internet which provide this tool. Here are the benefits of using a CGPA to percentage calculator:

1. The tool facilitates easy comparison of scores of students from different countries, which eases the work of admission authorities of foreign universities.

2. Many foreign universities have a fixed percentage to provide scholarships. Having this tool will allow students to secure the eligible scholarships.

CGPA Grading System

The Grade Points scale is an indicator of student’s performance in a particular subject. One can convert CGPA to a percentage by multiplying it by 9.5.

Grade

Grade Point

Percentage (Grade Point*9.5)

A1

10

91-100

A2

9

81-90

B1

8

71-80

B2

7

61-70

C1

6

51-60

C2

5

41-50

D

4

33-40

E1

-

21-32

E2

-

00-20

What is GPA (Grade Point Average)?

Often students confuse GPA as a synonym for Grade point, which is wrong. While CGPA evaluates the performance of students in the entire course duration, GPA measures a student’s performance in one semester or a single unit. Also, GPA is a 4-point grading system accepted by US universities, but CGPA is a 10-point system recognized in other parts of the world. 

Grade Point

A

4

B

3

C

2

D

1

E

0

What is considered a good CGPA score for studying abroad?

A good CGPA score depends on the type of country and institutes a student chooses to apply for. However, a score of 3.0, which is equivalent to grade B, is considered a good score in majority countries.

Can a student with a low CGPA apply for study abroad?

Although a high CGPA score is considered an essential factor for admission to any academic institute abroad, it is not the only aspect. Students with low CGPA can still manage to get admission in some selected institutes if they highlight other achievements in their profile, such as extra-curricular activities, job experience, well-written SOP, etc.

Canadian universities that accept International Students with Low GPA

Here are some popular academic institutes of Canada that accept low GPA scores:

Canada

GPA

Memorial University of Newfoundland

 

50

University of Victoria

 

75

Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

65

University of Manitoba

 

50

Carleton University

 

75

Dalhousie University

 

60

University of Saskatchewan

 

60


Applying to study abroad takes more than the academic achievements of a candidate. Visit the website today to get complete information on studying abroad and applying to the country of your choice.

FAQ

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is an overall average of all the grade points earned by a student in the complete academic session. The CGPA is usually calculated on a 10-point scale, which can be derived by dividing the percentage by 9.5.

While a higher CGPA makes the admission process easier, students with a low CGPA can improve their chances of admission by highlighting other achievements in their application. Factors such as test scores, extra-curricular activities, well-written SOP (statement of purpose), LOR (letters of recommendation), etc., can significantly help students.

CGPA is required during the admission process to universities abroad as it helps the admission authorities determine a student’s current academic position, including subjects relevant to pursuing a degree.

A student with low CGPA can get admission for a master’s degree abroad if the university has a low CGPA requirement. The student also needs to highlight non-academic achievements to make a strong application profile.

Universities, colleges and schools in India consider their grading system, with a majority using the percentage or grade-based evaluation system.

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