Got your results out, but still struggling to understand the grading systems? With the cumulative grading system, it might get difficult to calculate the percentage you have scored. Firstly, there are different cumulative systems for gauging one’s marks. And both of them seem to be almost the same. But, there is a slight difference in CGPI and CGPA.
CGPA vs. CGPI
CGPA and CGPI are two different terms used to measure students’ academic performance. CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average, a numerical representation of the average of all grades earned in a particular course. While CGPI stands for Cumulative Grade Point Index, a numerical representation of the average grades earned across all courses a student takes.
There are two types of CCPA – weighted and unweighted. Weighted CGPA takes class coursework into consideration when determining what grade each student receives. This is different from unweighted grade point average which is commonly used to calculate your overall average grade out of 4.0, without regard to the difficulty of your coursework. You can read our comparison of weighted vs unweighted CGPA to learn more.
While both CGPA and CGPI indicate academic performance, the grading measure varies. Though most schools use percentages to calculate their grading points for each course, some schools may use letter grades or other grading systems to gauge their final grade points.
Calculating CGPA
CGPA is calculated by taking into account the grades received by the student in all the courses taken during a specific academic session and dividing it by the total number of courses taken. CGPA is a weighted average of grades and gives a single number that summarizes the student’s performance. You can convert your CGPA scores to marks using our calculator.
Use of CGPA
This metric is widely used in schools and colleges as a standard method of evaluating student performance. It is expressed as a decimal value, typically on a scale of 0 to 10 or 0 to 4, and is essential in determining a student’s eligibility for scholarships, transfer to another program or graduation.
Use of CGPI
It is used primarily in India and is calculated by taking the weighted average of the grades received in all courses, similar to how CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is calculated. The CGPI ranks students and assesses their academic progress over time.
Difference between CGPA and CGPI
CGPA and CGPI are two terms commonly used in the education sector to measure students’ academic performance. Although both terms are related to student performance, there is a clear difference between CGPA and CGPI.
| CGPA | CGPI |
| CGPA, which stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average, is a numerical representation of a student’s academic performance in a specific program or course. It is calculated by taking into account the grades received by the student in all the courses taken during a specific academic session and dividing it by the total number of courses taken. | CGPI, on the other hand, stands for Cumulative Grade Point Index. It is a similar metric to CGPA and is used to measure a student’s academic performance over a period of time. Unlike CGPA, CGPI is calculated based on a different set of parameters, including each course’s credit hours, the course’s difficulty level, and the student’s grades. |
| CGPA is a weighted average of grades and gives a single number that summarizes the student’s performance. | CGPI is generally used in technical and professional programs to measure the student’s performance, as it considers the courses’ difficulty level. |
While CGPA and CGPI are used to measure a student’s academic performance, they are different in how they are calculated and the parameters they take into account. CGPA is a simple average of grades used in most educational programs. At the same time, CGPI is a more detailed calculation that considers various factors and is used in technical and professional programs.
Now that you are clear about the difference between CGPA and CGPI, it will never be a problem for you to gauge your performance.
