Understanding the difference between SGPA and CGPA is crucial for tracking your academic progress at RGUKT
SGPA stands for Semester Grade Point Average. It is the grade point average that a student earns in a single semester. SGPA is calculated by dividing the total credit points earned in that semester by the total number of credits attempted.
Example: If you scored 180 credit points with 20 total credits in Semester 1, your SGPA = 180 ÷ 20 = 9.0
CGPA stands for Cumulative Grade Point Average. It represents your overall performance across all semesters completed so far. CGPA is calculated by dividing the total credit points earned in all semesters by the total number of credits attempted across all semesters.
Example: If you scored 720 total credit points with 80 total credits across 4 semesters, your CGPA = 720 ÷ 80 = 9.0
Scope: One Semester
Purpose: Short-term performance
Updates: Every semester
Impact: Immediate feedback
Scope: All Semesters
Purpose: Overall performance
Updates: Every semester
Impact: Cumulative record
| Aspect | SGPA | CGPA |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Semester Grade Point Average | Cumulative Grade Point Average |
| Time Period | One semester (6 months) | All semesters completed |
| Calculation Basis | Credits and grades of one semester | Credits and grades of all semesters |
| Maximum Value | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Frequency | Calculated after each semester | Updated after each semester |
| Appears On | Semester grade card | Consolidated grade card |
| Used For | Tracking semester performance | Final degree classification, placements |
| Can Change? | No (fixed after semester ends) | Yes (updates every semester) |
| Importance | Immediate feedback | Overall academic record |
| Recovery | Cannot improve past SGPA | Can improve with better future performance |
If all semesters have equal credits, you can simply average the SGPA values:
Example:
CGPA = (8.5 + 9.0 + 8.7 + 9.2) ÷ 4 = 35.4 ÷ 4 = 8.85
If semesters have different total credits, use the weighted average method:
Example:
| Semester | SGPA | Credits | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 8.5 | 20 | 8.5 × 20 = 170 |
| Semester 2 | 9.0 | 22 | 9.0 × 22 = 198 |
| Semester 3 | 8.7 | 21 | 8.7 × 21 = 182.7 |
| Semester 4 | 9.2 | 23 | 9.2 × 23 = 211.6 |
| TOTAL | - | 86 | 762.3 |
CGPA = 762.3 ÷ 86 = 8.87
Both are important, but for different reasons:
Bottom Line: Focus on getting good SGPA every semester, as this will automatically result in a good CGPA. CGPA is what matters most for your career, but you build it through consistent SGPA performance!
Situation: You got 9.5 SGPA in current semester, but your CGPA is 7.2
Reason: Poor performance in earlier semesters is bringing down your overall average.
Action: Keep performing well! Your CGPA will gradually improve with each good semester.
Situation: You got 7.0 SGPA in current semester, but your CGPA is still 8.5
Reason: Your previous semesters' excellent performance is maintaining your CGPA.
Action: Be careful! Continued low SGPA will eventually lower your CGPA.
Situation: Your SGPA is 8.8 and CGPA is 8.7
Reason: Consistent performance across all semesters.
Action: Excellent! Maintain this consistency for best results.
Answer: Yes! If your current semester SGPA is lower than your previous semesters' average, your CGPA will be higher than current SGPA.
Answer: It depends on how low your CGPA is and how much you improve. Generally, 2-3 semesters of excellent performance (9.0+) can boost CGPA by 0.5-1.0 points.
Answer:
Answer: Most companies primarily look at CGPA for eligibility cutoffs (usually 6.5 or 7.0 minimum). However, some may also check semester-wise SGPA to see consistency.
Use our free calculator to instantly compute your SGPA and CGPA for all semesters
Start Calculating SGPA GuideFound this comparison helpful? Share with your classmates!
This guide is for educational purposes. Always verify with official RGUKT academic regulations.