LECTURE NOTES

CALCULATING GRADE POINT AVERAGE

The final examination results and assessments at the end of every semester are assigned a Grade
Point Average (GPA) and a Cumulative Grade Point Average
academic achievement.

A Grade Point Average (GPA) refers to the calculated average of the letter grades a student
earns in each semester following a 0 to 4.0 scale.

Table 1: GPA Calculation

Letter Grade Percent Grade 4.0 Scale

A+ 90-100 4.00

A 80-89 4.00

A- 75-79 3.67

B+ 70-74 3.33

B 65-69 3.00

B- 60-64 2.67

C+ 55-59 2.33

C 50-54 2.00

C- 47-49 1.67

D+ 44-46 1.33

D 40-43 1.00

E 30-39 0.67

F 0-29 0.00

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Every semester, students receive a GPA based on the grades they earned in all their courses
during that semester. The formula used for the calculations of the Grade Point Average (GPA)
is as follows:

GPA = The total credit values registered and attempted in the assessment of a semester
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total credit units acquired in the same semester

To find GPA weighted by credit hours, follow these steps:

1. Multiply each numeric grade value by the number of credits the course was worth.
2. Add these numbers together.
3. Divide by the total number of credits you took.
= (3.67 x 3) + (3.33 x 2)
4. Your GPA = 3.53.
------------
3+2

= 11.01 + 6.66
------------
5

= 3.53

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) refers to the overall GPA, which includes dividing the
number of quality points earned in all courses attempted by the total credit hours in all
attempted courses.

CGPA = The total credit values registered and attempted in the assessment of all semesters
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total credit units acquired in all semesters

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FAILURE AND DISMISSAL
Students with extremely unsatisfactory academic performance will/can be dismissed from
his/her study. The status of Dismissed (D) that can be given to students include:

Table 2: Academic Status

Status Description

D1 a CGPA of less than 1.80

D2 a CGPA of less than 1.80 with P1 status

D3 a CGPA of less than 2.00 with P2 status

D4 Failed in a certain course for the third time

D5 a CGPA of less than 2.00 at the end of the maximum period of study and
still have courses which have not been completed

D6 Passed all courses required by a programme and fulfilled all the

requirements of the programme but acquired a CGPA of less than 2.00

D7 Did not sit for the examination of all the registered courses for that
semester without the approval of the University

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ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS
ACTIVITY 1
GPA WORKSHEET

1. Calculate the GPA for Amelia Ameer for her first semester:

Course and Grade (1st Semester) Course Point Average

Comparative Animal Physiology: 3 credits, earned grade of B+

Biochemistry I: 4 credits, earned grade of C-

Integrated Physiology Lab: 1 credit, earned grade of A

Asian Civilization I: 3 credits, earned grade of C-

Ecology: 3 credits, earned grade of A

Korean I: 3 credits, earned grade of B

Total Number of Credits =

Total Points Earned =

GPA =

2. Calculate what would have happened if Amelia had earned a B in Chemistry.

3. What is the difference in GPA?

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 4. Now calculate Amelia GPA for the next semester:

Course and Grade (2nd Semester) Course Point Average

Cell Biology: 4 credits, earned grade of B+

Organic Chemistry I: 4 credits, earned grade of B

Intro Physics I: 4 credits, earned grade of C

Writing in Biology: 3 credits, earned grade of C

Public Speaking: 3 credits, earned grade of A-

Total Number of Credits =

Total Points Earned =

GPA =

5. What would happen if Amelia had received a D in Cell Bio instead of the B+?

6. What is the difference in GPA?

7. What is the difference in CGPA?

8. What does Amelia have to do in order to achieve a GPA of 3.00 in the 2nd semester if her
CGPA falls below 2.50 in the 1st semester?

REFERENCES/RESOURCES
BHEA, UiTM. (2011). Academic Regulations Diploma and Bache
Programmes. Retrieved from
https://hea.uitm.edu.my/v1/images/stories/downloads/academic_regulations/Academic%20R
egulations%20Diploma%20Degree%202011.pdf

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