Why Universities Prefer CGPA Over Percentage
When it comes to evaluating students, many universities across the world have moved from the percentage-based grading to the CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) system. While both methods aim to measure academic performance, CGPA is increasingly preferred for a number of practical reasons. Let’s break down why this shift makes sense for universities and students alike.
1. Standardization Across Courses and Institutions
Percentages can vary widely depending on the difficulty of subjects, marking styles, and even regional education boards. A 75% in one university may not hold the same value as 75% in another. CGPA, on the other hand, provides a normalized scale (often out of 10) that makes it easier for institutions to compare students fairly.
2. Reducing Stress and Pressure on Students
In percentage systems, even a small drop in marks can look drastic, for example, the difference between 89% and 90% feels huge. With CGPA, grades are given in ranges (like A, B, C), which reduces the pressure of achieving “exact numbers.” This approach helps students focus more on learning and skill development rather than going after every single mark. You can also convert your CGPA into a percentage to get an idea of your performance in percentages,
3. Encourages Consistent Performance
CGPA reflects a student’s performance across all semesters, rather than just one exam or year. This allows universities to assess overall consistency rather than a one-time achievement. A student with a steady CGPA demonstrates reliability in academics over time.
4. International Recognition
Most international universities, especially in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe evaluate students based on GPA/CGPA. By adopting this system, universities in other countries align themselves with global academic standards, making it easier for students to apply abroad for higher studies.
5. Easier for Recruiters to Interpret
Employers often prefer CGPA because it gives a quick snapshot of a candidate’s academic standing without going into detailed percentages. A CGPA system also highlights whether a candidate consistently performed well, which is often more valuable than one-time high scores. Convert your percentage into a CGPA to make it easier for recruiters.
6. Reduces Bias in Evaluation
Since percentages are highly detailed, students sometimes lose out due to subjective marking differences. With CGPA’s broader grade ranges, such minor inconsistencies are smoothed out, ensuring a more balanced evaluation.
Conclusion
While percentages give a very accurate number, they often don’t tell the whole story of a student’s academic journey. CGPA, on the other hand, provides a fairer, globally accepted, and less stressful way of measuring performance. That’s why more universities are embracing CGPA as their primary grading system and why students benefit from it in the long run.
