How to Calculate GPA and CGPA in Malaysia: A Simple Guide

Worried about the competitive world of academia? 

Wondering how your academic performance is measured?

We understand that knowing the grading system in Malaysia might be complex at first, but we assure you it is a simple tool for evaluating your performance.

So…whether you are a first-year university student, or you are nearing graduation, understanding how to calculate GPA and CGPA in Malaysia is your next best powerful tool.

This article  will guide you through the grading system in Malaysian universities, how to calculate your GPA and CGPA in Malaysia, and how it compares to other grading systems in other countries.

Overview of Malaysian Grading System

In Malaysia, students’ performances are evaluated using a standardized grading system across universities and colleges.

Most Malaysian higher education institutions use a letter grading system (A, B, C, D, F).

These grades are then used to calculate a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) for individual semesters and their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) over the duration of their study program.

What is GPA?

GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number representing a student's academic performance over a specific period, usually one semester. 

GPA is calculated based on the grade points received in each course and the corresponding credit hours for each course.

How to Calculate GPA in Malaysia: Step-by-Step

1. List Your Courses:

• Write down all the courses you took in the semester, along with the credit hours for each course.

2. Identify the Grade for Each Course:

• For each course, have the letter grade you received (e.g., A, B+, C, etc.).

3. Find the Corresponding Grade Points:

• Refer to your university's grading scale to find the grade points associated with each letter grade (e.g., A = 4.00, B+ = 3.33).

4. Multiply the Grade Points by the Credit Hours:

• For each course, multiply the grade points by the credit hours.. This gives you the total grade points for each course.

5. Add the Total Grade Points:

• Sum up all the total grade points for each course.

6. Add the Total Credit Hours:

• Sum up all the credit hours for the courses you’ve taken in the semester.

7. Divide the Total Grade Points by Total Credit Hours:

• Finally, divide the sum of the total grade points by the sum of the total credit hours. This gives you your GPA for the semester.

Example GPA Calculation

• Course 1: A (4.00) × 3 credit hours = 12.00 grade points

• Course 2: B+ (3.33) × 4 credit hours = 13.32 grade points

• Course 3: B (3.00) × 3 credit hours = 9.00 grade points

Total Grade Points: 12.00 + 13.32 + 9.00 = 34.32
Total Credit Hours: 3 + 4 + 3 = 10

GPA = 34.32 ÷ 10 = 3.43

How to Calculate CGPA in Malaysia: Step-by-Step

Identify the GPA for Each Semester:

• For each semester, note the GPA you achieved (calculated using the GPA formula for each term).

Multiply the GPA by the Total Credit Hours for Each Semester:

• For each semester, multiply the GPA by the total credit hours earned in that semester. This will give you the total grade points for each semester.

Add Up the Total Grade Points from All Semesters:

• Sum the total grade points from all the semesters you’ve completed.

Add Up the Total Credit Hours from All Semesters:

• Sum the total credit hours from all semesters.

Divide the Total Grade Points by the Total Credit Hours:

• Finally, divide the total grade points from all semesters by the total credit hours to get your CGPA.

 Is the Malaysian Grading System Better than Other Countries?

The Malaysian grading system is similar to that used in many parts of the world:

• United States: The US also uses a letter grading system (A, B, C, D, F) with a 4.0 GPA scale. However, the percentage brackets may differ slightly, and they often use plus/minus systems more frequently (A-, B+).

• United Kingdom: In the UK, a percentage-based system is more common, with classifications like First Class (70%+), Upper Second (2:1) (60-69%), and Lower Second (2:2) (50-59%). There is no direct conversion to a GPA or grade point system.

• Europe (ECTS System): In some European countries, a European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) is used, which grades students on a scale from A to F, where A is the highest and F is a fail, with no numerical grade points assigned.

Compared to these systems, Malaysia’s blend of letter grades and numerical grade points provides a clearer and more transparent method for calculating both semester and overall performance.