Understanding the Malaysian University Grading System

Trying to navigate the Malaysian university grading system? 

Sounds like a good thing to do because understanding the grading system in Malaysian universities will hopefully unlock your academic success.

In this article, we are providing you with a breakdown of how the Malaysian university grading system works, as well as some tips to maintain high grades during your studies. 

Stick around to know more about the Malaysian university grading system.

Overview of the Malaysian University Grading System

The grading scheme used in Malaysian universities is usually based on a letter grade scale, which then turns into a Grade Point Average (GPA).

Each letter grade represents a range of marks or percentages that show how well a student performed in a particular subject. Here is an explanation of the overall grading system:

• A (Excellent)

Indicators/Rates: 80–100%

Points for grades: 4.00

• B (Good)

Marks/%: 65-79 percent

Points for grades: 3.00–3.99

• C (Satisfactory)

Marks/Rates: 50–64%

Points for grades: 2.00–2.99

• D (Pass)

 40–49% in marks/percentage

Points awarded: 1.00 to 1.99

• F (Fail)

Less than 40% of the total points

Points for grades: 0.00

What is GPA (Grade Point Average) System and How Is It Calculated?

The grade point average (GPA) is the average of a student's course grades, based on the number of credit hours for each subject. 

With the use of this grading system, universities measure a student's performance, which makes it easier to track academic progress, and spot students who might need extra academic support.

How is GPA Calculated?

1. Identify grade points for each course that the student has taken.

2. Multiply the grade points by the credit hours for each course.

3. Sum up all the results from the grade points multiplied by the credit hours for each course.

4. Divide the summed up result by the total number of credit hours for all courses.

Credit Hours and Their Role in the Grading System

Universities use credit hours as a measure to tell how much workload is required for a particular course. 

This shows how many hours per week a student should be spending on coursework, which includes both classroom learning and independent study. 

One hour of classes and two hours of independent study per week are typically equal to one credit hour.

The Role of Credit Hours in Malaysian University Grading System

As explained above, each course's workload is reflected in its credit hours. When it comes to a student's performance in university, a course with more credit hours is more significant.

Higher credit courses typically demand more time for study. Therefore, a student's cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and grade point average (GPA) are more significantly impacted by these courses.

In the Malaysian university grading system, the students GPA and CGPA are calculated based on both the grades that the student has earned and the number of credit hours for each course.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

One important measure of a student's overall academic success across their whole study is their cumulative grade point average (CGPA). 

It is the average of all the Grade Point Averages (GPAs) achieved in all semesters, showing the level of academic achievement over a specific amount of time.

The Importance of Maintaining a Good CGPA

Graduation Requirement

• Most universities have a minimum CGPA requirement for graduation. 

Scholarship and Financial Assistance

• Many scholarships and financial aid require students to maintain a minimum CGPA.

Postgraduate Admissions

• A high CGPA is often a critical factor in admissions to postgraduate programs.

Academic Probation

• Students who fail below a certain CGPA may be placed on academic probation.

5 Tips for Achieving and Maintaining High Grades

1. Understand the course structure and requirements

2. Participate actively in class

3. Join study groups for academic support

4. Use effective study techniques

5. Manage your time wisely