There are different kinds of grading systems in the Indian education board for students. As no one university follows the same system, understanding these is quite important. If you plan to study abroad, they always require a standardised format for evaluation, whereas the grading system in India is a mix of percentages, grades, CGPA, SGPA, and sometimes even internal evaluation components. Read the complete blog to have more clarity on how these gradings are given in India.
Why is understanding the grading system crucial for Indian students?
It is crucial to understand the grading system of India because these marks, percentages, grades, or GPAs, are not just numbers; they have great importance for the following:
- University admissions abroad
- Scholarship prospects
- Visa credibility
- Your academic profile as a whole
Types of Grading System: Quick Comparison
Universities often follow different ways of showing academic performance for students. Here are the types as an overview to understand the kinds:
| Grading System | Uses |
| Percentage | Schools and universities |
| CGPA (10-point) | CBSE and universities |
| GPA (4-point) | Private or global institutions |
| Letter Grades | Schools |
| SGPA/CGPA | Universities |
Major Types of Grading Systems in India
As it has already discussed, there are several ways through which educational institutions provide academic performance to students. Here is detailed information about these for Indian students:
Percentage-Based System
This is the most common grading format used in schools and most universities. Marks are given to students out of 100, and the result is presented as a percentage. While it is very easy to understand, percentages can become confusing internationally. Different universities evaluate them differently, and can, in some cases, undervalue high scores. It is commonly used in national boards like CBSE, ICSE, and many State boards
For example:
- 85% = Above and Beyond
- 60 to 75% = Average to Above Average
CGPA System (Cumulative Grade Point Average)
As pr this format of the grading system in India, the grades are transformed into a scale of 10 points. It is extensively used in CBSE for class 10th and in many universities. The CGPA makes it easier for US universities to compare your performance. It’s more standardised for international students’ evaluation. For instance,
- 9.0 CGPA is equivalent to 85 to 90%
GPA System
The GPA is directly used by some private universities and a number of international universities in India to measure students’ performance in a year. The scale is generally 4.0 or sometimes 5.0. It is closely aligned with study abroad destinations, especially the US.
Letter grade system
A letter grade-based system replaces numerical grades with letters indicating performance, such as A, B, C, etc. The grade-based score generally lacks fine distinctions. Universities abroad, in that case, may require class rank, approximate percentage equivalents, etc. Here is the common way of representing the scholastic achievement:
| Grading Format | Meaning |
| A1 or A | Excellent |
| B | Good |
| C | Average |
| D | Pass |
SGPA System (Semester-wise pattern)
Most universities following a semester-wise pattern use this system. It is different from CGPA as it represents specific semester performance, whereas CGPA represents average grades throughout the semesters. It is a much more detailed indicator of your academic performance and is more likely to be useful in PG applications abroad.
How are Indian grades evaluated globally?
As there are different ways through which the academic performance of a student can be evaluated in India, the Indian marking method needs to be converted to the grading system of the chosen country to study abroad. Most universities abroad don’t just require your marks; they need you to convert them into a standardised system, such as GPA. This helps in many ways, one such way is how two students with the same percentage from different universities may not be assessed the same way.
If you need help with the GPA conversions or at any step of the study abroad procedure, you can consult the Leverage Education study abroad team for help & consultation. These platforms can guide you in making decisions based on your profile evaluation.
FAQs
What is the most commonly used grading system in India?
The percentage-based system is one of the most often grading systems in India, especially in schools and many college. However, CGPA is also widely used in universities and colleges.
How do foreign universities evaluate the grading system in India?
The universities and colleges abroad, while evaluating Indian scholars, often convert their marks into GPA equivalents and assess them based on the university’s grading scale, reputation, and consistency.
Is CGPA better than percentage for studying abroad?
Yes, CGPA is widely spent for the evaluation of international students for admission purposes. It is because it is easier to interpret widely and aligns more closely with international grading systems, making your application clearer for admissions teams.
(DISCLAIMER: The information in this article does not necessarily reflect the views of The Global Hues. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information in this article.)
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