GENERAL ACADEMIC ADVICE: Advice 6

HOW CAN I CALCULATE MY ''G.P.A'' and ''C.G.P.A''?

Your G.P.A. and C.G.P.A. are the pointers to your overall performance in the university. They stand as traffic signs to alert you on the direction which you are moving as far as your study of philosophy is concerned. Therefore, you must know the basics of calculating your G.P.A. and C.G.P.A. in order to track your academic performance and this is a practical task.

As earlier said, your G.P.A. would be calculated according to semester while your C.G.P.A. would be calculated according to session. Given below is an example of how ‘’ Francis Adeleke’’ a first class student’s G.P.A. and C.G.P.A. was calculated throughout a four year/session study of philosophy in the University of Lagos (this first class student could also just be you);

100 LEVEL/FIRST SESSION> 1^ST SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 101	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 102	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 103	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 104	15	10	42	67	B	2
PHY 105	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 106	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 107	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 108	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 109	15	15	45	75	A	2
GST 100	-	-	pass	65	P	0

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. One ‘GST’ course is offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 7 courses= 70

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 2 courses= 16

· Total marks:- 70+16= 86 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 86 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.77

100 level- First semester G.P.A. = 4.77 (first class)

100 LEVEL/FIRST SESSION> 2^nd SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 110	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 111	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 112	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 113	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 114	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 115	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 116	15	15	45	75	A	2
CRA 101	12	11	43	67	B	2
CRA 102	10	13	45	68	B	2

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘CRA’ stands for ‘creative arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. No ‘GST’ courses offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 6 courses= 60

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 3 courses= 24

· Total marks:- 60+24= 84 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 84 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.66

100 level- Second semester G.P.A. = 4.66 (first class)

First session C.G.P.A. = (1^ST Semester G.P.A + 2^nd Semester G.P.A) / 2

( 4.77 + 4.66 ) / 2

TOTAL= 4.71

First session C.G.P.A. = 4.71 (first class)

200 LEVEL/SECOND SESSION> 1^ST SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 201	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 202	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 203	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 204	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 205	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 206	13	10	44	67	B	2
PHY 207	15	15	45	75	A	2
VSA 224	12	11	43	67	B	2
VSA 261	10	13	45	68	B	2

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘VSA’ stands for ‘visual arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. No ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 5 courses= 50

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 4 courses= 32

· Total marks:- 50+32= 82 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 82 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.55

200 level- First semester G.P.A. = 4.55 (first class)

200 LEVEL/SECOND SESSION> 2^nd SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 210	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 211	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 212	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 213	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 214	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 215	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 216	15	15	45	75	A	2
VSA 263	12	11	43	67	B	2
VSA 272	10	13	45	68	B	2
GST 202	-	-	pass	62	P	0
GST 214	-	-	pass	80	P	0

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘VSA’ stands for ‘visual arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. Two ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 6 courses= 60

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 3 courses= 24

· Total marks:- 60+24= 84 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 84 (achieved marks) /18 (units)= 4.66

200 level- Second semester G.P.A. = 4.66 (first class)

Second session C.G.P.A. = (100 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 100 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 200 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 200 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A) / 4

(4.77 + 4.66 + 4.55 + 4.66) / 4

TOTAL= 4.66

Second session C.G.P.A. = 4.66 (first class)

300 LEVEL/THIRD SESSION> 1^ST SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 301	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 302	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 303	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 304	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 305	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 306	15	16	45	76	A	2
PHY 307	15	15	45	75	A	2
VSA 341	12	11	43	67	B	2
VSA 354	10	13	45	68	B	2

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘VSA’ stands for ‘visual arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. No ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 6 courses= 60

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 3 courses= 24

· Total marks:- 60+24= 84 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 84 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.66

300 level- First semester G.P.A. = 4.66 (first class)

300 LEVEL/THIRD SESSION> 2^nd SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 310	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 311	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 312	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 313	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 314	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 315	12	15	40	67	B	2
PHY 316	15	15	45	75	A	2
VSA 367	12	11	43	67	B	2
VSA 374	10	13	45	68	B	2

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘VSA’ stands for ‘visual arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. No ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 9 courses:- 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 5 courses= 50

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 4 courses= 32

· Total marks:- 50+32= 82 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 82 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.55

300 level- Second semester G.P.A. = 4.55 (first class)

Third session C.G.P.A. = (100 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 100 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 200 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 200 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 300 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 300 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A) / 6

(4.77 + 4.66 + 4.55 + 4.66 + 4.66 + 4.55) / 6

TOTAL= 4.64

Third session C.G.P.A. = 4.64 (first class)

400 LEVEL/FOURTH SESSION> 1^ST SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 401	10	12	41	63	B	2
PHY 402	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 403	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 404	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 405	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 406	15	16	45	76	A	2
PHY 407	15	15	45	75	A	2
VSA 444	12	11	43	67	B	2
VSA 471	10	13	45	68	B	2

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10. Also, ‘VSA’ stands for ‘visual arts’ an elective (borrowed) course. No ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 9 courses: - 10 x 9= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- 2 units x 9 courses= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 5 courses= 50

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 4 courses= 32

· Total marks:- 50+32= 82 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 82 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.55

400 level- First semester G.P.A. = 4.55 (first class)

400 LEVEL/FOURTH SESSION> 2^nd SEMESTER
Course code	Assignment (over 20)	Test (over 20)	Examination (over 60)	Total (over 100)	Grade	Units
PHY 410	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 411	15	15	45	75	A	2
PHY 412	10	13	45	68	B	2
PHY 413	11	11	43	65	B	2
PHY 414	10	15	45	70	A	2
PHY 415	12	15	40	67	B	2
PHY 416	15	15	45	75	A	2
Undergraduate research project (60 pages)				77	A	4

Note: Each course is perceived as over 10 except the ‘undergraduate research project’ that is over 20. No ‘elective’ or ‘GST’ courses are offered.

So, 7 courses + project work: - (10 x 7) + 20= 90 (possible marks)

· Units:- (2 units x 7 courses)+ 4 units= 18 (units)

· ‘A’ is calculated as ‘10/10’:- so, 10 x 4 courses= 40

· ‘B’ is calculated as ‘8/10’:- so, 8 x 3 courses= 24

· Project work:- 20

· Total marks:- 40+24+20= 84 (achieved marks)

· G.P.A.- 84 (achieved marks) / 18 (units)= 4.66

400 level- Second semester G.P.A. = 4.66 (first class)

Fourth session C.G.P.A. = (100 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 100 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 200 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 200 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 300 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 300 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A+ 400 level>1^ST Semester G.P.A + 400 level> 2^nd Semester G.P.A) / 8

(4.77 + 4.66 + 4.55 + 4.66 + 4.66 + 4.55 + 4.55 + 4.66) / 8

TOTAL= 4.63

Fourth session C.G.P.A. = 4.63 (first class)

Therefore, the final/overall C.G.P.A. which is the graduating grade of the student is ‘4.63’ which is a ‘first class’ grade. A brief rundown of the student’s yearly performance is given below;

100 LEVEL/FIRST SESSION
1^st semester G.P.A.	2^nd semester G.P.A.	C.G.P.A
4.77	4.66	4.71
200 LEVEL/SECOND SESSION
1^st semester G.P.A.	2^nd semester G.P.A.	C.G.P.A
4.55	4.66	4.66
300 LEVEL/THIRD SESSION
1^st semester G.P.A.	2^nd semester G.P.A.	C.G.P.A
4.66	4.55	4.64
400 LEVEL/FOURTH SESSION
1^st semester G.P.A.	2^nd semester G.P.A.	C.G.P.A
4.55	4.66	4.63

If you study the above performance very well, you would notice that Francis was consistent in getting first class G.P.A^Sthroughout all the semesters. THIS IS A VERY BITTER TRUTH! ‘If you ever desire to graduate with a first class degree, do not ever fall below a first class C.G.P. in any of your semesters’. At least, you should have nothing less than a ‘4.5’ in any semester (which is equivalent to 5A^Sand 4B^S). Is it possible to get such distinctive grade? The answer is yes; BUT, I would then ask you ‘are you ready to do the right thing’? The right thing is not what you think, I bet you (you’ll find this out later on).

Another fact about C.G.P.A^Sis that ‘they do not increase, they decrease continually’. Study the above performance again and you would notice this. This is the case because as the semesters and sessions progress, the cumulative G.P.A^Skeep getting divided by higher numbers (i.e. 2 to 4 to 6 and then finally to 8 according to semesters). At most, in the rare case of an extremely brilliant and lucky student, the C.G.P.A. would remain at a particular spot. This is popularly known as ‘G.P maintenance’. Accordingly, this means that your first G.P.A. is very critical and that leads us to the next point.

GENERAL ACADEMIC ADVICE

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