How to Convert Indian GPA/ Percentage to US 4 pt. GPA scale

The "How do I convert my GPA/ Percentage" continues to be raised every now and then, especially by graduates of Indian colleges. This post is for those of you who are still tearing their hair out over this one, or those wondering what all the fuss is about. If you don't fall into either of these categories, move on; there's nothing to see here



Before diving in, let's take a moment to understand the grading practice in both countries

Grading Practice in USA

Most colleges and high schools in the US employ the 4 point GPA scale, from 0-4. The assigned grades(A,B, etc.) are converted to the corresponding grade points using the below table. The grade points are then weighted based on the no. of credits for each course to give the GPA (Grade Point Average).

Grades	Grade Points
A	4
A-	3.67
B+	3.33
B	3
B-	2.67
C+	2.33
C	2
C-	1.67
D+	1.33
D	1
D-	0.67
F	0

Grading Practice in India

Most colleges in India either use a 10 point scale known as the CGPA (Cumulative GPA), or just plain percentages. The 10 point scale can be either either relative (as is the case with most of the elite colleges such as the IITs, NITs, and BITS Pilani), or absolute, in which case it would just be the percentage divided by 10
Also, the degree is classified as First Class, Second Class or Pass depending on the CGPA/ Percentage.

So, how do I convert my CGPA/ percentage?

NEVER convert your GPA, unless explicitly asked to do so. Most schools ask you to state your GPA/ percentage as-is, and indicate the scale that is used by your institute.

The only top bschool (that I know of) that asks you to convert your marks to the 4.0 scale is Columbia. They also specify how to calculate your score. (Edit: Columbia has changed its GPA policy. Applicants are no more required to convert their grades to 4.0 GPA scale. See this.) The table relevant to Indian students is below:

Percentage	Grade Point
90–100	4.0
80–89	3.3
70–79	2.3
60–69	1.3
Below 60	0

If you ask me, I think this conversion table is crazy. Many colleges in India grade/score very stringently, since the min. percentage required to graduate is 50%. So, if I were an average student at an elite college in India, my CGPA/ Percentage would be 7.0 or 70%. Using this conversion table, my GPA on a 4 point scale would be 2.3. In the US, however, you need a min. GPA of 2.75 to graduate. A GPA below 3 is considered to be a shocker, while a GPA between 3 and 3.5 would be considered below average. It'll never work; it's like comparing Apples with Oranges, or US Apples with Indian Apples This is why most schools don't ask you to convert your score. I'll raise this issue with Columbia, and I'm hopeful that they'll change their tune.

If you are applying to a school that requires you to convert your score, but doesn't specify the scale/ conversion chart, I'd advise you to use the following chart. It's radical, but it's the only one that'll do your score justice.

Percentage	10 point CGPA	Equivalent GPA	US Grade Equivalent	Classification
60-100	6-10	4	A	First Class/ Distinction
50-59	5-6	3.5	B+	Second Class
40-49	4-5	3	B	Pass
<40	<4	2	C	Fail

^Source: Wikipedia

Here's the conversion chart advocated by WES:

Scale	Equivalent GPA	U.S. Grade Equiv.
70-100	4	A
50-69	3	B
35-49	2	C
0-34	0	F

^Source: World Education Services

Are you sure that schools don't require me to convert my GPA?

When it comes to MBA Applications, I know that most of the people (myself included) won't accept any information unless it comes straight from the horse's mouth. So, here you go:

Stanford
Wharton

Chicago Booth

Yale
Columbia

If you have any info that supports/ lends a different light to the above information, please do post below. Thanks!