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

Question

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

Never convert your GPA/ percentage unless explicitly asked to do so. 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4Msx4ff4EI Here is a table relevant to Indian students specified by Columbia business school to calculate your GPA. (NOTE: Columbia has changed its GPA policy lately. CBS applicants are no more required to convert their grades to 4.0 GPA scale 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 by Wikipedia . 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 Conversion chart by GMAC . 4.0 Scale A - F 100 - 0 1 - 5 Four Passing Grades Three Passing Grades 4.0 A 90-100 1 Highest Passing Grade Highest Passing Grade 3.0 - 3.9 B 80-89 2 Second Highest Passing Grade Middle Passing Grade 2.0 - 2.9 C 70 - 79 3 Third Highest Passing Grade Lowest Passing Grade 1.0 - 1.9 D 60 - 69 4 Lowest Passing Grade Fail 0.0 - 0.9 F Below 60 5 Fail Fail ^Source: GMAC 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!

iamgame · Answer

Awsome information!
Alternatively, you can also have WES evaluate your transcripts and provide you with equivalent US transcripts, though for a price. But if you are ready to pay, there are resources available.

jumsumtak · Answer

Does anyone know how are international candidate's gpas incorporated in the gpa range published by the school.

For eg. Kellogg reports 10-90th percentile between 3.19 and 3.88. Is this for the whole class, including international candidates, whose gpa is not calculated on a 4.0 scale? If yes, schools must be following some criteria to convert these. Right?

worldofecofin · Answer

I agree with rasta to some extend.....While applying to one of the schools, I mentioned 4.0 as my GPA. Graduating with First Class (60% in Mumbai Univ) is all that top B-schools expect. Some universities no doubt have a rigorous marking scheme (eg. University of Mumbai). On the other hand, I've heard of students in the north (Punjab especially) scoring 90-95% in engineering. 30% of the batch in the south (Bangalore university for instance) scores above 70% and roughly 5% of them score above 80%. In Mumbai Univ, these scores are rare and depends on the stream you study as well. You can't really compare the marking scheme across universities and streams. Having said that, most of the schools consider 60% at the graduation level as good and focus on other aspects of your app....
Also, why do students who score 80-90% in engineering from these universities end up scoring 600-650 on the GMAT, while someone with 55-60% from Mumbai University can manage 730-780? That clearly shows the difference in intellectual level, which isn't really captured in the graduation scorecard. I'm pretty sure the adcom will be looking at these discrepancies as well.

jumsumtak · Answer

Had a chat with Cornell Johnson adcom member.

She mentioned that an international candidate is not required to report GPA on a 4.0 scale but they do have reasonably comprehensive equivalent scales for many of the universities across the globe and that is how they come up with the 4. 0 thing. Obviously, the conversion is continuously evolving and gets better as more applicants from that particular university apply. They also do a lot of secondary research on this. It also helps if you mention that you were 2nd in a class of 130 or in top 5% bla bla. They can benchmark your performance better.

AbhiJ · Answer

US GPA = (INDIAN GPA out of scale of 10 + 2) / 3

70% = INDIAN GPA 7.0 ; US GPA = 9/3=3.0

soumodipm · Answer

Very useful thread that gives a fair idea about converting GPA. As a baseline I understood, don't scratch or overburden your head by converting GPA /Percentage/CGPA, let the Admission team judge your performance.

Thanks all for sharing the information.

vp101 · Answer

Simple, I have not added a GPA on the GMAT profile.

ravitejajasti · Answer

https://www.mba.com/mbas-and-business-m ... des-to-gpa

Narenn · Answer

Topic revamped and bumped for fresh discussion and insights.

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

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My Rewards

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

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

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

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

4.0 Scale	A - F	100 - 0	1 - 5	Four Passing Grades	Three Passing Grades
4.0	A	90-100	1	Highest Passing Grade	Highest Passing Grade
3.0 - 3.9	B	80-89	2	Second Highest Passing Grade	Middle Passing Grade
2.0 - 2.9	C	70 - 79	3	Third Highest Passing Grade	Lowest Passing Grade
1.0 - 1.9	D	60 - 69	4	Lowest Passing Grade	Fail
0.0 - 0.9	F	Below 60	5	Fail	Fail