An “A” in one country isn’t the same as an “A” in another. If you’re applying abroad, converting a CGPA, or just curious how your grades translate, this is your map of the world’s major grading systems.
United Kingdom — degree classification
UK universities don’t use GPAs. Your degree gets classified:
| Class | Marks | Rough meaning |
|---|---|---|
| First-class honours (1st) | 70%+ | Outstanding |
| Upper second (2:1) | 60–69% | Strong — the grad-job cutoff |
| Lower second (2:2) | 50–59% | Respectable |
| Third-class honours (3rd) | 40–49% | Pass |
That 70% for a First surprises Americans — UK marking is simply harsher. A 2:1 is the golden ticket most UK employers ask for.
India — CGPA on a 10-point scale
Deep dive: the full India grading system — CBSE CGPA, the ×9.5 conversion, and university scales.
Most Indian universities (CBSE schools, many colleges) use a CGPA out of 10. The common conversion:
Percentage ≈ CGPA × 9.5
So a 8.6 CGPA ≈ 81.7%. Some universities use their own formula — always check your institution’s rule before converting for applications.
Pakistan — GPA on a 4.0 scale (HEC)
Deep dive: the full Pakistan grading system — board divisions, the HEC 4.0 scale, SGPA vs CGPA.
Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission standardizes a 4.0 GPA scale, similar to the US:
| Grade | Points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 85–100 |
| A− | 3.7 | 80–84 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 75–79 |
| B | 3.0 | 70–74 |
Many Pakistani universities publish their own bands, but HEC’s framework is the reference for equivalency certificates.
United States — the 4.0 GPA
The familiar A=4.0, B=3.0 scale. Weighted versions go to 5.0 for AP/IB courses. Use our GPA calculator or weighted GPA calculator to run your numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert CGPA to percentage?
Multiply by 9.5 for the standard Indian formula (8.6 CGPA ≈ 81.7%). Confirm your university’s official formula for applications.
What is a 2:1 in GPA terms?
Roughly a 3.3–3.7 GPA — a strong B+ to A− average. There’s no official conversion; credential evaluators (like WES) do this case by case.
Is Pakistan’s GPA the same as America’s?
Very close — both run on 4.0 with similar grade points, though the percentage bands differ slightly by institution.
Related tools: GPA calculator · GPA to percentage · Grade % calculator