Stay updated on campus life, tips, and student news.
Stay updated on campus life, tips, and student news.
Introduction
Do you dream of graduating with a First-Class degree?
You’re not alone — thousands of students across Nigerian universities share the same goal. But only a few actually get there.
The secret isn’t just studying hard — it’s understanding how your results are calculated. Once you know how your CGPA works, you can plan smarter, monitor your progress, and make every semester count.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Understanding the Grading System
Every grade you earn has a value. Nigerian universities mostly use a 5.0 grading scale, and it looks like this:
| Score Range | Letter Grade | Grade Point (GP) |
|---|---|---|
| 70% and above | A | 5.00 |
| 60 – 69% | B | 4.00 |
| 50 – 59% | C | 3.00 |
| 45 – 49% | D | 2.00 |
| 40 – 44% | E | 1.00 |
| Below 40% | F | 0.00 |
Interactive tip:
Take a few minutes to review your last semester results.
Try assigning grade points using the table above — it helps you see where your strong and weak points are.
Step 1: How to Calculate Your GPA
Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is your average performance for a single semester.
Here’s how to calculate it:
- Multiply each course’s Credit Unit (CU) by its Grade Point (GP). That gives you the Quality Point (QP).
- Add up all the Quality Points.
- Add up all the Credit Units.
- Divide the total Quality Points by the total Credit Units.
Example:
If your total Quality Points = 56 and total Credit Units = 18
then GPA = 56 ÷ 18 = 3.11
That’s your semester GPA.
Try this yourself:
Pick your last semester’s results, plug in your course units and grades, and find your GPA.
Once you see the number, you’ll know exactly what to improve next semester.
Step 2: How to Calculate Your CGPA
Your CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) tells the story of your overall academic performance from your first semester till date.
Here’s the simple formula:
CGPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Units
Example:
If first semester = 56 QP, 18 CU, and second semester = 67 QP, 20 CU
Then CGPA = (56 + 67) ÷ (18 + 20) = 123 ÷ 38 = 3.24
That’s your running total — the higher your GPA each semester, the higher your CGPA climbs.
Degree Classifications in Nigerian Universities
Every CGPA range falls under a degree classification.
Check where you currently stand:
- First Class: 4.50 – 5.00
- Second Class Upper (2.1): 3.50 – 4.49
- Second Class Lower (2.2): 2.40 – 3.49
- Third Class: 1.50 – 2.39
- Pass: 1.00 – 1.49
Interactive thought:
Where do you belong right now — and where do you want to be next semester?
Set that as your personal CGPA target.
How to Achieve a First-Class Degree
Getting a First-Class degree isn’t magic — it’s consistency, smart work, and self-discipline.
Here’s how you can position yourself for it:
- Set realistic but ambitious goals each semester.
- Attend all lectures and engage actively.
- Study smart — understand concepts, don’t just cram.
- Revise weekly instead of waiting until exams.
- Practice past questions — they reveal how lecturers set tests.
- Work in study groups but don’t depend entirely on them.
- Meet lecturers or classmates when you’re stuck on a topic.
- Keep your mind and body healthy — rest, eat well, and stay focused.
- Review your GPA and CGPA every semester to track your growth.
Interactive challenge:
After every semester, calculate your GPA and write it down.
Seeing your progress can motivate you to push for better results next time.
Conclusion
Your CGPA doesn’t just measure your grades — it measures your consistency, effort, and growth as a student.
By learning how it works, setting academic goals, and improving gradually, you can move closer to that First-Class dream every semester.
Remember: success doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built one course, one grade, and one semester at a time.
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