KWASU Grading System: How GPA and CGPA Work at Kwara State University
How GPA and CGPA work at KWASU, with a worked example, the degree classes, and simple habits that protect your CGPA from 100 level.
Almost every KWASU student asks at some point: what exactly is my CGPA, and what do I need to graduate with a good class?
Here's how the system works, with a worked example you can copy for your own results. The scale below is the standard Nigerian 5-point scale, which is how KWASU's grading is widely published. If your handbook says something different, follow your handbook.
The grading scale
| Score | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 70 and above | A | 5.00 |
| 60 to 69 | B | 4.00 |
| 50 to 59 | C | 3.00 |
| 45 to 49 | D | 2.00 |
| 40 to 44 | E | 1.00 |
| 0 to 39 | F | 0.00 |
So the lowest passing score is 40, which is an E. Anything below 40 is an F.
How your score is made up
Your score in each course is usually split like this:
- Continuous assessment: 30% (tests, quizzes, assignments, term papers)
- End-of-semester exam: 70%
This means you can lose a grade before you even enter the exam hall, so do not ignore your tests and assignments.
GPA and CGPA: the difference
- GPA is your average for one semester.
- CGPA is your average across all semesters so far.
Your final degree class is based on your CGPA at the end. For a deeper explanation, read our guide on the difference between GPA and CGPA.
How to calculate your GPA
The formula is:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Units
Where Quality Points = Grade Point × Course Unit for each course.
Worked example
Say you took five courses this semester:
| Course | Unit | Score | Grade | Grade point | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course A | 3 | 72 | A | 5 | 15 |
| Course B | 3 | 65 | B | 4 | 12 |
| Course C | 2 | 58 | C | 3 | 6 |
| Course D | 2 | 48 | D | 2 | 4 |
| Course E | 2 | 61 | B | 4 | 8 |
| Total | 12 | 45 |
GPA = 45 ÷ 12 = 3.75
That is a good semester. Do the same for each semester.
How to calculate your CGPA
Add the quality points and units from all semesters, then divide.
CGPA = Total Quality Points (all semesters) ÷ Total Credit Units (all semesters)
Example
| Semester | Quality points | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 100 level, first | 45 | 12 |
| 100 level, second | 50 | 14 |
| 200 level, first | 60 | 16 |
| Total | 155 | 42 |
CGPA = 155 ÷ 42 = 3.69
Do not just add the GPAs and divide by the number of semesters. That gives a wrong answer when your semesters have different units.
For more worked examples, see our full guide: how to calculate GPA and CGPA in Nigerian universities. If you are a 100 level student, start with how to calculate CGPA for 100 level.
Degree classes
On the standard 5-point scale, the usual boundaries are:
| CGPA | Class |
|---|---|
| 4.50 to 5.00 | First Class |
| 3.50 to 4.49 | Second Class Upper (2:1) |
| 2.40 to 3.49 | Second Class Lower (2:2) |
| 1.50 to 2.39 | Third Class |
| 1.00 to 1.49 | Pass |
These are the standard boundaries, and a 2026 report on a KWASU graduate who finished with a 4.50 CGPA and a First Class matches them. Confirm with your department, because some schools add extra conditions for First Class (for example, no carry-over or no resit).
Can I still make First Class?
It depends on how many units you have left and your current CGPA. Run the numbers instead of guessing. Use our GPA tools to work out what you need in the remaining semesters, or read can I still graduate with First Class?.
How to protect your CGPA from day one
- Treat 100 level seriously. Early low grades are hard to recover later because the units pile up.
- Never miss registration. If you forget to register a course, you can get stuck. See what to do if you forgot to register a course.
- Know your unit load. High-unit courses affect your GPA more than low-unit ones. Put your best effort there.
- Avoid carry-overs. A failed course must be repeated, and it takes time and effort you could spend on new courses.
- Track your CGPA every semester. Do not wait until 400 level to find out you are behind.
- Do your SIWES and project well. They carry heavy units. See our guides on the KWASU SIWES report and KWASU project format.
More strategy here: how to graduate with First Class in a Nigerian university.
Skip the arithmetic
The MonoEd GPA tools do the sums for you. Enter your courses, units and scores and you'll see your GPA, CGPA and what you need next semester.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the KWASU grading system?
A 5-point scale. A is 70 and above (5.00), B is 60 to 69 (4.00), C is 50 to 59 (3.00), D is 45 to 49 (2.00), E is 40 to 44 (1.00) and F is below 40 (0).
What is the pass mark?
On the published scale, 40 (grade E) is the lowest passing score. Anything below 40 is an F. Confirm with your department.
How do I calculate my CGPA?
Multiply each course's grade point by its units to get quality points. Add the quality points from all your semesters and divide by the total units.
What CGPA is a First Class?
4.50 to 5.00.
Is KWASU on a 4.0 or 5.0 scale?
5.0. If you see a 4.0 figure somewhere, it comes from a different system or a conversion, so check your result slip.
Can a carry-over affect my class of degree?
Yes. A failed course lowers your CGPA until you pass it, and some departments add extra conditions for First Class. Clear carry-overs early.
Does SIWES count towards my CGPA?
It usually carries credit units, so it can. See how SIWES is graded.
About the Author
Mohammad-Jamiu B. Balogun, GMNSE
AI Security Researcher · Founder, MonoEd Africa
Mohammad-Jamiu is a First-Class Telecommunications Engineer and Best Graduating Student, BUK '24, and an AI security researcher. He founded MonoEd Africa to give Nigerian students AI-powered academic tools — from SIWES logbooks to final year projects. His work has reached over 10,000 students across Nigeria.
