VTU Grading System — Complete Guide to Grades, Points & Percentage
Everything you need to know about VTU's 10-point CBCS grading system — from individual grades to SGPA, CGPA, and percentage conversion.
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) uses a 10-point CBCS (Choice Based Credit System) grading scale for evaluating student performance across all its affiliated engineering colleges. Each subject is assigned a grade based on the marks scored, and each grade maps to a specific grade point. These grade points are then multiplied by the subject credits and averaged to compute your SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average). This system applies uniformly across all schemes — 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2025. Understanding how grades translate to points is essential for calculating your academic standing, converting CGPA to percentage, and meeting eligibility criteria for placements and higher education.
VTU Grade Table
The complete mapping of marks to grades and grade points in VTU's 10-point CBCS system.
| Grade | Grade Points | Marks Range | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O | 10 | 90 — 100 | Outstanding | Pass |
| A+ | 9 | 80 — 89 | Excellent | Pass |
| A | 8 | 70 — 79 | Very Good | Pass |
| B+ | 7 | 60 — 69 | Good | Pass |
| B | 6 | 55 — 59 | Above Average | Pass |
| C | 5 | 50 — 54 | Average | Pass |
| P | 4 | 40 — 49 | Pass | Pass |
| F | 0 | 0 — 39 | Fail | Fail |
How SGPA is Calculated
SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average) is the weighted average of grade points earned in a single semester. Each subject's grade point is multiplied by its credit value, summed up, and then divided by the total credits for that semester.
SGPA = Σ (Credits × Grade Points) / Σ Credits
Worked Example — Semester 4
Consider a student with the following results in Semester 4:
| Subject | Credits | Grade | Points | Credits × Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics IV | 4 | A+ | 9 | 36 |
| Data Structures | 3 | A | 8 | 24 |
| Operating Systems | 3 | B+ | 7 | 21 |
| DBMS | 3 | O | 10 | 30 |
| Java Programming Lab | 1 | O | 10 | 10 |
| Communication Skills | 2 | B | 6 | 12 |
| Total | 16 | 133 |
SGPA = 133 / 16 = 8.31
How CGPA is Calculated
CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the weighted average of all semester SGPAs across your entire degree. Each semester's SGPA is multiplied by the total credits for that semester, summed, and divided by the cumulative total credits.
CGPA = Σ (SGPA × Semester Credits) / Σ Total Credits
Worked Example — 4 Semesters
Consider a student's results across 4 semesters:
| Semester | SGPA | Credits | SGPA × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 8.5 | 20 | 170 |
| Semester 2 | 7.8 | 22 | 171.6 |
| Semester 3 | 8.0 | 21 | 168 |
| Semester 4 | 8.31 | 16 | 132.96 |
| Total | 79 | 642.56 |
CGPA = 642.56 / 79 = 8.13
Percentage Conversion
VTU uses two different formulas to convert SGPA/CGPA to percentage, depending on your admission scheme. Using the wrong formula can change your percentage by up to 7.5 points.
2015 / 2017 / 2018 Scheme
Percentage = (CGPA − 0.75) × 10
Example
CGPA 8.0 → (8.0 − 0.75) × 10 = 72.5%
2021 / 2022 / 2025 Scheme
Percentage = CGPA × 10
Example
CGPA 8.0 → 8.0 × 10 = 80%
Side-by-Side Comparison
| CGPA | Old SchemeOld (CGPA − 0.75) × 10 | New SchemeNew CGPA × 10 | DifferenceDiff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 52.5% | 60.0% | +7.5% |
| 6.5 | 57.5% | 65.0% | +7.5% |
| 7.0 | 62.5% | 70.0% | +7.5% |
| 7.5 | 67.5% | 75.0% | +7.5% |
| 8.0 | 72.5% | 80.0% | +7.5% |
| 8.5 | 77.5% | 85.0% | +7.5% |
| 9.0 | 82.5% | 90.0% | +7.5% |
| 9.5 | 87.5% | 95.0% | +7.5% |
| 10.0 | 92.5% | 100.0% | +7.5% |
Degree Classification
Based on your final CGPA, VTU classifies your degree into one of four categories. The thresholds differ between the older 2018 scheme and the newer 2022/2025 schemes.
Percentage = CGPA × 10
Percentage = (CGPA − 0.75) × 10
Special Grades
Beyond the standard O to F grades, VTU uses special grades for administrative and academic situations. These grades are excluded from SGPA/CGPA calculations.
| Grade | Full Form | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NE | Not Evaluated | Result withheld pending evaluation. Appears when marks are not yet processed. |
| AU | Audit | Course taken as an audit (non-credit). No grade points assigned. |
| AB | Absent | Student was absent for the examination. Counts as a failed attempt. |
| PP | Pass in Practical | Satisfactory completion of a practical/lab component without letter grade. |
| NP | Not Passed | Student did not meet the passing criteria. Must reappear for the exam. |
| IC | Incomplete | Coursework not completed (medical or other valid reasons). Must complete within the stipulated period. |
| W | Withdrawal | Student withdrew from the course or examination before the deadline. |
| DX | Detained | Student detained due to insufficient attendance or disciplinary action. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum passing grade in VTU?
The minimum passing grade is P (Pass), which corresponds to grade point 4 and marks between 40–49%. You must score at least 40% in both internal and external assessments combined to pass a subject.
How many grade points does an O grade carry?
An O (Outstanding) grade carries 10 grade points. It is awarded for marks between 90–100% and is the highest grade in VTU's 10-point CBCS system.
Is the VTU grading system the same for all semesters?
Yes, VTU uses the same 10-point CBCS grading system across all semesters and all schemes (2018, 2021, 2022, 2025). The grade-to-points mapping remains constant. However, the percentage conversion formula differs between older and newer schemes.
What happens if I fail a subject (F grade)?
An F grade (Fail) carries 0 grade points and does not count toward your SGPA calculation. You must reappear for the exam. VTU allows multiple reattempts. Once you pass, the best grade replaces the F grade in your SGPA/CGPA calculation.
How do special grades like NE, AU, or W affect my GPA?
Special grades like NE (Not Evaluated), AU (Audit), AB (Absent), PP (Pass in Practical), NP (Not Passed), IC (Incomplete), W (Withdrawal), and DX (Detained) are excluded from the SGPA/CGPA calculation. They do not contribute grade points and are not counted in the total credits for GPA computation.
Calculate Your Grades
Use our calculators to compute your SGPA, CGPA, and percentage accurately.