Understanding Grades & GPA: How Your Academic Performance is Evaluated at PAU

Posted by: Dr Singh
Category: Academic Excellence
Read Time: 8 minutes

Introduction

One of the most confusing aspects of PAU's semester system for new students is understanding how grades work. You might wonder: "How is my grade calculated?" "What does a credit point mean?" "What's the difference between GPA and OCPA?" This post breaks down the grading system in simple terms so you know exactly where you stand academically.

How Your Grade is Calculated

Your grade in any course is not based on a single exam. Instead, it's a combination of multiple assessments throughout the semester:

Components of Your Grade

1. Short Tests (Announced Tests)

Written tests lasting about 1 hour
Announced at least 1 week in advance
Tests your understanding of recent topics
Contributes to your overall course grade

2. Mid-Semester Examination

Held during week 11 of the semester
Lasts at least 1 hour
Covers material from the first half of the semester
Important checkpoint before the final exam

3. End-of-Semester Examination

Held at the end of the semester
Lasts at least 2 hours
Covers the entire course content
Must account for at least 35% of your total marks
Mandatory: You must appear in this exam or you'll fail the course

4. Continuous Evaluation

Laboratory work and practical assignments
Seminar presentations
Problem-solving assignments
Research projects
Class participation (varies by instructor)

What Weightage Each Component Gets?

Your instructor decides how much weight to give each component. For example, a course might be graded as:

Short tests: 20%
Mid-semester exam: 25%
End-of-semester exam: 40%
Lab work/assignments: 15%

The key point: Your instructor announces this breakdown at the start of the semester, so you know what to expect.

Understanding Credit Points

Credit points are the numerical representation of your performance in a course. They're measured on a scale of 0 to 10.00.

The Credit Point Scale

Your Score	Credit Points
100%	10.00
99%	9.90
98%	9.80
95%	9.50
90%	9.00
85%	8.50
80%	8.00
75%	7.50
70%	7.00
65%	6.50
60%	6.00
55%	5.50
50%	5.00
Below 50% (Undergrad) / Below 60% (Postgrad)	F (Fail)

Example: If you score 78% in a course, you get 7.80 credit points in that course.

Understanding Your GPA vs. OCPA

These two terms confuse many students, so let's clarify:

Semester GPA (CPA)

CPA = Credit Point Average for one semester

This is the average of credit points you earned in courses during that specific semester, weighted by credit hours.

How it's calculated:

Each course has credit hours (usually 3 or 4)
Multiply credit hours × credit points for each course
Add all the results
Divide by total credit hours

Example:

English (4 credits, 7.5 points): 4 × 7.5 = 30
Math (3 credits, 8.0 points): 3 × 8.0 = 24
Science (4 credits, 6.5 points): 4 × 6.5 = 26
Total: (30 + 24 + 26) ÷ (4 + 3 + 4) = 80 ÷ 11 = 7.27 CPA

Overall GPA (OCPA)

OCPA = Your cumulative performance across all semesters

This includes every course you've ever taken at PAU since admission.

How it's calculated:

Add all credit hours from all semesters
Add all credit points from all semesters
Divide total credit points by total credit hours

Example:

Semester 1 total: 50 credit points from 24 credit hours
Semester 2 total: 55 credit points from 26 credit hours
OCPA: (50 + 55) ÷ (24 + 26) = 105 ÷ 50 = 2.10 OCPA

Why OCPA matters: Your OCPA is what decides if you're on "Good Standing" or "Scholastic Probation."

Passing vs. Failing

Minimum Marks to Pass

For Undergraduate Students:

Must score at least 50% in theory
Must score at least 50% in practical
Must score 50% in BOTH to pass

For Postgraduate Students:

Must score at least 60% in theory
Must score at least 60% in practical
Must score 60% in BOTH to pass

Special note: If you pass theory but fail practical (or vice versa), you still fail the course.

What Happens When You Fail?

You get an 'F' grade, which means:

Zero credit points for that course
The course doesn't count toward your graduation credits
You must retake the course

When you retake a failed course:

Your second attempt's grade replaces the F
New credit points are recorded
Both attempts appear in your official record
The retake is marked with an "r" notation

Grades Beyond Numbers: What Do They Mean?

PAU uses letter grades and symbols for various situations:

Grade	Meaning	What It Means
F	Fail	Below passing marks
S	Satisfactory	Used for research work, seminars, and projects
US	Unsatisfactory	Used when research/projects don't meet standards
W	Withdrawn	You officially withdrew from the course
I	Incomplete	You couldn't complete coursework due to valid reasons
NC	Non-Credit	Course taken but doesn't count toward credit requirements

The 'I' (Incomplete) Grade

If you can't finish a course due to illness or emergency:

Your instructor can award an 'I' grade
You must complete the work in a later semester
You must clear this grade before graduation

Getting Better Grades: Special Options

Compartment Exams (Undergraduates Only)

If you fail in theory but pass practical, you can take a compartment exam.

Rules:

Maximum 3 compartment exams per semester
Only one attempt per compartment exam
Fees apply
Exams held as per academic calendar
You must pass to clear the course

Who's eligible:

Must have attended at least 75% classes
Must have passed the practical exam
Must appear in the end-of-semester exam

Re-evaluation of Answer Sheets

Think your answer sheet was marked unfairly? You can request re-evaluation.

Limits:

Up to 50% of courses you registered for (or 3 courses, whichever is less)
Only for final theory examinations under external exam system

Process:

Apply within 15 days of result announcement
Pay the prescribed fee
A different examiner reviews your paper
Results declared within 3 working days
Marks can increase by maximum 5% (unless there was a counting error)

Important: Original marks are hidden from the new examiner to ensure fairness.

Keeping Good Standing: The Magic Numbers

Minimum OCPA for Graduation

Student Type	Minimum OCPA Required
Undergraduate	5.50 (out of 10)
Postgraduate	6.50 (out of 10)

If you meet this minimum, you're in "Good Standing" and can graduate.

What If You Don't Meet the Minimum?

Scholastic Probation: If you fall below the minimum at the end of any semester, you're placed on scholastic probation.

What this means:

You get one more semester to improve
Continue your courses as normal
Must bring your OCPA up to minimum
Can't represent the college in sports/activities

If you still don't improve:

You may be dropped from the university
You can petition for re-admission

Repeating Courses to Improve Your GPA

If you score between 5.00-5.49 in a course, you can repeat it with the Dean's permission.

Important conditions:

Only allowed once per course
Must be to help you meet minimum GPA (not for merit improvement)
Both attempts appear on your record
New grade replaces the old grade for GPA calculation
Marked with an "r" in your official record

Example: You got 5.25 in Biology, need to improve your GPA.

You repeat Biology
Score 6.50 this time
New grade (6.50) is used in GPA calculation
Both attempts listed in your record

Make-Up Exams: What If You Miss an Exam?

Legitimate Reasons to Miss an Exam

You can take a make-up exam if you have:

Medical emergency (with hospital certificate)
University-deputed activities (sports, cultural events)
Hospitalization during exam period

How to Get a Make-Up Exam

File a petition within 3 working days of the missed exam through:
- Your advisor
- Your instructor
- Head of Department
Provide proof:
- Medical certificates from recognized hospital
- Official university deputation letter
- Hospitalization records
The Head will decide if your reason is valid
If approved: You take make-up exam within 7 days

Tips for Academic Success

Attend all classes: Regular attendance helps you understand topics and perform better in assessments.
Stay organized: Keep track of test dates, assignment deadlines, and exam schedules.
Ask for help early: If you're struggling in a subject, talk to your instructor or advisor before exams.
Understand weightage: Know how much each component (tests, practicals, final exam) contributes to your grade.
Review your mid-semester report: Use it to identify weak areas and improve before final exams.
Know your minimum: Always aim to meet the minimum GPA for your level (5.50 for undergrad, 6.50 for postgrad).
Use re-evaluation wisely: If you believe there's an error, request re-evaluation within 15 days.

Common Questions About Grades

Q: Can I improve my grade if I already passed?
A: No. Repetition is only allowed to meet minimum GPA requirements, not for merit improvement.

Q: What happens to my old grade when I retake a course?
A: Both grades appear in your record, but the new grade is used for GPA calculation. The old attempt is marked with "r".

Q: If I fail practical, can I retake only the practical?
A: No. You must retake the entire course, including theory.

Q: How long do I have to retake a failed course?
A: There's no specific time limit, but the course must be retaken when it's offered in your curriculum.

Q: Does a zero credit course affect my GPA?
A: No. Non-credit courses don't count toward GPA calculations.

Key Takeaways

Your grade is based on continuous assessment, not just final exams
Credit points (0-10 scale) represent your performance
GPA is semester-based; OCPA is cumulative
Meet minimum OCPA to graduate and stay in good standing
Compartment exams and re-evaluation are backup options
Regular attendance and early intervention are your best strategies

For More Information:

Consult your department advisor
Visit the Dean's office

Disclaimer: This is a simplified explanation based on PAU's official Semester & Hostel Rules 2025-26. For complete details, refer to official university documents.

Last Updated: October 2025

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