The (KNUST Grading System):How To Calculate Your CWA/GPA-complete guide

 

When it comes to the KNUST grading system , it’s important to have a good understanding of how it works.

In this article, you’ll learn about the KNUST’s grading system, including the scale used and how grades are calculated, what constitute the KNUST grading system ect.

KNUST GRADING SYSTEM

Welcome to the institution where the enigma of knowledge is unlocked solely by the discerning.

You must feel a sense of accomplishment having secured admission to the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Your dedication and fervor have indeed borne fruit, but your journey of diligence is far from over. Now that you have been granted entry, it’s natural to harbor inquiries about the institution, particularly with regard to The KNUST Grading System.

WHAT CONSTITUTES THE KNUST GRADING SYSTEM?

The KNUST Grading System is formally referred to as the Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA).

CWA, in essence, is a system of evaluation determined by computing a student’s mean performance across all subjects within a given course.

Typically, KNUST assessments allocate 70% of the grade to examinations, while the remaining 30% is derived from a student’s participation in school-related activities, encompassing practical work, mid-semester evaluations, assignments, research projects, punctuality, group collaborations, and other factors contingent on the specific course and the lecturer’s discretion in evaluating performance.

This summation results in a total of 100%.

The computation of CWA hinges on the marks assigned and the credit weighting they carry.

Initially, students begin their first semester with a CWA of 100.00.

Subsequently, as they progress through the semester’s examination schedule, their weighted average is recalculated to ascertain their cumulative score. The KNUST Grading System adheres to the following scale:

 

CLASS	CWA
First-class	70 and above
Second class-upper	69.99 – 60.00
Second class-upper	59.00 -50.00
Third class	49.00 40.00

 

THE SCORE RANGE OF THE KNUST GRADING SYSTEM

GRADE	MARKS/SCORE	GRADE COMMENTS
A	70.00 – 100	Excellent
B	60.00 – 69.99	Very-Good
C	50.00 – 59.99	Good
D	40.00 – 49.99	Pass
F	0.00- 49.00	Fail
I		Incomplete (medical reason)
I*		Incomplete ( mark not available)
I’		Incomplete  ( prevented from writing the examination)
DF		could not register or attend lectures for a class
DF*		attended lectures but could not write examinations due to work schedule

HOW TO CALCULATE YOUR CWA USING THE KNUST GRADING SYSTEM

Discussing the importance of achieving good grades is a frequent topic among students. However, there’s a distinction between putting in effort to earn those grades and merely daydreaming about them.

The KNUST Grading System is designed in a way that discourages laxity, compelling students to remain diligent. This constant need to excel is a driving force behind students’ commitment to their studies.

To clarify, KNUST permits students to enroll in anywhere from 3 to 10 courses within their academic program each year.

The specific number of courses required varies depending on the program, with some students being obligated to register for 11, 12, or even 13 courses.

Remarkably, whether a student is taking three courses per semester or eleven, their total credit hours should fall within the range of 16 to 21—no more, no less.

Now let us use a more practical example:

Suppose a first-year student of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology and Social work has registered for the following courses.

Course No.	Credit Hours
SOC 153	3
SOWK 155	3
SOWK 157	3
CSM 183	2
ENGL 157	2
MATH 153	2
SOC 151	3
AFS 171	1
Cumulative Credit total	19

Sample courses and grades

Course No.	Credit Hours	Marks (100%)	Cumulative marks	Grade
SOC 153	3	68	204	B
SOWK 155	3	71	213	A
SOWK 157	3	76	228	A
CSM 183	2	63	126	B
ENGL 157	2	67	134	B
MATH 153	2	71	142	A
SOC 151	3	85	255	A
AFS 171	1	76	76	A
TOTAL	19		1378

CALCULATING YOUR CWA WITH THE KNUST GRADING SYSTEM

To get the CWA for a first-year first semester the total cumulative weighted marks is divided by the cumulative credits. To get your cumulated marks, multiply your score/marks percentage by the course credit hour.

Cumulative weighted marks

Eg: for SOWK 157

76*2= 152

Cumulative weighted average

1378/19 =72.53

CWA for the first semester is  72.53, First class

We find from the table above that the student was fortunate enough to obtain the first class in their first year at the university. This mark can either increase or reduce as time goes on, based on how well they perform.

Hence, it does not matter your class for a particular semester or your overall cumulative average or class, you can still trail if you don’t put in much effort.

Lucky for you the school will allow you to resit for the particular course you trailed until you get at least a pass. Therefore, students are implored to take each course seriously.

for more information visit Knust.edu.gh

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TRAIL IN KNUST? 

The KNUST grading system has been ordered in such a way that if a student trails it means that they were unable to obtain a pass mark which is between a 50 -59; a student can also trail under the conditions of incomplete grade (I, I* and I’) or the conditions of deferment of a course ( Df, Df*).

CONDITIONS TO REWRITE YOUR EXAMS IN KNUST

Students who fall under these conditions are allowed to rewrite their exams

• Students under the grade comment (I’) as a result of owing fees or non-registration
• Students tagged as Df* for a course as in the case of IDL students
•  Students who have written a course and failed (F) at the end of the semester
•  Students unable to write under a medical condition with the provision of a medical report issued or endorsed by the Director of University Health Services; NOTE: such students should have registered and attended lectures, tutorials and practicals to the fulfilment of the course.

NOTE: students tagged as (Df) are not considered eligible to take part in the rewriting of exams.

HOW TO CONVERT GPA AND CWA UNDER KNUST GRADING SYSTEM

Grades under the GPA system is basically the same as that of the CWA system.

It runs from letters A through to F; it has a weighted scale that goes up to 5 when you convert the CWA to GPA, unlike the traditional GPA that goes up to 4.

A typical GPA looks like this:

GRADE	GPA
A	4.00
B	3.00
C	2.00
D	1.00
F	0.00

 

To convert CWA to GPA,

Multiply your CWA by 4, and divide it by 100.

For the example we gave above the student’s weighted average was 72.53, so then

GPA = (CWA x 4) / 100

= (72.53 x 4) / 100 = 2.90

This is for a CWA of 100% which is equivalent to a  GPA of 4.00

There are a lot of contractions based on the country’s GPA system or the range you choose to use.

Good luck and congratulations! on getting into KNUST.

You might just take a slightly different path to get your perfect CWA; don’t give up or be disheartened. The KNUST grading system reflects your performance in school, and not your ability to succeed or fail in life.

read also:

1. HOW TO CHANGE YOUR PROGRAMME IN KNUST
2. How To Request For Refund Of Excess Fees In KNUST
3. How To Login (KNUST STUDENTS PORTAL)
4. How To Apply for KNUST Transcript (TranSwift)