Written by Christian Chinonso
Founder, LearnViaHub | Academic Credential & International Student Research
✓ Last checked: 16 October 2026
Quick answer
GPA in Pakistan is the credit-weighted average of your grade points: multiply each course’s grade points by its credit hours, add the results and divide by your total credit hours. Each university sets its own grade points, and we found no single national table.
Most scales top out at 4.0, but Aga Khan University grades out of 5.0. A mark of 72 is worth 3.0 at the University of the Punjab and COMSATS, 3.5 at Quaid-i-Azam University, 2.8 at the University of Sindh and 4.0 (out of 5.0) at Aga Khan University.
A CGPA is an average, so no table converts it to an exact percentage. We found no official Pakistan-to-US GPA conversion. Report your grades as printed and use your own university’s rule.
How to calculate GPA and CGPA in Pakistan
The formula is GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ credit hours. The University of the Punjab states it this way for semester GPA and for CGPA (Punjab). Only the grade-point values change from one university to the next.
- List every course and its credit hours. A 3-credit course moves your GPA three times as much as a 1-credit lab.
- Convert each grade to grade points using your own university’s table (below).
- Multiply grade points by credit hours to get the quality points for each course.
- Add up quality points and credit hours separately.
- Divide total quality points by total credit hours. That is your GPA.
For CGPA, pool every semester into one fraction and divide once. Do not average semester GPAs:
| Semester | Quality points | Credit hours | Semester GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 51.00 | 15 | 3.40 |
| Semester 2 | 55.50 | 18 | 3.08 |
| Total | 106.50 | 33 | CGPA = 106.50 ÷ 33 = 3.23 |
Averaging 3.40 and 3.08 would give 3.24. The pooled CGPA is 3.23, and the gap grows when semesters carry different credit loads.
Grade points by university
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) sets minimum standards for undergraduate education, and universities must adopt its Undergraduate Education Policy (V 1.1) from Fall 2023 (HEC notice). We could not open HEC’s policy PDF, so this page does not reproduce an HEC grade table. It shows the rules universities publish themselves. They are examples, not a national list, and several documents are undated.
Letter grades to grade points
These four publish letter grades and grade points: COMSATS (CUI Abbottabad regulations), FAST-NUCES (grading page, BBA and BS), ITU (grading policy) and NUST (undergraduate handbook).
| Grade | COMSATS | FAST-NUCES | ITU | NUST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | — | 4.00 | 4.00 | — |
| A | 4.0 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| A− | 3.66 | 3.67 | 3.67 | — |
| B+ | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.33 | 3.50 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| B− | 2.66 | 2.67 | 2.67 | — |
| C+ | 2.33 | 2.33 | 2.33 | 2.50 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| C− | 1.66 | 1.67 | 1.67 | — |
| D+ | 1.30 | 1.33 | 1.33 | 1.50 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
A dash means the grade does not appear in that university’s table. NUST has no minus grades, so its B+ is worth 3.50 while the same grade is 3.33 at COMSATS, FAST and ITU. We show no marks for NUST.
Marks to grade points
The University of the Punjab (affiliated colleges and its doctoral programme page), COMSATS, Quaid-i-Azam University (BS rules) and the University of Sindh (grading policy) publish marks ranges. Their bands do not line up, so each is shown separately.
University of the Punjab (affiliated colleges and doctoral programme)
| Marks | Grade point |
|---|---|
| 85 and above | 4.00 |
| 80–84 | 3.70 |
| 75–79 | 3.30 |
| 70–74 | 3.00 |
| 65–69 | 2.70 |
| 61–64 | 2.30 |
| 58–60 | 2.00 |
| 55–57 | 1.70 |
| 50–54 | 1.00 |
| Below 50 | 0.00 |
The source PDF is undated and its letter-grade column is partly unreadable, so we show marks and grade points only.
COMSATS (CUI Abbottabad, Regulations Relating to Undergraduate Degree Programs, 2006)
| Marks | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 85 and above | A | 4.0 |
| 80–84 | A− | 3.66 |
| 75–79 | B+ | 3.33 |
| 71–74 | B | 3.0 |
| 68–70 | B− | 2.66 |
| 64–67 | C+ | 2.33 |
| 61–63 | C | 2.0 |
| 58–60 | C− | 1.66 |
| 54–57 | D+ | 1.30 |
| 50–53 | D | 1.0 |
| Below 50 | F | 0.0 |
The regulations set the course pass mark at 50%. The document is undated.
Quaid-i-Azam University (BS programmes)
| Marks | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 80 and above | A | 4.00 |
| 76–79 | A− | 3.80 |
| 72–75 | B+ | 3.50 |
| 68–71 | B | 3.00 |
| 64–67 | B− | 2.80 |
| 60–63 | C+ | 2.50 |
| 55–59 | C | 2.00 |
| 50–54 | D | 1.00 |
| 0–49 | F | 0 |
The page is undated.
University of Sindh
Sindh’s policy gives a finer scale from the 2K21 batch onward and keeps the earlier scale for 2K20 and older batches:
| Marks (2K21 onward) | Grade point | Marks (2K20 and older) | Grade point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85–100 | 4.0 | 80–100 | 4 |
| 80–84 | 3.6 | 60–79 | 3 |
| 75–79 | 3.2 | 50–59 | 2 |
| 70–74 | 2.8 | 40–49 | 1 |
| 65–69 | 2.4 | Below 40 | 0 (fail) |
| 60–64 | 2.0 | ||
| 55–59 | 1.5 | ||
| 50–54 | 1.0 | ||
| Below 50 | 0.00 (fail) |
The pass mark moved from 40 to 50 between the two batches. The policy says its main method is absolute grading.
Aga Khan University: a 5.0 scale
Not every Pakistani university uses 4.0. Aga Khan University’s assessment and grading policy (approved November 2023) grades out of 5.0:
| Marks | Grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 | A | 5.0 |
| 75–79 | B+ | 4.5 |
| 70–74 | B | 4.0 |
| 65–69 | C+ | 3.5 |
| 60–64 | C | 3.0 |
| 55–59 | D+ | 2.5 |
| 50–54 | D | 2.0 |
| Below 50 | F | 0.0 |
The same mark gives different grade points
These values are read straight from the tables above. AKU is out of 5.0.
| Mark | Punjab | COMSATS | QAU (BS) | Sindh (2K21+) | AKU (of 5.0) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 4.00 | 4.0 | 4.00 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| 82 | 3.70 | 3.66 | 4.00 | 3.6 | 5.0 |
| 77 | 3.30 | 3.33 | 3.80 | 3.2 | 4.5 |
| 72 | 3.00 | 3.0 | 3.50 | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| 67 | 2.70 | 2.33 | 2.80 | 2.4 | 3.5 |
| 62 | 2.30 | 2.0 | 2.50 | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| 57 | 1.70 | 1.30 | 2.00 | 1.5 | 2.5 |
| 52 | 1.00 | 1.0 | 1.00 | 1.0 | 2.0 |
A grade point from one university should not be compared with another’s until you know which scale produced it.
Worked example
Four hypothetical courses worth 12 credits in total. Each cell shows the grade point, then grade point × credits.
| Course | Mark | Credits | Punjab | Sindh (2K21+) | COMSATS | QAU (BS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 88 | 3 | 4.00 → 12.00 | 4.0 → 12.0 | 4.0 → 12.00 | 4.00 → 12.00 |
| B | 76 | 3 | 3.30 → 9.90 | 3.2 → 9.6 | 3.33 → 9.99 | 3.80 → 11.40 |
| C | 68 | 4 | 2.70 → 10.80 | 2.4 → 9.6 | 2.66 → 10.64 | 3.00 → 12.00 |
| D | 61 | 2 | 2.30 → 4.60 | 2.0 → 4.0 | 2.0 → 4.00 | 2.50 → 5.00 |
| Total (12 credits) | 12 | 37.30 | 35.20 | 36.63 | 40.40 | |
| GPA (total ÷ 12) | 3.11 | 2.93 | 3.05 | 3.37 |
The credit-weighted average mark for this transcript is 73.8%, yet the GPA is 3.11, 2.93, 3.05 or 3.37 depending on the scale. The result is a planning figure, not an official GPA.
Retakes and failed courses
A failed course earns 0.00 grade points, but its credit hours stay in the denominator until the course is cleared. Suppose a student takes 12 credit hours, earns an A (4.00) in three 3-credit courses and fails a fourth. The GPA is 36.00 ÷ 12 = 3.00. If the retake earns a B (3.00) and replaces the F, it becomes (36.00 + 9.00) ÷ 12 = 3.75. Whether the new grade replaces the old one depends on the university:
| University | Failed course | Improving a passed course |
|---|---|---|
| NUST | Both grades stay on the transcript and the better grade is used for CGPA (handbook). | Allowed, better grade used. The handbook states no cap, and no improvement after the degree is completed. |
| FAST-NUCES | Only the most recent grade points are used, even if lower than earlier attempts (grading page). | Allowed. The same latest-grade rule applies, and the page states no cap. |
| LUMS | Grade replacement: only the best grade counts. A core-course F can be attempted at most twice (2022–23 catalogue). | Allowed if the earlier grade was C− or below. If it was C or above, all grades count. |
| Quaid-i-Azam University (BS) | Not stated in the BS rules we read (BS rules). | D or C grades can be repeated in summer sessions, in at most four courses. If marks do not improve, the original marks stand. |
| COMSATS (CUI Abbottabad) | Failed courses may be repeated for a fee. The regulations do not say which grade counts (regulations). | Allowed for a fee. The regulations state no cap. |
| Aga Khan University | Both attempts appear on the transcript, but only the new grade is used in GPA (policy). | A repeated course is recorded at a maximum grade of B. |
| University of the Punjab (MS/MPhil) | A student below 2.50 but above 2.30 gets one chance to repeat two subjects (2–6 credit hours). If still below 2.50, they are dropped (doctoral programme page). | Not stated on that page. |
Minimum CGPA rules
These are the minimums each university states for itself:
| University | Rule stated |
|---|---|
| NUST | CGPA of 2.00 to graduate. BBA, BS Economics, Public Administration, Mass Communication, Accounting & Finance and Psychology need 2.50. |
| LUMS | CGPA of at least 2.00 to graduate (undergraduate). |
| ITU | BS 2.00, MS 2.50, PhD 3.00. |
| FAST-NUCES | Minimum CGPA to avoid academic warning: BBA and BS 2.0, MBA and MS 2.5, PhD 3.0. |
| COMSATS (CUI Abbottabad) | Good standing needs a CGPA of at least 2.00. Below 2.00 at the end of a semester means probation. |
| Quaid-i-Azam University (BS) | Below 1.0 at the end of any semester: removed from the rolls. 1.0 to below 2.0: probation. The rules refer to a minimum required CGPA of 2.0. |
| University of the Punjab | MS/MPhil: CGPA of 2.50 minimum. PhD: 3.00 minimum. |
GPA and percentage
A CGPA averages grade points across courses, so it does not map to one exact percentage. What you can read from a university’s table is the marks range behind a single grade point:
| Grade point | Punjab | Sindh (2K21+) | COMSATS | QAU (BS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 70–74 | none (2.8 is 70–74, 3.2 is 75–79) | 71–74 | 68–71 |
| 2.5 | between 2.30 (61–64) and 2.70 (65–69) | between 2.4 (65–69) and 2.8 (70–74) | between 2.33 (64–67) and 2.66 (68–70) | 60–63 |
| 2.0 | 58–60 | 60–64 | 61–63 | 55–59 |
So a CGPA of 2.5 points to marks from about 60 to 70, depending on the university. That is an estimate. If your university prints its own CGPA-to-percentage formula, use that, and ask your registrar if it does not. We did not find a CGPA-to-percentage formula in the NUST handbook, so do not assume one.
Divisions and board exams
Older Pakistani certificates may show a First, Second or Third Division instead of a GPA, and the University of the Punjab still publishes division-wise analyses of its BA/BSc annual examination results. We could not find a current official table of the percentage bands, so we do not quote one. The bands are printed on your certificate or set by your board or university, so check them there.
Board exams are also changing. The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) says the pass mark is now 40%, up from 33%, and that all boards must adopt a new letter-grade system from the 1st Annual Examination 2026, in phases, with full adoption by 2028 (IBCC FAQ). Its page gives mark ranges for only three of the new grades, so we do not reproduce a table.
Reporting Pakistani grades to a US programme
We found no Pakistan-to-US GPA conversion published by the Pakistani or US government. US universities and credential evaluators set their own, so ask your target programme which one it uses.
- Report grades as printed on your transcript, including the scale: marks, grade points out of 4.0 or 5.0, or division.
- Attach your university’s grading key where the application allows supporting documents.
- Convert only if the application asks. If it names an evaluator or a method, use that one.
- Report the figure you are given and do not round it up.
If a programme requires a formal evaluation by a credential service, our WES evaluation guide explains the process. Pakistan’s accession to the Apostille Convention entered into force on 9 March 2023 (HCCH status table). Ask the receiving institution whether it requires an apostille.
Converting other grading systems? See these guides:
Frequently asked questions
What is GPA in Pakistan?
GPA (grade point average) is the credit-weighted average of your course grade points, and CGPA is the same average across every semester. Most Pakistani universities in this guide use a 4.0 maximum, but each sets its own grade points, and Aga Khan University grades out of 5.0.
How do I calculate GPA in Pakistan?
Multiply each course’s grade points by its credit hours, add the results, and divide by your total credit hours. Use the grade-point table your own university publishes, because the values differ.
How do I calculate CGPA in Pakistan?
Pool the quality points and credit hours from every semester and divide once. Do not average your semester GPAs, because semesters with more credits should weigh more.
What GPA criteria does HEC set?
HEC sets minimum standards that universities must adopt from Fall 2023 (HEC notice), but we could not open the policy to quote its CGPA minimums. The minimums above are the ones each university states, for example 2.00 to graduate at NUST, LUMS and ITU.
What is the average GPA in Pakistan?
We found no official national average. Scales differ (4.0 at most universities, 5.0 at Aga Khan University), so one national figure would not be meaningful.
What is the highest GPA in Pakistan?
On the scales above the top grade point is 4.0, or 5.0 at Aga Khan University. ITU and FAST-NUCES give A+ and A the same 4.00.
What is the passing grade in Pakistan?
It depends on the institution. The pass mark is 50 at the University of the Punjab, COMSATS, QAU and the University of Sindh (2K21 onward), and Sindh’s 2K20 and older batches passed at 40. Board exams now use a 40% pass mark (IBCC).
How do I convert my GPA to a percentage in Pakistan?
There is no exact conversion, because a CGPA is an average. Read the marks range for your grade point in your university’s table, or use the CGPA-to-percentage formula if your university publishes one.
Does a failed course affect my CGPA?
Yes, until it is cleared. An F earns 0.00 grade points while its credits stay in the denominator. At NUST, LUMS, FAST-NUCES and Aga Khan University the new grade is used in place of the failed one, but the rules differ, so see the retake table above.
Can I convert my Pakistani GPA to a US GPA myself?
Only as an estimate. We found no official conversion, and US institutions and evaluators set their own. Follow the method your target programme names, and report your original grades as printed.
How we researched this
Last checked: 16 October 2026 (sources first read on 15 October were re-linked on this date). We read each rule on the page linked beside it: the University of the Punjab’s affiliated-colleges semester rules and doctoral programme page, the University of Sindh’s grading policy, ITU’s grading policy, COMSATS (CUI Abbottabad) regulations, FAST-NUCES’s grading page, NUST’s undergraduate handbook, LUMS’s 2022–23 undergraduate catalogue, Quaid-i-Azam University’s BS rules, Aga Khan University’s grading policy, HEC’s notice on the Undergraduate Education Policy, the IBCC grading FAQ and the HCCH Apostille status table.
Limits: the universities are examples, not a national list. We did not cover the University of Karachi or UET, and we did not read LUMS’s grade-point table or NUST’s marks bands. We could not open HEC’s policy PDFs, so no HEC table is reproduced, and we found no current official table for division bands. Several documents (Punjab, Sindh, QAU, COMSATS, NUST) are undated. The worked examples use hypothetical marks. Universities revise their rules, so confirm the current version with your registrar.
This page is for general information. LearnViaHub is not affiliated with HEC, any university or any government agency mentioned. Check the requirements of your target programme before applying.
Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.