Letter Grades -- S P Jain uses a relative grading system, meaning that grades are assigned on a curve. The top 25% of students in each class receive an A. The middle 50% get a B. The bottom 25% get a C, D or F, with at least 5% getting a D or F. Professors evaluate students using a percentage system, and the Registrar's office converts the percents to letter grades, based on the curve described above. The system is designed to prevent grade inflation, and follows the practice of organizations like Harvard Business School. You should understand this system before you arrive, because competition is very fierce for the top grades. And just because you were one of the best students in your high school doesn't mean that you will necessarily get all A's at S P Jain.
GPA and CGPA -- Grade point average (GPA) is an average of your grades for a given semester or year. Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) calculates your grades for your entire time at a school. Your grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to a 4.3. It is based on the LETTER grades you received (see above):
A+ = 4.3 / A = 4.0 / A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3 / B = 3.0 / B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3 / C = 2.0 / C- = 1.7
D = 1.0 / F = 0 [S P Jain does not give D+ or D-]
As an example, if you had taken 10 classes, and earned 5 A's, 1 B and 4 C's your CGPA would be [(5x4.0) + (1x3.0) + (4x2.0)] / 10 = 25/10 = 2.0.
Dean's List -- Every semester, the top 10% of each cohort (all the students who joined in one year) are named to be on the Dean's List. If there are 100 students in your group (for instance, in BBA13), then 10 students will be on the Dean's List each semester. These students get special privileges, and usually go on an outing or event with the Dean or Assistant Dean of their campus. One time they went to see Wicked, the Broadway musical. Often they go to a really nice restaurant for a fancy meal. Also, their permanent transcript shows that they were on the Dean's List. A 10% scholarship is awarded to the top-performing student who gets on the Dean's List both semesters for any given year (provided that they are not already on full scholarship).
Attendance and Grades -- Now listen up, because this is probably one of the biggest misunderstandings Jags have their first semester. Attendance is taken in every class. You are given a certain amount of "free" absences (like if you don't feel too good but you don't want to go to the doctor and just need some extra sleep). At last count, it was four excused absences per class per semester. But after that, like on the FIFTH absence, YOUR GRADES GO DOWN. Yes, indeed. So if you had an A- in a class, that fifth absence drops you to a B+. And the sixth absence takes you down to a B. If you had a C-, you drop to a D (OUCH!) because there's no D+. After that, it's an F. Now, any absences with a doctor's certificate are excused. But that means you have to go to the doctor (kind of a pain in the neck, and the cost adds up.) NEW JAGS OFTEN DON'T BELIEVE THAT GRADES REALLY GO DOWN -- BUT THEY DO. JUST ASK ANYBODY. And then figure out what you're going to tell your parents when they see the bad grades. Moral of the story: go to class, dudes!