Understanding Credits, GPA, and the Grading System in College

Every new academic year, there will certainly be new students who must adapt to the environment in college. Of course, there are many differences between schools and colleges, including the assessment system, as well as new terms that must be understood when studying. Therefore, it is important to learn various new terms before starting lectures. To help new students get to know new terms, the following will discuss SKS, GPA, and the assessment system in college.

Understanding the Definition of SKS, GPA, and the Assessment System

Definition of SKS (Semester Credit System)

SKS is a term that indicates the amount of a student's study load in one semester. Simply by knowing how many credits are in a course, you can know what will be studied, whether the load is heavy, light, difficult or quite easy.

For example, a thesis course. Because of the high level of difficulty and burden, it is not surprising that the thesis credits are around 4 to 6 credits. The number of credits can also determine the duration of the lecture. 1 credit value means 1 hour of teaching and learning activities per week, including a 5-10 minute break in it.

SKS is different from KRS or Study Plan Card. KRS is a list of courses to be taken during one semester. Each semester you will get a maximum credit limit. For example, in semester 2, your maximum credit limit is 24 credits. So when filling out the KRS, you must choose the compulsory courses first, then the students are filled with elective courses according to their wishes.

Understanding GPA (Cumulative Achievement Index)

GPA or Cumulative Achievement Index is the total of the grades from the first semester to the last semester. The definition of GPA is the IP calculated from the learning results of all courses programmed in the semester that has been completed.

From this explanation, GPA is greatly influenced by the IP value and the quality of the grades in each course. This means that the better the quality of each course's grades, of course you will get a higher GPA. The quality of the grade consists of A with a value of 4, B with a value of 3, C with a value of 2, D with a value of 1 and E with a value of 0.

Grading System in Higher Education

Each university has its own assessment provisions. In fact, some lecturers in class have different policies. However, to provide an explanation of how the assessment system in higher education, here is an example:

• Mid-Semester Exam (UTS) as much as 35%, consisting of 20% of the exam score and 15% of the practical exam score.

• Final Semester Exam (UAS) as much as 35%, consisting of 20% of the exam score and 15% of the practical exam score.

• Independent as much as 15%.

• Structured 15%.

Examples of how to process grades from Lecturers to find numeric grades, letter grades and quality grades are as follows:

• Independent Grade = 15% x 85 = 12.75

• Structured Grade = 15% x 90 = 13.5

• Mid-Term Grade = 35% x 69 = 24.15

• Final Exam Grade = 35% x 60 = 21

• Numerical Grade (NA) = (12.75) + (13.5) + (24.15) + (21) = 71.4

• Letter Grade (NH) = From the Assessment Table, if the Numerical Grade = 71.4 then the Letter Grade obtained is B

• Quality Grade = From the Assessment Table, if the Letter Grade = B then the Quality Grade obtained is 3.0.

See Also: Understanding Credits, GPA, and the Grading System in College

Important Things Regarding the Assessment System in Higher Education

Assessment Percentage

The assessment percentage is usually used to determine the grade of each course taken. The assessment percentage itself consists of several components that vary depending on the policies of each campus, but in general they are almost the same. Here are approximately the assessment percentages that apply in most universities in Indonesia:

• Mid-Semester Exam (UAS): 30%

• Final Semester Exam (UAS): 40%

• Assignments and quizzes: 20%

• Attendance: 10%

• Total: 100%

Well, therefore, try your best to achieve high scores on each percentage. Especially for components that have the largest percentage, try to get the maximum score possible. Because the score for each course will be based on the assessment percentage which ultimately affects your grade point average (GPA) in each semester later.

Values ​​are converted into letters

The next important thing may be quite different from your grading system when you were in high school. Generally, the values ​​obtained at school will only be in the form of numbers, namely from 0 to 100 or quantitatively only.

Meanwhile, when you enter college, the values ​​will also be converted qualitatively in the form of letters with a certain range, for example:

• A = 80-100 = scale 4 (very good)

• B = 70-79 = scale 3 (good)

• C = 60-69 = scale 2 (sufficient)

• D = 50-59 = scale 1 (bad)

• E = 0-49 = scale 0 (very bad)

The range of values ​​itself can vary depending on campus policy. Generally, the passing grade is at a grade of C and if you have received a grade of D or E, you are certain to fail the course and must repeat it in the next semester.

Calculation of achievement index (IP)

Commonly abbreviated as IP, this achievement index is a combination of the average value of each course taken in one semester and is usually made on a scale of 0-4. For students who may still not know how to calculate this Achievement Index (IP). Well, you need to know that there are several components of the Achievement Index (IP) that form the formula for calculating the Achievement Index (IP), namely:

• Value of each course

• Credit/SKS (weight and load of each course)

• Quality (value * credit)

• IP = total quality/total SKS

• Note: SKS = Semester Credit Units

It should be noted that the Achievement Index (IP) and Semester Credit Units (SKS) influence each other. If the Achievement Index (IP) is good, then at the same time you will also be given a larger quota of Semester Credit Units (SKS) in the following semester.

Generally, the maximum quota of Semester Credit Units (SKS) is 24 SKS. If you complete your Semester Credit Unit (SKS) load more quickly, you will also finish your studies more quickly.