QAU Grading System & Academic Guide
Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), originally named Islamabad University, was established in July 1967 under an Act of the National Assembly. Located at the foot of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad, QAU is a federal public sector research university recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The university initially offered only PhD and MPhil programs before gradually expanding to Masters and undergraduate degrees. QAU operates 3 main faculties (Biological Sciences, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences) plus an affiliated Faculty of Medicine, attracting students from across Pakistan and internationally. It collaborates with UNESCO, IRSIP, and universities in Europe, South Asia, and the United States.
QAU GPA Calculator
The GPA calculator above uses the official Quaid-i-Azam University grading scales sourced directly from the QAU Examination Rules published on qau.edu.pk. QAU uses two entirely different grading systems depending on the program level: a 9-grade system with fixed grade points for BS undergraduate programs, and a 4-grade system with continuous grade point ranges for MPhil and MSc programs.
A critical point about QAU's BS grading: the grade point values are non-standard compared to other Pakistani universities. For example, A- carries 3.80 (not 3.67), B+ carries 3.50 (not 3.33), and B- carries 2.80 (not 2.67). Using the standard HEC grade points for QAU calculations will produce incorrect results.
QAU requires 80% attendance for eligibility to appear in terminal examinations. The Chairperson may grant a 10% relaxation for participation in university-nominated extracurricular activities or serious illness/family bereavement.
QAU CGPA Calculator
The CGPA calculator computes your cumulative grade point average across all semesters at QAU. Your CGPA determines academic standing, probation status, eligibility for the Honor Board (3.80 CGPA), and whether you qualify for the Chancellor's Medal or President's Gold Medal.
A unique QAU rule: if your CGPA drops below 1.00 at the end of any semester, you are immediately dropped from the university rolls with no probation period. This is stricter than most universities which start probation at CGPA below 2.00.
QAU calculates overall percentage using: Percentage = (Sum of Marks obtained in all courses / Sum of Total Marks of all courses) × 100. This is different from the standard HEC CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula.
QAU Grading System
Quaid-i-Azam University uses two distinctly different grading systems. The BS (undergraduate) programs follow a 9-grade system with fixed grade points, while the MPhil and MSc programs use a simplified 4-grade system with continuous grade point ranges calculated based on exact percentage marks.
QAU BS (Undergraduate) Grading Scale
The following table is sourced from the official Rules/Regulations relating to BS Program (Morning/Evening) published on the QAU Examinations Office website. Fractions in marks are rounded to the nearest whole number.
| Mark Range (%) | Letter Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00 |
Non-standard grade points: QAU's BS grade points differ significantly from the HEC standard. A- is 3.80 (not 3.67), B+ is 3.50 (not 3.33), B- is 2.80 (not 2.67), and C+ is 2.50 (not 2.33). There is no D+ grade. The jump from C (2.00) directly to D (1.00) means a single-grade drop from C to D costs a full 1.00 grade point. Most competitor sites display the standard HEC scale for QAU, which is incorrect.
No C- or D+ grades: QAU's BS scale has only 9 grades. The standard HEC 11-grade system includes C- (1.67) and D+ (1.33), which do not exist at QAU.
QAU MPhil/MSc Grading Scale
The MPhil and MSc programs at QAU use a fundamentally different grading approach with only 4 letter grades. Within each grade, the grade point is calculated proportionally based on the exact percentage marks. This system is sourced from the Regulations Relating to the Examinations for M.Phil Programme.
| Percentage Marks | Letter Grade | Grade Points | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 79.5% and above | A | 4.0 (fixed) | Excellent |
| 64.5 – 79.0% | B | 3.0 – 3.9 (continuous) | Very Good |
| 50.0 – 64.0% | C | 2.0 – 2.9 (continuous) | Good |
| Below 50% | F | 0.0 | Fail |
Continuous grade point calculation: Within grade B, a student scoring 64.5% receives 3.0 grade points, while a student scoring 79.0% receives 3.9 grade points. The grade point increases proportionally with every 0.5% increment in marks. Similarly, grade C ranges from 2.0 (at 50%) to 2.9 (at 64%). The official QAU examination rules include a detailed "ready reckoner" table showing the exact grade point for every half-percent increment. For example: 57% = GP 2.5, 69% = GP 3.2, 75.5% = GP 3.7.
MPhil minimum GPA: A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required at the end of each of the first two semesters. Failure to achieve 2.5 GPA in any semester means the student has failed that semester. A student who fails twice under this rule ceases to be a student of the university. Only one concession (second chance) is allowed during the entire MPhil program.
Assessment Weightage at QAU
| Assessment Component | BS Programs | MPhil Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal (End Semester) Examination | 50% | 50% |
| Mid-Semester Examination | 25 – 30% | Part of sessional |
| Assignments, Quizzes, Term Papers, Presentations, Lab Work | 20 – 25% | 50% (combined sessional) |
For BS laboratory courses or courses with extensive field work, 50% weightage is given to the terminal examination and the remaining 50% to continuous evaluation. The mid-semester examination is held by the end of the 8th week for BS programs.
How to Calculate GPA at QAU
GPA = Sum of (Grade Points × Credit Hours for each course) ÷ Sum of (Credit Hours for all courses in the semester)
One credit hour at QAU means 60 minutes of theory teaching per week for the entire semester. For laboratory courses, one credit hour requires 2 hours of lab work per week in the first four semesters, and 3 hours per week in later semesters.
GPA Calculation Example (BS Program)
| Course | Credit Hours | Marks (%) | Grade | Grade Points | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics I | 4 | 83% | A | 4.00 | 16.00 |
| Mathematics I | 3 | 77% | A- | 3.80 | 11.40 |
| English | 3 | 69% | B | 3.00 | 9.00 |
| Pakistan Studies | 2 | 62% | C+ | 2.50 | 5.00 |
| Islamic Studies | 2 | 73% | B+ | 3.50 | 7.00 |
Total quality points: 16.00 + 11.40 + 9.00 + 5.00 + 7.00 = 48.40
Total credit hours: 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 14
GPA: 48.40 ÷ 14 = 3.46
Note how A- at QAU gives 3.80 grade points instead of the 3.67 at most other universities. This means QAU students with A- grades have a slightly higher GPA than they would at HEC-standard universities for the same performance.
How to Calculate CGPA at QAU
CGPA = Sum of (Grade Points × Credit Hours for all courses in all semesters) ÷ Sum of (Credit Hours for all courses in all semesters)
QAU rounds CGPA to one decimal place for determining current student status, but the final CGPA at the end of studies is calculated using actual grade points and credit hours before rounding.
CGPA to Percentage Conversion
QAU uses a direct weighted percentage calculation rather than the standard HEC conversion formula:
QAU Formula: Overall Percentage = (Sum of Marks obtained in all courses ÷ Sum of Total Marks of all courses) × 100
This means QAU calculates percentage directly from marks, not by converting CGPA. The transcript shows both CGPA and the weighted percentage.
| CGPA | Academic Standing |
|---|---|
| 4.00 | Highest Distinction |
| 3.80+ | Honor Board / Medal Eligible |
| 3.00 | Good Standing |
| 2.00 | Minimum for BS Graduation |
| 1.00 – 1.99 | Probation |
| Below 1.00 | Immediately dropped from university rolls |
Academic Standing and Probation at QAU
QAU has one of the strictest academic standing systems among Pakistani universities, with an immediate drop threshold at CGPA 1.00.
| Condition | Consequence (BS Programs) |
|---|---|
| CGPA below 1.00 at end of any semester | Immediately dropped from university rolls. No probation, no warning. For first-semester students, the semester GPA is used. |
| CGPA between 1.00 and 1.99 | Placed on probation. Maximum 3 probation chances during the entire BS program. |
| 4th probation (CGPA still below 2.00) | Ceases to be a student. May apply for BA/BSc pass degree if 62+ credit hours completed with CGPA 1.0+. |
| Cannot complete BS within 12 semesters (6 years) | Ceases to be a student. |
MPhil probation: MPhil students must achieve GPA 2.50 at the end of each of the first two semesters. Failure in any semester under this rule allows only one concession (second chance) during the entire MPhil program. A second failure results in ceasing to be a student. The MPhil program must be completed within 6 semesters maximum (normal: 4 semesters).
BA/BSc Pass Degree option: A unique QAU provision allows students who are being dropped due to low CGPA to obtain a BA/BSc pass degree if they have completed at least 62 credit hours with a CGPA of at least 1.00. This provides a safety net for students who cannot complete the full BS requirements.
Grade Improvement and Summer Sessions at QAU
Summer sessions: QAU departments may offer summer sessions of 6-8 weeks during semester breaks. Sixteen contact hours per credit hour are required with a maximum of 8 contact hours per course per week.
Improvement limit: Students who obtained D or C grades can repeat courses to improve their CGPA. However, grade improvement is limited to a maximum of 4 courses during the entire BS program. If the student fails to improve marks in a course, the original marks remain unchanged.
Summer registration: Students can register for up to 2 courses per summer session. Only students who have failed or were unable to register a course in the two semesters immediately prior to the summer session are allowed to register. Summer sessions are not counted as semesters.
No re-evaluation: QAU does not allow re-evaluation of answer books. Only rechecking for totaling errors and verification that all questions have been fully marked is permitted, within one month of result declaration.
Semester System and Credit Hours at QAU
QAU operates a semester system with each regular semester spanning 18 weeks (16 weeks teaching + 2 weeks examination). The BS program is 4 years (8 semesters) with a maximum of 12 semesters (6 years) to complete. Students register for 15-18 credit hours per semester, with a minimum of 12 and maximum of 21 credit hours allowed with Dean approval.
Semester freezing is allowed for a maximum of 2 semesters during the entire program (first semester freeze not allowed except for medical emergencies). Applications must be submitted within 45 days of class commencement. The university deducts 25% of tuition fee and refunds 75% for frozen semesters. Frozen semesters count toward the maximum 6-year degree completion period.
Faculties at Quaid-i-Azam University
| Faculty | Key Departments |
|---|---|
| Faculty of Natural Sciences | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Earth Sciences, Electronics |
| Faculty of Biological Sciences | Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, Microbiology |
| Faculty of Social Sciences | Economics, History, International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Defense & Strategic Studies |
| Faculty of Medicine (Affiliated) | Pharmacy (Pharm-D), Biomedical Sciences, School of Public Health |
