Academics

FAST NU Grading System 2026: SGPA & CGPA Rules

FAST's grading system can feel confusing at first because your final result is not based entirely on one big exam. Quizzes, assignments, sessionals, labs, and projects are tracked non-stop. This page explains how your final grades are computed, how course repeats work, and how the honours lists are decided.

How Your Courses Are Assessed

Your performance is tracked continuously throughout the semester. A clear course outline detailing the syllabus topics and exact grading criteria is shared by your teacher during the very first week of classes.

Semester Sessional Work

Accounts for exactly 50% of your total course grade, calculated through your midterm exams, assignments, quizzes, and class projects.

Final Examination

Accounts for the remaining 50% of your course grade, evaluated via a comprehensive exam paper at the end of the semester.

The Outline Rules

The official layout document given on day one ensures complete transparency for all grading weights and assignments.

Senior Tip — The "Absolutes" Margin: Do not make the mistake of waiting for finals to catch up. In campus terms, your daily marks are called "Absolutes." Seniors warn that shifting your grade from a B to a B+, or simply passing vs. failing a course, frequently hinges on just 2 to 3 absolute marks collected from short quizzes or homework tasks early in the semester. Keep your daily score high.

Program-Specific Letter Grades & Grade Points

Letter grades convert directly into specific numeric grade points. The passing boundaries change completely depending on whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral candidate:

1. Undergraduate Level (BS / BBA)

GradePointsGradePointsGradePointsGradePoints
A+4.00B+3.33C+2.33D+1.33
A4.00B3.00C2.00D1.00
A-3.67B-2.67C-1.67F0.00

2. Graduate Level (MS / MBA)

MS and MBA tracks feature no D-tier grades. The absolute minimum grade to pass any subject is a C (2.00). An F grade uniquely carries 1.00 numeric point:

GradePointsGradePointsGradePointsGradePoints
A+4.00A-3.67B3.00C2.00
A4.00B+3.33B-2.67F1.00

3. Doctoral Level (PhD)

PhD tracks feature no C or D tier grades. The minimum acceptable grade to pass a PhD-level course is a B- (2.67):

GradePointsGradePointsGradePointsGradePoints
A+4.00A-3.67B3.00F0.00
A4.00B+3.33B-2.67

Special System Status Grades

FAST utilizes specific administrative grade codes for non-standard results or ongoing research checks across campus dashboards:

Grade Code Official Meaning Immediate GPA Impact
FA Fail due to attendance shortage (below 80% boundary) Counts as an unappealable 0.00 points in your averages
I Incomplete coursework tracking Temporarily excluded from GPA. Automatically converts to a permanent F next semester if missing components are not cleared.
W Withdrawn course status Completely excluded from all GPA calculations
CN Continue Research (MS/PhD Graduate level only) Allowed exactly once in MS Thesis-II and within specific PhD thesis review cycles.
S / U Satisfactory / Unsatisfactory (PhD level only) Applied strictly to formal PhD dissertation reviews; has no numeric impact on GPA.

SGPA vs CGPA Mechanics & Credit Hour Weights

Your GPA averages depend heavily on credit hour sizes. Both metrics calculate weighted averages where individual course credit values act as your score multipliers:

  • SGPA (Semester Grade Point Average): Calculated by taking the sum of your earned grade points multiplied by each course's credit hours, divided by the total credit hours registered during that single semester block.
  • CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average): Calculated by taking the sum of your earned grade points multiplied by each course's credit hours for every course attempted across all semesters, divided by the total credit hours attempted across your entire degree timeline. Expressed as a formula: CGPA = (Σ grade points × credit hours for every course attempted across all semesters) ÷ (total credit hours attempted).
The Credit Weight Principle: Because averages are credit-weighted, a heavy 4-credit-hour subject (like a core computing theory class paired with its mandatory lab, a 3+1 structure) has double the mathematical impact on your SGPA/CGPA compared to a light 2-credit-hour Humanities elective. Protect your core engineering subjects.

How Course Repeats Affect Your CGPA

When a student repeats a course for grade improvement or remedial recovery, the university system applies a strict replacement rule:

CRITICAL REPEAT WARNING — The Replacement Mandate: Only the grade points from your most recent attempt are used to calculate your cumulative CGPA. The system logs your latest score even if your repeated attempt yields a lower grade than your original attempt. Furthermore, every single repeat attempt forces you to pay the full tuition cost of Rs. 12,000 per credit hour out of pocket.
The Masters Abroad CGPA Trap: Seniors warn that while avoiding a course failure loop keeps you safe on campus, you must keep long-term career goals in view. Foreign university Master's programs routinely utilize automated screening software to instantly filter out applicants sitting below a 3.0 CGPA boundary. If you intend to study abroad, a 3.0 is the single most important milestone to maintain.

How to get on the FAST Dean's List

The university publicly rewards exceptional academic semesters. To qualify for either honors tracking registry, you must complete the semester while carrying a full-time, standard student course load layout:

Dean's List of Honors

Requires earning an isolated semester SGPA between 3.50 and 3.99. Secures formal certificate awards and public placement on campus honor notice panels.

Rector's List of Honours

Requires securing a perfect, flawless semester SGPA of 4.00. Awards a specialized honors certificate from the rector alongside permanent registry tracking.

Fresh Start Strategy

Because honors check your SGPA in isolation, a single high-performance semester can earn you a spot on the Dean's list even if your total CGPA is recovering from a rough freshman year.

Quick Summary

FAST grades courses through a 50/50 split matching continuous sessional marks against a final exam paper. Points convert to standard letter grades across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels, alongside administrative system handles like FA or W.

Averages use a credit-weighted calculation model. When repeating a course for improvement, your latest attempt entirely overrides earlier points in your CGPA calculation, and superior individual semester records are celebrated through the Dean's and Rector's lists.