SMU Grading System in Singapore
Singapore Management University (SMU) is a global top-ranking business and technology higher learning institution. It’s ranked 4th globally in software engineering and 21st among specialist universities. Learn everything you need to know about the SMU grading system, including how grades are calculated, grade points, and other key components.
Are you eyeing the Singapore Management University for your tertiary education? Maybe you are already enrolled and want to learn everything there is to know about the institution’s grading system. Whatever your situation, this SMU grading system review will help you understand how the school works, what you need to do to achieve your desired CGPA, and what to watch out for.
With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions, plan your study schedules, set academic goals and so much more. Read to the end to learn what factors affect your grades and what you need to navigate your academic journey at SMU.
What is the SMU Grading System?
Universities use different grading systems to measure the performance of their students. The difference is necessary because the modes of teaching and types of courses offered vary from one institution to another.
As such each university has to develop a unique grading system that’s appropriate for its set of students. The SMU grading system is based on a GPA scale that uses numerical grades, percentages, and letters to represent a student’s academic performance. This grading system includes three primary components:
- Grade Points ranging from 0 to 4.5
- Letter Grades to denote the quality of performance from (A+) excellent to (F)fail
- Percentages to show the mark range
Below is a tabular representation of the SMU grading system (Grading Scale):
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage (%) |
| A++ | 4.5 | 90 and above |
| A+ | 4.3 | 86 and 89 |
| A | 4.0 | 83-85 |
| A- | 3.7 | 80-82 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 77-79 |
| B | 3.0 | 74-76 |
| B- | 2.7 | 70-73 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 66-69 |
| C | 2.0 | 63-65 |
| C- | 1.7 | 60-62 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 53-59 |
| D | 1.0 | 50-22 |
| D- | 0 | 49 and below |
Note: If the CGPA is higher than the 4.5-point grade scale, the SMU grading system rounds it down. The round-down protects the integrity of the Grade Point Average (GPA) system because maintaining it at 4.5 ensures the assessment of academic performance is fair and accurate.
How Grades Are Calculated in SMU Grading System
Your GPA at SMU depends on several aspects, including the grade points for each course and credit units (CUs).
Credit Units (CUs) are the instructional hours per week. They include lecture sessions, group discussions, and lab periods.
Why are credit units important for your GPA?
The more credit units a course has, the more weight it carries and the bigger the impact on your GPA. To calculate the GPA, the SMU multiplies your grade points with the credit units for each course. They then sum the total number for all the courses, and this number is divided by the total number of credits.
Therefore, GPA= {(grade points x credit units)} / total credit units
Assuming you took three courses in total. Below are the grade points and credit units for each of the three courses:
Course Grade Points Credit Units
1 A (4.00) 3
2 B (3.00) 5
3 B- (2.70) 4
Your GPA will be {(4.00×3) + (3.00×5) + (2.70×4)} /12
GPA= 3.15~3.2
When we look at the grade scale, you fall between a B and a B+. Most likely, they will round it down to 3.0, which is a B. Your GPA will be a B.
TGPA Vs. CGPA in the SMU Grading System
SMU calculates both Term GPA (TGPA) and Cumulative GPA (CGPA) to measure your performance and academic progress. TGPA is the average GPA for a single term or semester. SMU calculates your TGPA by averaging the total grades for all the courses taken in a particular term or semester. CGPA is the sum of all your TGPAs, reached by calculating the weighted sum of all the grades scored in all the terms you’ve covered so far. In fact, your CGPA is updated at the end of each term to show your academic progress. Your CGPA is the key to determining your honors classification during graduation. SMU’s honors classification includes:
| Honors Classification | CGPA |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.80+ |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.60-3.79 |
| Cum Laude | 3.40-3.59 |
| High Merit | 3.20-3.39 |
| Merit | 3.00-3.19 |
The minimum CGPA required to graduate from SMU is 2.5. If at any point during your academic journey, your GPA falls below this limit, you will be given a warning. If the GPA remains below 2.5 for two consecutive terms, you’ll be given academic probation.
Your CGPA is important because it determines what kind of internships you get, career opportunities, scholarships, and whether you can proceed to graduate programs like Masters and Ph.D.
SMU Grading Criteria
SMU considers a number of aspects to measure your academic ability, strengths, and weaknesses. Below are the various factors influencing the SMU grading system:
- Active involvement in class (10-20%)– Professors will award students grades based on their class participation, including asking and answering questions, collaborating with fellow students, and being present in discussions.
- Assignments (30-50%)– assignments gauge your understanding of the course and ability to apply analytical skills to solve practical problems. These include essays, term papers, midterms, and continuous assessment tests (CATs).
- Projects (30-40%) – These could be personal projects like research papers and dissertations or group projects like presentations and case studies.
- Final Exams (30-40%)– final exams test your understanding of the course at the end of your academic journey as well as critical thinking skills and practical applications of learned concepts.
How to Get a High GPA in the SMU Grading System
Follow these tips and tricks to maintain a high GPA:
Be Active in Class
As we noted earlier, class participation gives you an upper hand in the SMU grading system. Attend your classes religiously, ask and answer questions, and participate in class discussions. In a nutshell, be a present learner.
Study
SMU is a top-ranking university and so are its degree programs and courses. You can’t secure a place in such a competitive institution and fail to prioritize your studies. Attend lectures, spend time in the library, and set your study goals to keep you accountable.
Be a Team Player
Please don’t shy away from group projects. First, participating in group projects earns your marks in the SMU grading system. Secondly, being a team player will help you make study partners who could help you understand subjects and units they perform better than you.
Seek Academic Assistance
Regardless of the level of education, you can always use academic help on complex units and assignments. When stuck, seek assistance from peers who understand these units or topics better than you. You can also consult your lecturer, teaching assistant, and other experts in your department.
Alternatively, you can avoid the hassle that comes with burdening your peers and professors by hiring an online tutor. Homework Market is home to hundreds of experts in various courses and subjects taught at SMU. Whether it’s a business unit, software engineering, or finance assignment, we are here for you.
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