Explained: Polytechnic Grading System in Nigeria

How are Polytechnic Students Graded?

The table below depicts how polytechnic students are graded:

Score (In percentage)	Grade
100-75	A
74-70	AB
69-65	B
64-60	BC
59-55	C
54-50	CD
49-45	D
44-40	E
39-0	F

The following are ways Diplomas are classified:

50 & above- Distinction

00 – 3.49. -Upper Credit

50 – 2.99. – Lower Credit

00 – 2.49. – Pass

GPA System for Polytechnic Students

The table below shows the GPA system for polytechnic students:

Score (in percentage)	Grade	Grade Point	Final CGPA	Class of Degrees
100-80	A	4.00	3.50 – 4.00	Distinction
79-70	AB	3.50	3.00 – 3.49	Upper Credit
60-69	B	3.00	2.50 – 2.99	Lower Credit
59-50	BC	2.50	2.00 – 2.49	Pass
49-40	C	2.00	0.00 – 1.99	Fail

How to Calculate GPA for First Semester ND 1

Let’s assume you offer the courses (listed below) and obtain grades as depicted in the table. The GPA can be calculated thus:

Course Code	Credit Unit	Grade	Grade Points	Quality Points (CU X GP)	Total Points
GSP 101	3	A	4.00	2 X 4.00	8.00
GSP 105	2	B	3.00	2 X 3.00	6.00
GSP 111	2	C	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
GSP 201	2	C	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
COS 101	2	AB	3.50	2 X 3.50	7.00
STA 131	2	B	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
MTH 221	2	BC	2.50	2 X 2.50	5.00
TOTAL CREDIT UNITS	15				38

To calculate the first semester OND 1, use the following formula:

GPA = Total Points/ Total Credit Units =38/15 = 2.5

The first semester GPA is, therefore 2.5

How to Calculate GPA for Second Semester ND 1

Let’s assume you offer the courses (listed below) and obtain grades as depicted in the table. The GPA can be calculated thus:

Course Code	Credit Unit	Grade	Grade Points	Quality Points (CU X GP)	Total Points
GLG 142	2	AB	3.50	2 X 3.50	7.00
GSP 208	2	B	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
GSP 202	2	C	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
PHY 196	3	C	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
GSP 106	2	BC	2.50	2 X 2.50	5.00
CHM 112	2	B	2.00	2 X 2.00	4.00
GSP 106	3	B	3.00	2 X 3.00	6.00
TOTAL CREDIT UNITS	16				34

To calculate the second semester OND 1, use the following formula:

GPA = Total Points/ Total Credit Units =34/16 = 2.1

The second semester GPA is, therefore 2.1

To calculate the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for National Diploma (ND) 1, add the GPA of the first and second semesters and divide by 2 (the number of semesters). This is calculated to obtain the average.

The calculation goes thus:

OND 1 CGPA = (First Semester ND 1 GPA + Second Semester ND 1 GPA) / 2 = (2.5 + 2.1) / 2

CGPA = 4.6 / 2 = 2.3

Explanation of each Grade Level in a Polytechnic Setting

3.50 – 4.00 CGPA attracts a ‘Distinction’ class of degree. This is synonymous to a First Class degree in a Nigerian university.

Upper Credit class of degree is awarded to a student with 3.00 – 3.49 CGPA. This is synonymous with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in Nigerian universities.

2.0 – 2.00 CGPA attracts a ‘Lower Credit’ degree. This is synonymous with a ‘Second Class Honours’ (Lower Division) in Nigerian universities.

The same explanation goes for the ‘Pass’ and ‘Fail’ classes of degrees.