Key takeaways
- UMaT uses a CWA system based on percentage scores and credit hours.
- To calculate your CWA, multiply each course mark by its credit, add all weighted marks, and divide by the total credits.
- A high CWA helps with scholarships, graduation, and job or postgraduate opportunities.
Understanding the CWA grading system in UMaT puts you in control of your results. We explain what CWA is, how it’s calculated, and why it matters for your academic and career journey.
What is the UMaT CWA system?
At UMaT, your overall performance is evaluated using the Cumulative Weighted Average (CWA). Unlike GPA systems that use grade points, CWA uses actual percentage marks, weighted by credit hours of each course.
The CWA at UMaT operates on a credit weighting system. Each course contributes to your CWA according to its credit value. To calculate the weighted mark for a course, simply multiply your raw score (out of 100) by the course’s credit hours.
What makes up your final course score?
Each course grade at UMaT is made up of three main components:
- The continuous assessment (30%): This includes assignments, quizzes, laboratory work, fieldwork, and seminars.
- Class Attendance (10%): Attendance is mandatory. Missing more than 30% of your lectures disqualifies you from writing the end-of-semester exam.
- End-of-Semester Examination (60%): This is the final exam covering the full course content and carries the most weight.
You are considered to have failed a course (grade F) if your final mark is below 50% or you miss the exam without a valid excuse. In UMaT, a course is said to be trailed when a student receives a grade of F or an incomplete grade, such as:
- I – Missed the exam due to a documented medical reason.
- I* – Missed the exam for other approved reasons.
- I# – Did not assess the course lecturer.
UMaT grading scale and degree classification
The university employs a letter grading system with corresponding percentage ranges to evaluate student performance. The grading scale is as follows:
| Raw Score (%) | Letter Grade | Interpretation |
| 80 – 100 | A | Excellent |
| 70 – 79 | B | Very Good |
| 60 – 69 | C | Good |
| 50 – 59 | D | Pass |
| 0 – 49 | F | Fail |
| I or (I*) or (I#) | Incomplete |
Final degree classifications at UMaT are based on CWA. For undergraduate programs, the classifications are as follows:
| CWA range | Classification |
| 80 – 100 | First Class |
| 70 – 79.99 | Second Class (Upper) |
| 60 – 69.99 | Second Class (Lower) |
| 50 – 59.99 | Third Class |
| Below 50 | Fail |
For diploma or certificate programs, the classification is slightly different:
| CWA | Award |
| 80 – 100 | Distinction |
| 50 – 79.99 | Pass |
How to calculate your SWA and CWA at UMaT?
To calculate your semester weighted average (SWA) in UMaT, follow the steps below:
- Multiply each course mark by its credit hours to get the weighted mark for that course.
- Add all the weighted marks to get the total weighted marks for the semester.
- Divide total weighted marks by total credit hours to get the SWA.
SWA = Total weighted marks ÷ Total credit hours
Example calculation
Let’s go through an example using Sandra’s results from her first year at UMaT. In Semester 1, her course records are as follows:
| Course No. | Credits | Marks (%) | Grade |
| Applied Electricity | 3 | 90 | A |
| Communication Skills I | 2 | 80 | A |
| Basic Mechanics | 3 | 85 | A |
| Linear Algebra and Trigonometry | 2 | 79 | B |
| Technical Drawing | 3 | 57 | D |
To calculate her SWA, we’ll first multiply each score by its credit hours to get the weighted marks:
| Course | Mark × Weight | Weighted Marks |
| Applied Electricity | 3 × 90 | 270 |
| Communication Skills I | 2 × 80 | 160 |
| Basic Mechanics | 3 × 85 | 255 |
| Linear Algebra and Trigonometry | 2 × 79 | 158 |
| Technical Drawing | 3 × 57 | 171 |
Sandra’s total weighted marks are 1014 (270 + 160 + 255 + 158 + 171), and her total credit hours are 13 (3 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 3).
We’ll now divide the total weighted marks by the total credit hours to get her SWA (i.e., 1014 ÷ 13 = 78)
Sandra’s SWA is therefore 78
To calculate his CWA, we’ll again assume he had the following results for Semester 2:
| Course | Credits | Marks (%) | Grade |
| Applied Electronics | 2 | 80 | A |
| Introduction to the Oil and Gas Industry | 3 | 83 | A |
| Communication Skills II | 3 | 78 | B |
| Petroleum Geology | 2 | 88 | A |
| Calculus | 3 | 67 | C |
| Engineering Drawing | 2 | 69 | C |
Following the same process for Semester 1, Sandra’s weighted marks for Semester 2 are 1158, and her total credit hours are 15. Thus:
SWA for semester 2: 1158 ÷ 15 = 77.2.
Now that we have her SWAs from both semesters, let’s calculate her CWA.
We’ll first add the total weighted marks and the total credit hours from both semesters to get the total cumulative weighted marks and cumulative credits:
Total Cumulative Weighted Marks: 1014 + 1158 = 2172 Total Cumulative Credits: 13 + 15 = 28
We’ll then divide the total cumulative weighted marks by the total cumulative credits (2172 ÷ 28 = 77.57)
Sandra’s overall CWA is 77.57, placing her in the Second Class Upper Division
Why does your CWA matter?
Your CWA at UMaT plays a critical role in shaping your academic and professional future. Here is why it matters:
- Many scholarships on campus require high CWA scores, typically at least 75% for merit-based awards and 60% for need-based aid. A strong CWA qualifies you for post-graduate scholarships.
- High-achieving students with CWAs above 80% may also qualify for honours such as the Newmont Excellence Award.
- Employers, graduate programmes, and internship committees often consider CWA to identify standout candidates.
- Graduation from UMaT also hinges on meeting CWA requirements. To earn an undergraduate degree or diploma, you must complete all required credit hours, a final-year project, and maintain a minimum CWA of 50%.
FAQs
How do I convert my UMaT CWA to a US-style GPA?
To convert your CWA to a US GPA, use our CWA to GPA calculator and select the International Standard for the grading system. For official purposes, use WES to evaluate your transcript and provide a verified US-equivalent GPA.
Does retaking a course improve my CWA?
Not directly. When you retake a course, both the original and resit marks remain on your transcript and are included in your CWA calculation, along with their credit hours. To improve your CWA, the new mark needs to be significantly higher to outweigh the effect of the first.
Final thoughts
Your CWA is a reflection of your effort and a key to the opportunities ahead.
It impacts your chances of graduating and securing scholarships and job opportunities. Understand how it’s calculated, track it regularly, and use the right tools to stay on top of it.
Have any questions? Please share them in the comments below.
