CWA vs GWA in the Philippines: Key Differences & Guide
The difference between CWA and GWA lies in scope. GWA (General Weighted Average) includes all subjects you’ve taken, while CWA (Curriculum Weighted Average) counts only curriculum-required courses. In the Philippines, schools often use GWA for honors and scholarships, while CWA is used for shifting programs and graduation requirements.
If you’re a student in the Philippines, you’ve probably heard of both GWA (General Weighted Average) and CWA (Curriculum Weighted Average). Many students get confused: “Are they the same? Which one matters for shifting courses, scholarships, or honors?”
- GWA is the average of all your subjects, including electives and non-curriculum courses.
- CWA is the average of only the subjects required in your curriculum.
Both are important, but they are used differently depending on your academic goals. Let’s break it down step by step.
What is GWA? (General Weighted Average)
The GWA is the overall average of your grades, including all courses you’ve taken — even those not directly part of your program.
Formula:
\[\text{GWA} = \frac{\sum ( \text{grade} \times \text{units} )}{\sum (\text{units})}\]Example:
If you took Math (3 units, grade 1.75), PE (2 units, grade 2.0), and Science (4 units, grade 2.25):
\[ \text{GWA} = \frac{(1.75 \times 3) + (2.0 \times 2) + (2.25 \times 4)}{3 + 2 + 4} = 2.02 \]Key Point: GWA is like your overall academic performance. Schools may use it for honors, scholarships, and academic standing.
What is CWA? (Curriculum Weighted Average)
The CWA includes only the subjects required in your curriculum. This means extra electives or PE classes not listed in your program may be excluded.
Formula:
Same as GWA, but only curriculum subjects are included.
Use Cases:
- Shifting Programs: Universities (like UP) often check your CWA when applying to shift courses, since it reflects only your required curriculum courses.
- Graduation Requirements: Some institutions require a minimum CWA for program completion.
Example:
Using the earlier case, if PE is not part of your curriculum, your CWA would only compute Math + Science.
CWA vs GWA: Quick Comparison
|
Aspect |
GWA |
CWA |
|---|---|---|
|
Meaning |
All subjects, including electives |
Only curriculum-required subjects |
|
Formula |
(Grades × Units) ÷ Total Units |
Same, but excludes non-curriculum courses |
|
Purpose |
Overall performance |
Curriculum-specific performance |
|
Used for |
Scholarships, honors, academic standing |
Shifting programs, graduation requirements |
|
Example |
Includes PE, NSTP, electives |
Excludes PE, NSTP, electives |
Why Do They Matter for Students?
- For shifting courses: Universities often rely on CWA since it shows how well you’re doing in your program’s core subjects.
- For honors & scholarships: Schools usually consider GWA to evaluate overall performance.
- For motivation: Tracking both can help you understand your standing better.
- High GWA but low CWA? You’re doing well overall but might need to focus on your major subjects.
- High CWA but lower GWA? Your major subjects are strong — electives may be pulling your average down.
A student on Reddit summed it up simply:
“GWA is all your classes. CWA is only the classes included in your curriculum.”
FAQs About CWA vs GWA
Which is more important, GWA or CWA?
Both are important — but CWA is more important for shifting courses, while GWA matters more for honors and scholarships.
Does PE or NSTP count in GWA or CWA?
In GWA: Yes, all subjects are counted.
In CWA: Usually excluded unless they are in your curriculum.
How can I easily compute CWA and GWA?
You can manually apply the formula, but the easiest way is to use a GWA Calculator that allows CWA computation as well.
Do all schools in the Philippines use both CWA and GWA?
Not always. Some universities only use GWA, while schools like UP officially use CWA for shifting and admissions purposes.
Understanding the difference between CWA and GWA can save you confusion, especially when shifting courses, applying for scholarships, or aiming for honors.
- GWA = overall performance
- CWA = curriculum-based performance
Want to compute your CWA and GWA instantly?
Use our free GWA Calculator Philippines to avoid manual math and track your academic standing with ease.
