GPA for PNG Universities Student Information

The ‘GPA for PNG universities’ is a compilation of information for parents and students – a general guide to Grade Point Average for Grade 12 and university students. The posts receive overwhelming views that is why I decided to compile them for easy reading. The posts originally appeared on PNG Insight Blogspot. Check out the Table of Contents for a specific topic relating to the GPA for PNG universities.

Calculate Grade 12 GPA

Grade Point Average (GPA) is the measure of students’ grades against the Grade Point System. University GPA calculation uses a different formula to the formula used for finding Grade 12 GPA.

This part aims to provide information on Grade 12 GPA for PNG universities and other tertiary institutions in the country. The calculation focuses on the 5 subjects students take at upper secondary schools.

The Grade 12 GPA calculation for PNG universities below relates to the annual exam results. In fact, the Grade 12 students should study for a minimum of 5 exams per subject at the upper secondary school. The Measurement Services Division recommends that 5 subjects are mandatory for certification. Four or fewer subjects can result in non-certification and disqualification from the DHERST selections.

Take, for instance, a student’s subject combination is Language and Literature, Mathematics A, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics at Grade 12 in a particular year. The certified grades from the student’s subject combination were as follow:

1. Language and Literature = A
2. Mathematics A = B
3. Physics = C
4. Chemistry = D
5. Economics = E

This student’s GPA is 2.

Here is how the calculation was done based on the Grade 12 examination results A – F and Grade Point between 4 and 0, respectively.

GPA for PNG Universities Selection

Do you think a tertiary institution selector will select this student? The dilemma this Grade 12 student faces is twofold. He has a GPA of 2.0 which is above the minimum threshold. Yet he may not be selected because his grades in Chemistry and Economics are very low. This student will be put in the reserve pool until space becomes available.

In the above example, PNG Insight shows how a C or D grade in a Grade 12 subject can seriously jeopardise a student’s chance of entering a university in Papua New Guinea.

This student can take two possible options. The first option is to upgrade the Chemistry and Economics marks. The second option is to self-sponsor. Both options will cost money. Prepare to spend some money on interventions like this.

Why you should know the University GPA

I thought it would be a good idea to disseminate this information to students at this time of the year. Your grades are awarded a number from 0.0 (FAIL) to 4.0 (A). Calculating Grade Point Average (GPA) is dividing the product of grade points and credit points by the total credit Points.

It sounds complicated but in fact, it is straight forward if you have your transcript ready. You can either use online calculators or use the formula to work out your GPA. I prefer to use the formula for calculating GPA on Excel spreadsheet.

If you need help, let me know on Twitter or leave a message below.

GPA Uni Entry, Scholarship or Work

Here are three stand-out reasons why you should know the university GPA. If you are looking for a job, it is useful to know your GPA; If you are applying for a scholarship, many overseas institutions will ask for your GPA; and continuing students should be mindful to stay above a GPA of 2.0. In some cases, 2.25.

These are magic numbers! Fall below the 2.0 threshold at any PNG university and you are out, or your parent self-sponsor you.

The government scholarships TESAS (Tertiary Education School Assistance Scheme) recommends a GPA of 2.0 or higher. UNITECH has raised entry GPA to 2.25. The GPA seems to have increased over the years as the number of Grade 12 and undergraduate students increases each year.

Note: Each program of study may have its own GPA requirement. Always check with a university before applying for a program of your interest.

That means that universities are not places for students scoring a GPA below 2. Questions should be asked as to how they get their foot in if they had.

TESAS Info for Students

The government scholarship, TESAS, is coordinated by DHERST ( the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology). TESAS has two categories. HECAS (the Higher Education Contribution Assistant Scheme) and AES (the Academic Excellence Scholarship Scheme).

If you are an academically bright student, you could qualify for AES. For the first-year students, a GPA of 3.6 makes you the right candidate for the AES award. That means that any grade 12 student with straight As is a candidate for AES. As for the continuing undergraduate students, a 3.7 is the requirement for the AES category.

Grade 12 Guide to TESAS

You were a Grade 12 student. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is above 2.00. Yet you were not selected to continue higher education. Potentially, you can enter a tertiary institution in the country.

I do not want to raise your hopes too high. If you have a GPA below 2.00 you will find it very hard to enter a tertiary institution.

In fact, many students tried and were fortunate to enter universities and colleges in the country. You can also do the same to secure not only space but also a government scholarship.

How to apply for TESAS Non-school Leavers

Research the program of your choice thoroughly. The students’ services and administration officers will provide the necessary help. Start with the answers to the following questions before completing and submitting the application form.

1. What is the minimum GPA requirement? This question helps you identify whether you are a hot, warm or cold applicant.
2. How many spaces are available? Knowing the number of intakes every year gives the applicant a picture of the space there are. According to the 12 Grade stats, five students are applying for every space available under government scholarships.
3. When is the closing date for submission? Getting the time right is important too. Your application must not be too early nor too late.
4. What to do when you’ve made a submission? Always follow up with the Students Services or Administration for updates.
5. What if you are not selected having applied? Do not stop there. If you have done the first three steps properly (and are convinced you are the likely candidate), visit the institution and ask why your application was rejected. Get answers to the 5 questions before the start of the academic year.

Apply for TESAS after admission

Make every effort to secure a government scholarship for the program on successful application. It is competitive to secure HECAS (Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme) scholarship, especially if you are not a recent Grade 12 school leaver.

Apply for admission to the program of study, first. After the admission, apply for TESAS. In other words, when the door opens, get in, do well and apply for the second-year scholarship. Make no mistake, you must perform well and maintain a GPA above 2.0 in the first year.

Importantly, on successful completion of semester one ask your lecturers, Admin and Student Services staff for help with completing an application for securing HECAS. Complete the application form for tertiary student’s scholarship offered by the PNG government and submit the application around May/June to the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) in Port Moresby.

Always follow up immediately and on regular basis to find out about your applications.

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