GPA stands for grade point average. This is the accumulation of your grades and is what goes on your university transcripts. Universities give GPA’s based on a 4.0 scale. (For a more detailed look on how the GPA is calculated visit our blog post on this)
A cumulative GPA is the grade point average of all of the classes that you have taken.
Your GPA is important because in some cases it can affect the classes that you can take. To take some classes or to get into a certain college after your freshman year, there is a required minimum GPA. Your GPA can also determine if you graduate with honors when receiving your degree.