Canada Grading System: The Simplified Guide

International students in Canada receive a top-notch education at any postsecondary institution that is a member of Universities Canada thanks to their high academic standards and strict quality control. Canadian universities use a new grading approach, making the Canadian education system exceptional in its field and relevant to the demand for a good education and a promising employment market.

Each of Canada's ten provinces has its own unique grading system, which is used across all ten provinces. The lowest mark for satisfying requirements is a "C" in schools in the two provinces of British Columbia and Quebec, which do not carry the grade “D." Canada's grading system and educational system are distinctive and show various routes to success for students.

Canada’s education system awards grades as follows:

Alberta

The well-known University of Alberta, MacEwan University, The King's University, Concordia of Edmonton, University of Calgary, Ambrose University, Mount Royal University, St. Mary's University, and Burman University are all located in the province of Alberta. All of these institutions use the same academic grading system.

The grading system in Alberta is based on a scale of 0 to 100, with a minimum passing grade of 50%.

British Columbia

The grading scale used by post-secondary schools in British Columbia typically ranges from 0% to 100%. A student's grade point average (GPA) is normally determined by the grade point value that corresponds to each grade.

Quebec

In Quebec, grades are often placed on a scale of 0 to 100, with 60 as the minimum passing mark. However, a letter grade or a GPA system may be used in some colleges and universities.

Students earn numerical grades for each course they take in college and university, often on a scale from 0 to 100. A letter grade or a GPA is then created from these grades. While the GPA system calculates an average based on the student's grades in all their courses, the letter grade system is comparable to the one used in elementary and secondary schools. It assigns a numerical value to each letter grade ( A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.).

Ontario

Ontario is home to top universities such as the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Western University, McMaster University, York University and more. In Ontario, the grading system for post-secondary institutions is also based on a percentage scale from 0% to 100%.

Nova Scotia

Top universities including Dalhousie University, Acadia University, and Cape Breton University are located in Nova Scotia. The grading system in Nova Scotia also uses a percentage range from 0% to 100%.

Manitoba

In Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, Brandon University, and University of Manitoba all grade assignments on a scale of 0% to 100%.

GPA Requirements to Study in Canada

Undergraduate students typically need a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0, whereas graduate students need a GPA of 2.7 (B-).

Here are some of the top universities in Canada and their GPA requirements:

Canadian Grading System Compared to US Grading System

The grading system in Canada is based on a percentage system, with a score of 90-100% being equivalent to an A, 80-89% to a B, 70-79% to a C, 60-69% to a D, and anything below 60% to an F. The letter grade system is the most widely used grading scale in the United States, while there are other options. A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), and F (below 60%) make up a conventional letter grade scale.

The use of pluses and minuses is another key difference between the two grading schemes. Pluses and minuses are not often used in grading in Canada, but they are frequently used for marking grades that are somewhat higher or lower than the standard letter grade in the United States. A B-, on the other hand, would represent a score between 80 and 82% in the United States, while a B+ would represent a grade between 88 and 89%.

The method used for calculating final grades is another difference. In Canada, the final grade is often determined only by the average of all the grades received for the course, however, in the US, additional considerations such as homework assignments, participation in class, and attendance may also be considered.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a 4.0 GPA in Canada?

A 4.0 GPA in Canada falls into the Excellent category.

What Mark Is 70% in Canada?

A 70% is the B mark.

What Is the Passing GPA in Canada?

It mostly depends on the university. However, a B or a 2.67 GPA is often required for admission to most Canadian universities.

Does Canada Accept Low GPA?

It is possible for a student with a low CGPA to enroll in a Canadian institution. A university's admissions criteria involve other factors besides CGPA.

What Is the Minimum GPA for Masters in Canada?

Typically, you'll need a GPA of 3.0–4.0. You might also be required to submit the results of a graduate entrance exam, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).

How to Calculate The Final Grade in the Canada?

To calculate your final grade you can use Erudera's Final Grade Calculator.