If you're going to study in Canada, it's really important to know the Canadian grading system. It may seem a little strange compared to what you're used to, but don't panic we've got you covered. Whether it's letter grades, GPA, or percentages, being aware of how grades work here can keep you on top of your academic game. This blog will explain it all simply so you're aware of what to expect. Whether you are going to high school or university, understanding the Canadian grading system is a great starting point in your study abroad experience.
Table of Contents
The Canadian grading system is one of the most reliable and accepted. Thus, it is one of the main reasons why students want to study in Canada. However, this system varies for every province in Canada. There are 10 provinces in Canada, each of which follows a different grading system. The Canada grading system can vary from 4.0 to 9.0 scale. Moreover, sometimes they also use letters from the English alphabet like A, B, C, D, and F. They often combine these two. In addition, they also assess students with numerical numbers.
There are several grading systems used and validated in Canada. These are different from province to province and even professor to professor. However, there are 2 scales which are commonly used across Canada:
Let us now take a look at how GPA is calculated in Canada.
Knowing how your grade in school is calculated is vital, particularly if you are a student or an applicant for scholarships in Canada. A Canada GPA calculator is where you can be of great assistance. It helps students to transform their percentage marks or letter grades into the employed Grade Point Average (GPA) system that is widely employed in Canadian post-secondary schools.
The Canadian grade system will fluctuate somewhat across provinces and colleges but overall typically is based on a 4.0 system. For instance, an "A" may be a 4.0, and a "B" may be a 3.0. Also, a few universities utilize the percentage system and can be interpreted into GPA following some guidelines. Due to these differences, it's required to employ a GPA calculator specifically for the Canada system in an effort to achieve the proper results.
The grading system in Canada normally consists of letter grades (A, B, C, etc.), percentage scores (0–100%), and GPA. Different standards apply between universities and high schools, but both utilize a similar system in determining GPA when it comes to admission or academic standing. Specifically, international students use GPA calculators compatible with the country's grading scales and convert it to a Canadian equivalent.
With the help of a GPA calculator that is applicable to the Canada grading system, students are able to assess quite well how they perform academically. It also assists in setting feasible academic targets, program search, and being qualified for scholarship requirements. Whether you are residing locally or internationally, it is useful to know the Canada grading system through the use of the GPA calculator so that it can make your studies easier and maximize academic planning.
Let's understand this with a formula for better clarity.
The general formula below is used to calculate GPA based on the Canadian grading system:
GPA = (Total Grade Points Earned) / (Total Credit Hours Attempted)
For each course:
The formula will give you a true representation of your grades in the Canadian grading system. Always refer to your institution, as exact conversions may vary slightly. Now let's move to the grading system in Canada as per the provinces.
As we noted before, the Canadian provinces have different grading systems. Therefore, we will discover all ten provinces and their grading systems in the sections below:
This province is famous for being home to the top universities in the world. Some of them are the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, etc.
Take a look at the table below to understand the Alberta grading system:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
GPA |
|
A+ |
4.3 |
|
A |
4.0 |
|
A- |
3.7 |
|
B+ |
3.3 |
|
B |
3.0 |
|
B- |
2.7 |
|
C+ |
2.3 |
|
C |
2.0 |
|
C- |
1.7 |
|
D+ |
1.3 |
|
D |
1 |
|
E/F |
0.0 |
British Columbia is another popular province with top-class universities. For instance, you will find the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and more.
The universities in British Columbia use alphabetical letters as grades. However, these are different from Alberta and are based on the percentage system. Therefore, Indian students relate more to this system than anyone else.
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Percentage |
|
A |
86 - 100 |
|
B |
73 - 85 |
|
C+ |
67 - 72 |
|
C |
60 - 66 |
|
C- |
50 - 59 |
|
I |
0 - 49 |
|
F |
0 - 49 |
Moreover, the Indian CGPA to Canada GPA is also a very simple process. For instance, if your Indian CGPA is 5.0, then it is obvious that you scored 50%. Furthermore, if you want to convert it to Candian GPA (on a 4.0 scale), then do (CGPA/10)*4.
The University of Manitoba and Brandon University are located in Manitoba, a province in Canada. The GPA system in Canada varies in all regions. Several more famous universities in the region follow the below-mentioned grading scheme:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
GPA |
|
A+ |
4.5 |
|
A |
4 |
|
B+ |
3.5 |
|
B |
3 |
|
C+ |
2.5 |
|
C |
2 |
|
D |
1 |
|
F |
0 |
The distance between these two is 414 km. McGill University and the University of Montreal are 2 of the best universities in Quebec. The grading system in the table below is as followed here:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
GPA |
|
A- |
3.66 |
|
B+ |
3.33 |
|
B |
3.00 |
|
B- |
2.66 |
|
C+ |
2.33 |
|
C |
2.00 |
|
C- |
1.66 |
|
D+ |
1.33 |
|
D |
1.00 |
|
E |
0.00 |
International students get quality education at the Memorial University of Newfoundland and other such institutes. However, the Canadian grading scale in all the colleges that lie under this region is:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Percentage |
|
A |
80 - 100 |
|
B |
65 - 79 |
|
C |
55 - 64 |
|
D |
50 - 54 |
|
F |
0 - 49 |
It is another hotspot for world class education. Universities like Dalhousie, Acadia, and Saint Mary's are located here. Nova Scotia has a different Canadian grading system:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Percentage |
|
A+ |
90 - 100 |
|
A |
85 - 89 |
|
A- |
80 - 84 |
|
B+ |
77 - 79 |
|
B |
73 - 76 |
|
B- |
70 - 72 |
|
C+ |
65 - 69 |
|
C |
60 - 64 |
|
C- |
55 - 59 |
|
D |
50 - 54 |
|
F |
0 - 49 |
The Canadian grading system for institutes in the Ontario province has:
This is how they look together:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Numerical Grade |
|
A+ |
10 |
|
A |
9 |
|
A- |
8 |
|
B+ |
7 |
|
B |
6 |
|
C+ |
5 |
|
C |
4 |
|
D+ |
3 |
|
D |
2 |
|
E |
1 |
|
F |
0 |
There are several great universities in this region of Canada. Take a look at the grading system they follow:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Percentage |
|
A+ |
91.00 - 100.00 |
|
A |
85.00 - 90.00 |
|
A- |
80.00 - 84.00 |
|
B+ |
77.00 - 79.00 |
|
B |
74.00 - 76.00 |
|
B- |
70.00 - 73.00 |
|
C+ |
67.00 - 69.00 |
|
C |
64.00 - 66.00 |
|
C- |
60.00 - 63.00 |
|
D+ |
57.00 - 59.00 |
|
D |
54.00 - 56.00 |
|
D- |
50.00 - 53.00 |
|
F |
0.00 - 49.00 |
The simplest grading system of all to understand is in Saskatchewan. Take note of the percentage and alphabetical letters used:
|
Alphabetical Letter Grade |
Percentage |
|
A+ |
90 - 100 |
|
A |
80 - 89 |
|
B |
70 - 79 |
|
C |
60 - 69 |
|
D |
50 - 59 |
|
F |
0 - 49 |
These are the various grading systems used in one single country Canada. It proves that the Canadian grading system is very diverse.
To conclude, there is a great difference between the Canadian grading system in various provinces. However, it is also very surprising to have such a diverse grading system. If the details above are too complex for you to understand then we have a solution for you! Book a free session with our study abroad consultants in India and share your issues. They are eager to help scholars on their study abroad journey.
No, 70% is usually a B in Canada, not an A. Most schools use 80%+ for A grades. Grading can vary slightly by province or institution.
In Canada, a 3.0 GPA typically translates to around 70–74%, which is considered a B grade in most universities. Keep in mind, that the exact percentage may vary slightly depending on the institution or province.
Ques.3 How many grades does Ontario have?
Ontario has 13 grades:
Students typically start JK at age 4 and finish Grade 12 around age 18.
Yes, Canadian grading systems can indirectly affect immigration and visa applications, particularly for student visas.
The percentage to a letter grade in Ontario follows a standard scale commonly used in schools across the province:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A+ |
| 85–89% | A |
| 80–84% | A− |
| 75–79% | B+ |
| 70–74% | B |
| 65–69% | C+ |
| 60–64% | C |
| 50–59% | D |
| Below 50% | F (Fail) |
Dalhousie University, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, follows a percentage-based grading system that is converted into letter grades and GPA. Here's the general grade scale used at Dalhousie:
Dalhousie University uses the following grading scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA (4.3 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100% | A+ | 4.3 |
| 85–89% | A | 4.0 |
| 80–84% | A− | 3.7 |
| 77–79% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 73–76% | B | 3.0 |
| 70–72% | B− | 2.7 |
| 67–69% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 63–66% | C | 2.0 |
| 60–62% | C− | 1.7 |
| 50–59% | D | 1.0 |
| Below 50% | F | 0.0 |
We are available in :
BangaloreAhmedabadJaipurHyderabadKeralaPuneChandigarhMumbaiGurgaonChennaiKolkataTrivandrumNoidaKochiCalicutKottayamKollamThrissurIndoreUdaipurdisclaimer:logos and other registered trademarks of universities used on this platform are held by their respective owners. Gradding does not claim ownership or association on them, and their use is purely for informational and illustrative purposes.
