Academic grading in Canada

Last updated

Academic grading in Canada varies by province, level of education (e.g., elementary, secondary, tertiary), by institution, and faculty. The following are commonly used conversions from percentage grades to letter grades.

Contents

Alberta

This is the system of grading used by many schools in Alberta.

LetterPercentRef.
A+90–100% [1]
A85–89%
A−80–84%
B+77–79%
B73–76%
B−70–72%
C+67–69%
C63-66%
C-60-62%
D+55–59%
D50–54%
F0–49%

British Columbia

This is the system of grading used by many high schools in BC (Grades 10–12).

Grading scale for Grades 10–12
LetterPer centExplanationRef.
A86–100%Excellent or outstanding [2]
Proficiency scale for Grades K–9
-| rowspan="5" | [3]
ProficientStudent demonstrates a complete understanding of concepts taught.
DevelopingStudent demonstrates a partial understanding of concepts taught.
EmergingStudent demonstrates an initial understanding of concepts taught.
IEInsufficient evidence of learning (missing assignments)

Ontario

The grading standards for public elementary and secondary schools (including secular and separate; English and French first language schools) are set by the Ontario Ministry of Education and includes letter grades and percentages. In addition to letter grades and percentages, the Ministry of Education also uses a level system to mark its students. The four levels correspond to how students are marked on the Ontario rubric. The following is the levels on the Ontario rubric, its meaning, and its corresponding letter/percentage grades:

The grading standards for A− letter grades changed in September 2010 to coincide with a new academic year. The new changes require a higher percentage grade by two or five points to obtain an A or A+ respectively.

LetterLevel [note 1] Percent
(until August 2010) [4]
Percent
(since September 2010) [5]
A+490–100%95–100% (School grading system may vary)
A85–89%87–94% (85-90%)
A−80–84%80–86% (80-85%)
B+377–79% (75-80%)
B73–76% (70-75%)
B−70–72% (65-70%)
C+267–69% (60-65%)
C63–66% (55-60%)
C−60–62% (55-60%)
D+157–59% (53-55%)
D53–56% (52-53%)
D−50–52%
F/R [note 2] 0–49%
I [note 3]

Saskatchewan

LetterPercentRef.
A+90–100% [6]
A80–89%
B70–79%
C60–69%
D50–59%
F0–49%

At a high school level in Saskatchewan, most subjects are separated into three competencies. On report cards, marks are normally shown as numbers and an average of the two marks associated with the subject will be calculated. [7] For example, if a student achieves A, A− and B+ in a subject, teachers will calculate an average of the three marks (in this case, 85%).

See also

Notes

  1. Some institutions may use +/− modifiers (Level 4+ or Level 4-) alongside levels, although formally, the Ministry's rubric does not include them.
  2. N/A or R is used in elementary schools, while F is used for secondary schools.
  3. insufficient amount of information to be graded.

References

  1. "Canada - Alberta Grading System". www.scholaro.com. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  2. "BC School Act, sections 79 (3), and 85(2) (j) and 168 (2) (b): Provincial Letter Grades order" (PDF). British Columbia Ministry of Education. 11 July 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  3. "Unpacking the Proficiency Scale: Support for Educators" (PDF). British Columbia Ministry of Education. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  4. "Grading Scale Systems Worldwide: An Overview" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  5. "Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools" (PDF). 2010. p. 40.
  6. "Canada - Saskatchewan Grading System". www.scholaro.com. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
  7. "Page introuvable – 404 | Ministère de l'Éducation et Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2009.