The Canadian grading system can be confusing if you've studied somewhere with a different approach — and even more confusing because it varies between provinces, schools, and sometimes even between programs at the same school.
It's important to speak to your academic advisor to make sure you remain on track with your studies - they can also offer advice on managing your course-load.
This guide explains the patterns you're most likely to encounter, what the grades actually mean, how GPA is calculated, and what "academic standing" you need to maintain to stay enrolled.
A note before you start: every school sets its own grading policy. The patterns here are common, not universal. Always confirm specifics with your program advisor or your school's academic calendar.
The basics: letters, percentages, and GPA
Canadian schools generally report grades in three forms, often at the same time:
A percentage out of 100 (e.g. 78%)
A letter grade (A, B+, C, etc.)
A grade point on a numerical scale (usually out of 4.0 or 4.3)
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A typical conversion looks like this — but the exact percentage cutoffs vary by school:
Percentage | Letter | GPA (4.0 scale) | Meaning |
90–100 | A+ | 4.0–4.3 | Exceptional |
85–89 | A | 4.0 | Excellent |
80–84 | A− | 3.7 | Very good |
77–79 | B+ | 3.3 | Good |
73–76 | B | 3.0 | Solid |
70–72 | B− | 2.7 | Acceptable |
65–69 | C+ | 2.3 | Adequate |
60–64 | C | 2.0 | Passing |
55–59 | C− / D | 1.7 | Marginal |
50–54 | D | 1.0 | Minimum pass |
Below 50 | F | 0.0 | Fail |
A few things worth noting:
A 60% in Canada is generally a passing grade, but it isn't a "good" grade. Many graduate programs and professional schools won't accept students with grades in the C range.
Percentages below 90 are normal and respectable. In some countries, anything below 90% is considered weak — that's not how Canadian grading works. A B+ (around 77–79%) is a strong performance.
Grade inflation varies. Some programs (like business or arts) have higher average grades; others (engineering, sciences) have lower averages on purpose.
👉 Search your school's website for "grading scale" or check the academic calendar. The exact percentage-to-letter conversion at your school may be different from the table above.
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How GPA is calculated
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is the weighted average of your grade points across all the courses you've taken. The calculation looks like this:
Convert each course grade to a grade point (e.g. B+ = 3.3)
Multiply each grade point by the credit weight of the course (a normal course is usually 3 credits; a half-course is 1.5)
Add up the weighted points and divide by the total credits attempted
A worked example, simplified:
Course 1 (3 credits): A− = 3.7 → 3.7 × 3 = 11.1
Course 2 (3 credits): B+ = 3.3 → 3.3 × 3 = 9.9
Course 3 (3 credits): B = 3.0 → 3.0 × 3 = 9.0
Total points: 30.0 / 9 credits = 3.33 GPA
Two terms you'll hear:
Sessional GPA (or term GPA) is your average for a single term.
Cumulative GPA (CGPA) is your average across every course you've taken at the school.
Cumulative GPA is the one that matters most — for academic standing, scholarships, graduate school applications, and many employers.
👉 Your student portal almost certainly has a "GPA calculator" or a real-time view of your CGPA. Find it once, early in your first term, so you know where to look.
Pass/fail expectations
For most courses, you need to earn at least a D (50%) to pass, and a C− (around 60%) to count it toward your major or a prerequisite for a more advanced course. Some programs require a higher minimum — for example, many science programs require a C in the first-year math course to continue in second year.
Some courses are graded pass/fail (sometimes called CR/NC for credit/no credit). These don't affect your GPA — you either get the credit or you don't. Pass/fail courses are common for things like first-year seminars, co-op work terms, internships, or wellness courses, and some schools let you take one elective per term on a pass/fail basis.
A failed course (F) still counts in your GPA as a 0.0 — so failing one course can drag your cumulative GPA down meaningfully. If you fail a required course, you'll usually need to retake it, and at most schools the new grade replaces the old one in your GPA calculation (but not always — confirm at your school).
---> For your immigration (& funding) status it is important that you maintain a good GPA and remain in good academic standing
Some top tips that might differ from your home country
A few patterns that often surprise international students:
Percentages compress at the top. Getting above 95% is genuinely uncommon at Canadian universities; an A+ is rare and represents truly exceptional work. In some countries, top students routinely score above 95% — that scale doesn't translate.
Participation and assignments often matter as much as exams. Most courses calculate the final grade from a mix of components — exams, assignments, papers, lab work, attendance, sometimes class participation. A great final exam can't usually rescue a term of missed assignments.
You can usually appeal a grade you believe is wrong, but only on specific grounds (calculation error, marking inconsistent with the rubric) — not "I think I deserved more." Every school has a process and a deadline; missing the deadline almost always ends the appeal.
Late penalties are usually steep and automatic. Many courses deduct 5–10% per day for late assignments, with no extension granted unless you request one in advance with a documented reason.
The Canadian grading system rewards consistency more than brilliance. Showing up, turning in assignments on time, and asking for help when you need it will get you further than cramming for finals. If your grades are slipping, your academic advisor and your professors would much rather hear from you in week six than week sixteen.
They've seen every situation, and they have far more flexibility than you'd guess — but only if you ask in time.
This guide is general information. Each school sets its own grading policies and academic regulations — always confirm specifics with your program advisor or your school's academic calendar.