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Understanding how to convert academic achievements from Canada into the U.S. GPA 4.0 system is crucial for Canadian students who plan to apply to U.S. Universities. There are differences in the Canadian grading systems between provinces and institutions of higher education, but you can use general patterns to help with conversion.
Canadian Grading System Overview
Canada’s grading scale is complicated because it differs by province and institution type (high school or college). This is a general overview on the grading systems used in Canada.
| Canadian Grade | Percentage Range | Description | Equivalent Letter Grade |
| A+ | 90–100% | Excellent | A+ |
| A | 85–89% | Very Good | A |
| A− | 80–84% | Good | A− |
| B+ | 75–79% | Above Average | B+ |
| B | 70–74% | Average | B |
| B− | 65–69% | Below Average | B− |
| C+ | 60–64% | Satisfactory | C+ |
| C | 55–59% | Pass | C |
| C− | 50–54% | Weak Pass | C− |
| F | Below 50% | Fail | F |
The Differences Between Provinces
- Ontario: The system is based on a percentage, with a passing grade starting at 50%.
- Quebec: Includes a letter system as well as a numerical scale ranging from 0 to 100%.
- British Columbia uses a system based on percentages, similar to Ontario.
- Alberta: Some schools follow a scale based on letters, while others use a system based on percentages.
- Newfoundland and Labrador follows a similar structure as Ontario, but with minor differences in the grade cut-offs.
Evaluation Factors
The Canadian system of grading is based on:
- Exams and midterms
- Assignments and coursework
- Class participation
- Science courses: Research projects and laboratory work
The US 4.0 GPA System
The 4.0 GPA is used by U.S. Universities to measure academic performance. This scale assigns numerical values to each letter grade. It creates a standard way to evaluate student achievement. This is a breakdown of the scale:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) | Description |
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% | Excellent |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% | Good |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% | Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | Below Average |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Fail |
- Unweighted GPA is the most commonly used form of GPA in U.S. Universities. It does not take into account the difficulty of the courses.
- Weighted GPA – Some U.S. universities and high schools give extra points to advanced courses, such as Honors or AP. This can raise the scale up to 5.0.
Conversion Process
Follow these simple steps to convert your Canadian grades into the U.S. GPA 4.0 system.
Step 1: Gather your grades
Get your grade report or transcript from your school. Determine the scale of grading (percentage or letter based).
Step 2: Compare to U.S. equivalents
You can convert your Canadian grades into the U.S. GPA system using the table below:
| Canadian Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
| A+ | 90–100% | A | 4.0 |
| A | 85–89% | A | 4.0 |
| A− | 80–84% | B | 3.0 |
| B+ | 75–79% | B | 3.0 |
| B | 70–74% | C | 2.0 |
| B− | 65–69% | C | 2.0 |
| C+ | 60–64% | D | 1.0 |
| C | 55–59% | D | 1.0 |
| C− | 50–54% | D | 1.0 |
| F | Below 50% | F | 0.0 |
Step 3: Assigning GPA values
Use the table to assign the GPA for each grade.
Step 4: Calculate your Average
- Add all GPA values together.
- Divide the total number by the number of courses.
Example: Let’s say you have the following Canadian grades.
- A+ (95%) – 4.0
- A (88%) = 4.0
- B+ (78%) – 3.0
- C+ (62%) – 1.0
Calculation: (4.0+4.0+3.0+1.0)/4 = 3.0 GPA
Please note that this table is only a rough conversion. Your official GPA may differ because U.S. colleges and universities use different evaluation methods.
- Use the GPA Calculator to get precise results.
Common Questions answered
Q: How accurate are the conversion tables?
The table is a general guideline, but universities can adjust it based on the criteria they use. Check with the admissions office of your chosen school.
Q: What happens if my school has a different scale of grading?
If you are using a different scale at your school, first convert it to percentages, and then compare with the U.S. system.
Q: What GPA is expected by top U.S. Universities?
A: Schools like Ivy League expect GPAs between 3.7 and 4.0. A GPA of at least 3.0 is usually sufficient for mid-tier universities.
Q: What happens if my school has a pass/fail policy?
A: Although it is difficult to convert a pass/fail grade, most U.S. colleges consider a “Pass”, to be equivalent to a minimum of a C (2.00) in terms of GPA.
Q: What should I do with my high school grades?
Use the table above to convert high school grades. Consult your school counselor for weighted classes (like AP) or use the Calculator.
Final Tips
- Do a double-check of your transcripts and calculations before you submit your GPA to colleges.
- If you find discrepancies, contact the admissions office of your chosen university for clarification.
- Double-check the conversion using a Calculator.