McMaster GPA scale
McMaster University grades on a 12-point scale: an A+ is 12, an A is 11, and the table below is the registrar's own, with the passing grade and how the average is computed.
This is the scale you are graded on once you arrive. It is not the average you are admitted on — Ontario universities admit on your Grade 12 percentage average, and McMaster’s admission requirements are on their own page.
12
top of the scale
GPA
what the transcript carries
13
letter bands
The scale, as the registrar prints it
From Office of the Registrar — Grades (current page, rule change dated September 1, 2018), read 2026-08-22. The source.
| Letter | Grade points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 12 | 90–100 |
| A | 11 | 85–89 |
| A− | 10 | 80–84 |
| B+ | 9 | 77–79 |
| B | 8 | 73–76 |
| B− | 7 | 70–72 |
| C+ | 6 | 67–69 |
| C | 5 | 63–66 |
| C− | 4 | 60–62 |
| D+ | 3 | 57–59 |
| D | 2 | 53–56 |
| D− | 1 | 50–52 |
| F | 0 | 0–49 |
What passes at McMaster
The registrar's grades page does not print a passing grade; F (0–49) carries no credit.
How McMaster computes your average
“Course points are calculated by multiplying the number of course units by the grade point value of your final grade.” “The Term Grade Point Average is calculated by dividing the total points for the term by the Term GPA units.”
Worth knowing before first year
- An A+ is a 12, not a 4 — McMaster's scale runs to 12, so a 10.5 GPA is an A−/A average.
- “Prior to September 1, 2018 the grades from all attempts (including failed attempts) are included in the GPA calculation” — the repeat rule changed that day.
The same mark at other campuses
Where a 95, 85, 78, 72, 65 lands at McMaster and at the other universities that publish percentage bands. Useful when comparing scholarship-renewal or program-entry thresholds written in different currencies.
| Campus | 95% | 85% | 78% | 72% | 65% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McMaster12-point | A+ · 12 | A · 11 | B+ · 9 | B− · 7 | C · 5 |
| Queen's4.3 | A+ · 4.3 | A · 4.0 | B+ · 3.3 | B− · 2.7 | C · 2.0 |
| U of T (St. George)4.0 | A+ · 4.0 | A · 4.0 | B+ · 3.3 | B− · 2.7 | C · 2.0 |
| Westernpercentage | A+ | A | B | B | C |
| Carleton12-point | A+ · 12 | A · 11 | B+ · 9 | B− · 7 | C · 5 |
| Ottawa10-point | A+ · 10 | A · 9 | B+ · 7 | B · 6 | C+ · 5 |
| Laurier (Waterloo)12-point | A+ · 12 | A · 11 | B+ · 9 | B− · 7 | C · 5 |
| TMU4.33 | A+ · 4.33 | A · 4.00 | B+ · 3.33 | B− · 2.67 | C · 2.00 |
| Guelphpercentage | A+ | A | B+ | B− | C |
| Guelph-Humberpercentage | A+ | A | B+ | B− | C |
| York9-point | A+ · 9 | A · 8 | B+ · 7 | B · 6 | C+ · 5 |
| Brockpercentage | A | A | B | B | C |
| Windsorpercentage | A+ | A | B+ | B− | C |
| Trentpercentage | A+ | A | B+ | B− | C |
| Lakeheadpercentage | A+ | A | B | B | C |
| Laurentian10-point | A+ · 10 | A · 9 | B+ · 7 | B · 6 | C+ · 5 |
| Ontario Tech4.3 | A+ · 4.3 | A · 4.0 | B+ · 3.3 | B− · 2.7 | C · 2.0 |
| Nipissingpercentage | A | A | B | B | C |
| Algomapercentage | A+ | A− | B+ | B− | C |
| OCADpercentage | A+ | A | B+ | B− | C |
| RMCpercentage | A+ | A− | B+ | B− | C |
Waterloo is not in the table: it has no letters, so a 78 is a 78.