<p>So I've been reading that Canadian high schools and universities are considerably harder than their American counterparts with averages on tests only being ~60%. Is this true? and if so why wouldn't they ease up?</p>
<p>yup its very true -- in fact let me give you an example. I attend A.Y. Jackson SS in Toronto, which is one of the hardest in Toronto in my opinion. My friend is taking Geometry and Discrete Mathematics this semester, and his class average for a test was (no joke) 40%. A FAILING AVERAGE! I don't understand the reasoning behind screwing all the students, but I guess it's so they adjust to university better.</p>
<p>Why should they ease up? If you can't do it, get out of the way for someone who can.</p>
<p>Yep, Canadian High Schools are definitely harder. If you read the threads here regularly, you'll see lots of American students with 3.7 -4.0 GPAs that translates into about 90-100%. If you can achieve a 95% in a Canadian High School, that is considered amazing and you might receive some full rides at top institutions. If a student receives a 98%-99% average an investigation might even be launched, because it is so uncommon. Also if you look at the averages required for top Canadian Universities MOST programs do not require anything above an 85% and many get into top programs with 75% averages and no ECs.</p>
<p>Incorrect. Some Canadian high schools are harder, some easier, just like everywhere. However, grade inflation is just as present as in high schools in the US.</p>
<p>For good Canadian universities, admissions averages to many programs are above 85%. In fact, I know of several programs at Waterloo that have admissions averages above 90%. McGill ArtSci last year had a minimum average of 85.3% required.</p>
<p>Furthermore, comparing most universities in Canada to selective US schools is a stupid comparison. Canadian universityadmissions are in general tougher, but the most difficult schools in Canada are significantly easier than those in the US - due to a different educational culture, which doesn't emphasize elite schools as much, but also due to Canadian universities being more homogenous than US schools.</p>
<p>Also remember, all unis in Canada are public (except Quest), which means many comparisons with US schools are flawed.</p>
<p>Your point is valid 1of42, but in the end, if you take the hardest Canadian high school, and compare it to the hardest US school, the Canadian school WILL mark harder -- its just the way of the academic culture here, thats why the grading scales are different.</p>
<p>you guys are missing a very important factor in the canadian grading system:</p>
<p>100 - 80 is an A</p>
<p>80 - 70 is a B</p>
<p>this would literally be a gift from the heavens to ANY american high schools.</p>
<p>having attended high school in both Canada and the US, the canadian schools definately mark harder... a 90 actually means something in Canada</p>
<p>A's and B's dont matter. Univeristies in Canada only look at Grade 11 and 12 marks and your transcript lists percentages. In grades 11 and 12, letter grades are almost useless, except for calculating GPA, but even in that case, most schools calulate percentage averages. So it really doesnt matter</p>
<p>And FYI 100-86 uis an A and 85-73 is a B, in general</p>