Canadian GPA: the 4.0 vs 4.33 scale explained
Canada has no single national GPA scale. The biggest split is whether a school caps A+ at 4.0 or gives A+ a boost to 4.33 — and that one difference changes what a “perfect” GPA even means.
The 4.0 scale (A+ capped)
On a 4.0 scale, both A+ and A are worth 4.0, so the maximum possible GPA is 4.0. The University of Toronto and McGill work this way — an A+ is recognised on the transcript but does not lift the GPA above 4.0.
The 4.33 scale (A+ boosted)
On a 4.33 scale, A+ is worth 4.33, above the A's 4.0, so a student who earns straight A+ can exceed 4.0. The University of British Columbia uses this system. The same report card can therefore produce a higher number at UBC than at U of T.
Why it matters for applications
When you report a Canadian GPA, always state the scale (out of 4.0 or 4.33). A 4.1 is impossible on a 4.0 scale and unremarkable-sounding on a 4.33 scale, so the number is meaningless without its maximum. Graduate and professional programmes normalise for this, but only if you tell them the scale.
Percentage underneath
Many Canadian universities record percentage grades first and map them to letters and points, so the exact percentage cutoffs (for example A+ = 90–100) also vary by school. Use the per-university calculators to apply the right scale.
Key takeaways
- Canada has no single GPA scale; the key split is 4.0 vs 4.33.
- On a 4.0 scale (U of T, McGill), A+ and A both = 4.0.
- On a 4.33 scale (UBC), A+ = 4.33 and you can exceed 4.0.
- Always state the scale maximum when reporting a Canadian GPA.