Ontario High School Grading Changes for 2026–27: What Parents Need to Know About Exams, Attendance, EQAO and Final Marks
If your child is in high school in Ontario, the way their final grades are calculated has changed.
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, Ontario introduced new assessment and evaluation requirements for students in Grades 9 through 12. Written final exams are now required in most secondary school courses, attendance and participation count toward final grades, and the Grade 9 Math EQAO assessment is worth 20% of a student's final MTH1W mark.
For many families, these changes raise important questions.
How much is a final exam worth? Can absences lower a student's grade? Does Grade 9 EQAO really count for 20%? What happens if a student has an IEP? And how can students adjust their study habits to succeed under the new system?
Here is what Ontario parents and students need to know.
What Changed for Ontario High School Students in 2026–27?
The biggest change is not simply that exams are back. Ontario has changed the formula used to calculate final grades in secondary school.
For Grades 9 and 10, the final mark is now based on:
65% classroom work completed throughout the course
20% mandatory final evaluation
15% attendance and participation
For Grades 11 and 12, the final mark is based on:
65% classroom work completed throughout the course
25% mandatory final evaluation
10% attendance and participation
The exact format of the final evaluation depends on the subject. In some courses, the entire final evaluation is a written exam. In others, it is divided between a written exam and a culminating task.
This means students and parents may need to think differently about marks.
Strong classroom work remains extremely important, but students now also need to prepare for final evaluations and understand how attendance and classroom participation can affect their overall grade.
How Much Are Ontario High School Exams Worth in 2026–27?
There is no single exam percentage that applies to every high school course.
The weight depends on the student's grade and subject.
Exams in Grades 9 and 10
In Grades 9 and 10, mandatory final evaluations make up 20% of the final course mark.
For English, mathematics and science, that 20% is a written exam.
Grade 9 geography and Grade 10 history, civics and citizenship also have a 20% written exam.
In subjects such as the arts, computer studies, health and physical education, technological education, business studies and several language courses, the 20% final evaluation is generally divided into a 10% written exam and a 10% culminating task.
There are some exceptions, so families should check the requirements for their child's specific course.
Exams in Grades 11 and 12
In Grades 11 and 12, mandatory final evaluations make up 25% of the final course mark.
For English, mathematics and science, the written exam accounts for the full 25%.
Other subjects may divide the 25% between an exam and a culminating task. For example, some courses have a 15% written exam and a 10% culminating task, while others use a 10% exam and a 15% culminating task.
The important takeaway for parents is simple: do not assume every Ontario high school exam has the same weight. Check the requirements for your child's grade and course.
Does Attendance Really Count Toward Ontario High School Grades Now?
Yes.
Starting in the 2026–27 school year, attendance and participation account for:
15% of the final mark in Grades 9 and 10
10% of the final mark in Grades 11 and 12
This is one of the most significant changes for Ontario families to understand.
However, this does not mean a child should go to school sick because they are afraid of losing marks.
Excused absences do not negatively affect a student's grade. Ontario identifies circumstances such as illness, unavoidable situations and approved absences, including cultural days and holy days, as examples of absences that may be excused.
The policy focuses on both attendance and participation.
What Does "Participation" Mean?
Ontario's criteria look beyond simply being physically present in class.
Participation can include whether a student:
contributes ideas during class discussions
asks relevant questions
respects the contributions of others
contributes positively to the classroom environment
This is important for families to understand because a student can attend class regularly but still need support developing the confidence, organization or learning habits needed to participate effectively.
For students who are quiet, anxious about speaking in class or unsure of the material, parents may want to speak with the teacher early rather than waiting until the end of the semester.
Is Grade 9 Math EQAO Really Worth 20% of the Final Mark?
Yes.
Starting in the 2026–27 school year, Ontario's Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics is worth 20% of the final mark in the Grade 9 de-streamed mathematics course, MTH1W.
In other words, the Grade 9 Math EQAO assessment serves as the written final exam for MTH1W.
This makes Grade 9 EQAO much more important to an individual student's course grade than many parents may remember from previous years.
The assessment measures the mathematics knowledge and skills students are expected to learn in the Ontario Grade 9 mathematics curriculum.
For the 2026–27 school year, EQAO lists two Grade 9 Math assessment windows:
Winter: January 12 to February 5, 2027
Spring: June 8 to June 30, 2027
Schools determine when their students complete the assessment within the appropriate provincial window.
What Does the Grade 9 Math EQAO Look Like?
The Grade 9 Math EQAO is completed online.
According to EQAO, the assessment includes two sessions, Session A and Session B, with 54 questions in total. Fifty questions are used to determine the student's outcome, while four are field-test questions.
Each session is designed to take approximately 60 minutes.
Rather than waiting until the week before EQAO to begin preparing, students are better served by building strong Grade 9 math skills throughout the semester.
If a student is already struggling with concepts in MTH1W, addressing those gaps early can help with both day-to-day course work and preparation for the EQAO assessment.
Is the OSSLT Also Worth Part of a Student's Grade?
The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, or OSSLT, is different from the Grade 9 Math EQAO assessment.
The OSSLT measures whether students have met Ontario's minimum literacy standard across subjects up to the end of Grade 9. Students generally begin writing it in Grade 10.
Successful completion of the literacy requirement is required to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. However, parents should not confuse this with the Grade 9 Math EQAO rule that assigns 20% of the MTH1W final mark to that assessment.
For the 2026–27 school year, the fall OSSLT administration window is November 3 to November 30, 2026. A second administration period runs from March 30 to April 19, 2027.
Are All Ontario High School Courses Required to Have Written Exams?
No.
Although written exams are now mandatory in most secondary courses, there are exceptions.
Ontario exempts certain courses from the mandatory written-exam requirement, including Grades 9 and 10 locally developed compulsory credit courses, Grades 11 and 12 workplace preparation courses, and Grades 11 and 12 open courses.
Some subject areas are also exempt from mandatory written exams, including co-operative education, interdisciplinary studies and most guidance and career education courses.
These courses still require a final evaluation, but it may take another form, such as a project, presentation or portfolio.
If you are unsure how your child's particular course will be evaluated, ask the teacher or school for the course evaluation breakdown.
What About Students With an IEP or Learning Accommodations?
Students with special education needs should not assume that an IEP or accommodation disappears because an assessment is provincial or because a course includes a final exam.
Ontario states that students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) must have opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills, and school boards are required to provide appropriate accommodations for provincial assessments in alignment with the student's IEP.
If your child has an IEP, it is important to understand your child's IEP and accommodations, review them early in the semester and speak with the school about how their accommodations apply to classroom assessments, final evaluations and EQAO.
Do not wait until exam week to ask.
What Do These Changes Mean for Ontario Students?
These changes make consistency more important.
Under the new grading structure, doing well is not just about earning strong marks on assignments during the semester. Students need to build knowledge that they can recall and apply during a final assessment. They also need to attend regularly, participate in learning and address academic gaps before those gaps become larger.
For some students, this transition may be straightforward.
For others, especially students who struggle with test anxiety, organization, foundational skills or cumulative exams, it may require a change in how they study.
5 Ways Students Can Prepare for the New Grading System
Start reviewing before exam season.
Students should review key concepts throughout the semester rather than trying to relearn an entire course a few days before an exam.
Address gaps as soon as they appear.
High school subjects build on earlier skills. This is especially true in mathematics. If a student does not understand an early concept, later units may become increasingly difficult.
Practice retrieving information without notes.
Reading notes repeatedly can feel productive, but students also need practice recalling and applying information independently. Practice questions, self-quizzing and explaining a concept aloud can help.
Take attendance and participation seriously.
Regular attendance helps students stay connected to classroom instruction. Students should also look for manageable ways to participate, such as asking a question, contributing an idea or seeking clarification when they are confused.
Ask for help early.
A student does not need to be failing before additional support makes sense. If homework is taking unusually long, test results are falling, important concepts remain unclear or a student is becoming increasingly anxious about a subject, early support can prevent smaller gaps from becoming larger ones.
How Can Parents Tell If Their Child Needs Extra Academic Support?
A single disappointing test mark does not necessarily mean a student needs tutoring.
Instead, look for patterns.
Your child may benefit from one-on-one tutoring if they regularly say they understand the material but cannot demonstrate it on tests, spend excessive amounts of time completing homework, avoid a particular subject, have gaps in foundational skills, struggle to organize independent studying, or become overwhelmed when preparing for cumulative assessments.
Parents of Grade 9 students should pay particular attention to Grade 9 math this year. With the Grade 9 Math EQAO now worth 20% of the MTH1W final grade, waiting until just before the assessment to address months of confusion can create unnecessary pressure.
The goal of tutoring should not simply be to "study for the exam." Effective support identifies what a student does and does not understand, closes learning gaps and teaches the student how to approach unfamiliar questions independently.
Preparing for Ontario's New High School Grading System
Ontario's 2026–27 changes place greater emphasis on final evaluations, attendance, participation and consistent learning throughout the semester.
That can sound intimidating, but it also gives families a clearer picture of what matters.
Know how each course is evaluated. Monitor progress throughout the semester. Ask questions when something is unclear. And if your child is struggling, act before exam season.
At North Heights Tutoring, we provide personalized one-on-one tutoring aligned with the Ontario curriculum. Our tutors support students with math, English, science and other subjects while helping them strengthen the underlying skills, confidence and study habits they need for classroom work, tests, EQAO and final exams.
Families can access in-person tutoring in Toronto and communities across the GTA, as well as live online tutoring throughout Ontario.
Concerned About Your Child's Grades or Upcoming Exams?
If your child is struggling in a course, preparing for Grade 9 Math EQAO, or finding the transition to high school assessments difficult, we can help you determine what kind of support would be most useful.
Book a free tutoring consultation with North Heights Tutoring. Tell us your child's grade, course and current challenges, and we'll help match them with a tutor based on their learning needs.
There is no commitment — just an opportunity to talk about where your child is now and where they need to go next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario High School Grading Changes
How are final grades calculated in Ontario high schools in 2026–27?
In Grades 9 and 10, final marks are based on 65% classroom work, 20% mandatory final evaluations, and 15% attendance and participation. In Grades 11 and 12, final marks are based on 65% classroom work, 25% mandatory final evaluations, and 10% attendance and participation.
How much are high school exams worth in Ontario?
It depends on the grade and course. In Grades 9 and 10, mandatory final evaluations account for 20% of the final mark. In Grades 11 and 12, they account for 25%. Some courses use a written exam for the full final-evaluation percentage, while others divide it between an exam and a culminating task
Does attendance affect high school grades in Ontario?
Yes. Beginning in 2026–27, attendance and participation account for 15% of final grades in Grades 9 and 10 and 10% in Grades 11 and 12. Excused absences do not negatively affect a student's mark
How much is Grade 9 Math EQAO worth in Ontario in 2026–27?
The Grade 9 Math EQAO assessment is worth 20% of the final mark in MTH1W beginning in the 2026–27 school year. It serves as the written final exam for the course.
Does the OSSLT count toward a student's final course mark?
The OSSLT is different from the Grade 9 Math EQAO assessment. Successful completion of Ontario's literacy requirement is required for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, but the OSSLT is not the 20%-weighted course component that applies to Grade 9 MTH1W EQAO.
Do all Ontario high school courses have final exams?
No. Written exams are mandatory in most secondary courses beginning in 2026–27, but some courses and subject areas are exempt. Exempt courses still require final evaluations, which may include projects, presentations, portfolios or other forms of assessment.
Can students with an IEP receive accommodations on EQAO?
Yes. Ontario requires school boards to provide accommodations that allow students with an IEP to participate in provincial assessments and demonstrate their knowledge and skills, in alignment with their IEP.
Comments