Short answer. Ontario universities build your admission average from your best six Grade 12 U or M courses. Courses your program requires are always included. Add the six marks and divide by six.
How the top 6 average works
Most Ontario universities build your admission average from six Grade 12 courses. These are University (U) or University/College (M) courses. You may know them as 4U and 4M courses. The common rule is simple. Take the six best marks. Add them. Divide by six.
There is one more rule. A program lists the courses it requires. These are the prerequisites. Many programs also need English. An engineering program may need Functions, Calculus, Physics and Chemistry. Prerequisites are always in your average, even when the mark is low. After they are in, the rest of the six places go to your best other marks.
What the calculator does
You enter each course and its mark. You mark each prerequisite with Yes. The tool puts the prerequisites in first. It then fills the open places with your highest marks from the other courses. It lists the six courses that count. It also lists the courses left out.
If you mark more than six prerequisites, only the best six of them are used. If you enter fewer than six courses, the tool shows a partial average and says so.
Rules that can change your number
Universities set their own rules, so check the program page. These points are common in Ontario:
- Early offers often use Grade 11 marks. A Grade 11 course may stand in for a Grade 12 prerequisite you have not finished.
- In the spring, many averages use the Grade 12 marks you have at that time. These can be midterm or interim marks. The final average can differ.
- If you repeat a course, most universities use the higher mark.
- Some programs add a supplementary application or portfolio. The average is only one part.
Cut-off averages change each year. A past cut-off is a guide and not a promise.
Worked example
Example. A student has seven Grade 12 courses: English 82, Functions 72, Calculus 85, Physics 74, Chemistry 80, Biology 91 and Data Management 88. The program requires English, Functions and Chemistry.
The prerequisites go in first: 82 + 72 + 80 = 234. Three places are open. The best remaining marks are Biology 91, Data Management 88 and Calculus 85. That adds 264.
Total: 234 + 264 = 498. Average: 498 ÷ 6 = 83.0%. Physics (74) does not count.
Without the prerequisite rule, the best six marks would be 91, 88, 85, 82, 80 and 74. That gives 500 ÷ 6 = 83.33%. The prerequisite rule lowers the average by a third of a point here, because Functions at 72 must stay in.
Questions
What is the top 6 average?
It is the mean of your six best Grade 12 U and M marks. Ontario universities use it as the main number for admission. Prerequisite courses for your program are always included.
Do prerequisites count even if my mark is low?
Yes. A required course stays in your six. This is why the average for one program can differ from the average for another program.
Do 4C or open courses count?
Usually not. Most Ontario universities use U and M courses only. Check the rules for your program, because a few allow other courses in special cases.
Which marks do I use before I finish Grade 12?
Early on, many universities use Grade 11 marks. Later they use Grade 12 marks you have so far. Use the best data you have and update the tool when marks arrive.
What if I repeat a course?
Most universities use the higher of the two marks. Ask the admissions office if your case is unusual.
Is this the same as my university average?
Not always. Each university sets its own rules and may round or weight in a different way. This tool follows the common best-six rule. The offer letter and the program page are the final source.
Last checked by the StudyCount team.