The Ontario government has announced that written exams will now account for up to 25 per cent of final grades in mathematics, English, and science for secondary school students across the province. The change, effective immediately, aims to standardize assessment practices and ensure students demonstrate mastery of core subjects through formal testing.
New policy details
Under the updated grading framework, school boards must ensure that final exams in these three subjects constitute between 20 and 25 per cent of a student's overall mark. The policy applies to all Grade 9 to 12 students enrolled in these courses. The Ministry of Education said the move is designed to provide consistency across the province and better prepare students for post-secondary education and the workforce.
Previously, individual school boards had discretion over exam weighting, leading to significant variation. Some schools did not require final exams at all, while others weighted them as low as 10 per cent. The new policy sets a minimum threshold to ensure that exams are a meaningful component of assessment.
Reactions from educators and parents
“Standardizing exam weights ensures that all students are held to the same high expectations, regardless of where they live,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement. “This change will help close gaps in academic preparedness and give parents confidence that their children are being assessed fairly.”
However, some educators have expressed concerns. The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) argued that high-stakes exams can increase student anxiety and may not accurately reflect a student’s abilities. “We believe in a balanced approach to assessment that includes multiple measures of student learning,” said OSSTF president Karen Brown. “Exams are one tool, but they should not be overemphasized at the expense of other forms of evaluation.”
Implementation and timeline
The policy takes effect for the current school year, meaning students writing exams in June 2026 will be the first affected. School boards have been instructed to adjust their assessment policies accordingly. The ministry said it will provide resources and professional development to help teachers design fair and effective exams.
The change applies only to the three core subjects of math, English, and science. Other subjects, such as social studies, arts, and physical education, will continue to follow existing local grading practices. The government indicated it may consider expanding the policy to additional subjects in the future based on feedback and outcomes.
Impact on students
For students, the new weighting means that performance on final exams will have a greater impact on their overall grade. This could motivate some to study more diligently, but also raises concerns about equity. Students with test anxiety or those who lack access to tutoring or quiet study spaces may be disproportionately affected.
The Ministry of Education acknowledged these concerns and said it is working with school boards to provide supports, including exam preparation workshops and accommodations for students with special needs. “We are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” Lecce added.
