Medical schools in Quebec use their own grading system. While universities use GPAs (Grade Point Averages) to evaluate applicants’ academic standing, medical schools in Quebec particularly French ones use their own grading system. This article will evaluate the different grading systems applicants are evaluated on.
CRA
University of Montreal uses the term “Côte Académique Globale” (CAG) to define the measure they use to evaluate an applicant’s academic profile. For example, a CEGEP applicant’s CRA will be based on his or her CRC score, whereas a university applicant’s CRA will be based on his or her CRU score. In addition, University of Montreal adds 0.5 points to the CRA for applicants having successfully obtained a minimum of 12 university credits at the time application.
CRC/ R score
“Côte de Rendement Collégiale” also known as CRC is what University of Laval, Sherbrooke & University of Montreal use to evaluate the academic standing of CEGEP applicants. The CRC is calculated by “le Bureau de Coopération Interuniversitaire” (BCI).
McGill University also uses the CRC to evaluate pre-med applicants but McGill refers to it as “R score.” The CRC assumes that a student receiving a grade of 85 by one teacher in one course at one school doesn’t weigh the same as another 85 from a different teacher at a different school but for the same class. In this way, the R score tries to level the playing field in order to fairly compare student performances.
All numerical grades between 0-100 generate an R score. The CRC/R score takes into account 2 main variables: the Z score, the Indicator of the Strength of the Group (ISG). The Z score is an expression of the student’s position within a course such as stronger students receive a higher Z score. Because the Z score does not take into consideration the specific characteristics of students, the ISG is used to correct all disparities associated with the Z score. Click here and here to find out more about the CRC.
CRU
For university applicants, University of Sherbrooke, Laval & University of Montreal will use what they call “la Côte de Rendement Universitaire” (CRU) which is very similar to the CRC but instead of using the applicant’s CEGEP grades, university grades are now used to calculate an applicant’s performance in a certain university program. In calculating an applicant’s CRU, the following measures are included: the course average, the number of credits associated with the course, the index of group dispersion, the Z score, the indicator of the strength of the group and 2 constants. Click here for a detailed breakdown of the CRU and how it’s calculated.
In addition, University of Montreal allocates extra points to an applicant’s CRU based on the following criteria: 1 point added for having a master’s degree and 2 points added for having PhD.
CAG
Like the CRA, “Côte Académique Globale” is the measure Sherbrooke University uses to evaluate academic profiles. Whether applicants are applying from CEGEP or University, their CRC or CRU will be evaluated, and a CAG will be calculated. Just like University of Montreal, Sherbrooke University allocated extra points to the CAG based on the following breakdown: 0.5 extra points for bachelor’s degrees, 1 point for master’s degrees and 2 points for PhDs.
