Can You Fail a Final Exam and Still Pass in Ontario?
Grades can feel overwhelming, especially when a final exam doesn’t go the way you hoped. Many students immediately worry about losing a credit, delaying graduation, or missing a university or college deadline. One of the most common questions students ask in this situation is can you fail a final exam and still pass the course? In many cases, yes—if your overall course average remains at or above 50 percent, you can still earn the credit.
Ontario’s grading system is designed to evaluate your performance across the entire course, not just one high-pressure assessment. Understanding how that system works can take a lot of fear out of the situation and help you make informed next steps if your results fall short.
This guide breaks down how final exams actually work in Ontario high schools, what failing a final really means, and what options exist if you need to recover or improve a credit. At Ontario eSecondary School (OES), students can retake or upgrade courses through Ministry-inspected, self-paced online programs with certified teachers and academic guidance, making it easier to stay on track for graduation or post-secondary goals without unnecessary delays.
Quick Recap: Can You Fail a Final Exam and Still Pass in Ontario?
- Yes, you can fail a final exam and still pass many Ontario high school courses if your overall grade remains at or above 50 percent
- Most courses use a weighted grading system, meaning coursework completed during the term often counts more than the final exam.
- This is why students sometimes fail the final exam but pass the class based on strong performance throughout the course.
- Outcomes can vary depending on final evaluation structure, including exams, culminating projects, and required submissions.
- Failing a final exam does not automatically mean you lose the credit, and there are clear options to recover or upgrade if needed.
How Ontario High School Courses Are Graded Under the OSSD
When students worry that one final exam could derail an entire course, it helps to understand how grades are calculated under the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Most Ontario high school courses are divided into two main components.
- Seventy percent of the final grade comes from coursework completed throughout the term. This includes assignments, quizzes, tests, labs, and projects.
- Thirty percent comes from the final evaluation, which may include an exam, a culminating project, or a combination of both.
This structure applies to both in-person and accredited Ontario online high schools. Because coursework carries more weight, steady performance throughout the term can significantly protect your final grade. At accredited institutions like Ontario eSecondary School, students receive clear grading breakdowns at the start of each course, so expectations around marks are transparent from day one.
Do You Automatically Fail the Class If You Fail the Final?
When students hear they’ve “failed” a final exam, it usually means they scored below 50 percent on that specific assessment. That result alone does not automatically determine whether they pass or fail the course.
This is where confusion often starts. Many students assume that can you fail a final exam and still pass is a trick question, or that failing the exam immediately means losing the credit. In Ontario, that isn’t how grading works. What matters is your final course grade as a whole.
To pass the course, you must finish with an overall mark of at least 50 percent. That final grade includes the work completed throughout the term—such as assignments, quizzes, tests, labs, and projects—along with the final evaluation. For example, if your final exam is worth 30 percent and you score below 50 on it, you can still pass the course if your coursework average is strong enough to keep your overall grade at or above 50 percent. A solid term average can absorb a weaker exam result, while missing assignments or an already low average can make the final far more decisive.
There are exceptions. In Ontario, students must also demonstrate achievement of required course expectations. Some courses include mandatory evaluations, such as culminating tasks, that must be completed to earn the credit. If these components are missing, credit may not be granted even if the overall average appears to be passing. This is why staying in communication with teachers or academic advisors is especially important when results are close.
A low exam score can feel discouraging after months of effort. In most cases, though, it represents just one part of a broader evaluation—one that reflects your full body of work, not a single high-pressure day.
What Happens If You Fail a Final Exam in Ontario —and What to Do Next
If your final course average drops below 50 percent, you won’t earn the credit. While that outcome can feel stressful, it’s far from uncommon—and it’s fixable.
Many students retake or upgrade the course, especially when they need the credit for university or college admission. At Ontario eSecondary School (OES), students can retake a specific course on a fully self-paced schedule, start at any time, and complete the credit in as little as four weeks. Courses include access to certified Ontario teachers, 24/7 tutoring support, and academic guidance to help target weaker areas from the first attempt.
Because learning is flexible, students can complete coursework and write the final exam at OES when it best fits their schedule—making this option especially helpful for adult learners, international students, athletes, or anyone balancing school with other commitments.
For additional support, OES students may find these resources helpful:
Frequently Asked Questions: What Happens If You Fail a Final Exam in Ontario?
Can You Fail a Final Exam and Still Pass the Course?
Yes. Passing the course depends on your overall final average, not the exam mark alone. If your coursework is strong enough to keep your final grade at or above 50 percent, you still earn the credit. This is why many students ask, if you fail a final can you still pass the class, and the answer is often reassuring.
What Happens If You Fail the Final Exam in Ontario?
In Ontario, what happens if you fail finals in high school depends on your overall course performance. A failed final exam will lower your final mark, but it does not automatically result in failing the course. What matters is whether your combined coursework and final evaluation keep your overall grade at 50 percent or higher, which is the threshold needed to earn the credit.
Is the Final Exam Always Worth 30 Percent in Ontario High School?
Not always. While 30 percent is standard, some courses split that percentage between an exam and a culminating project. Online schools often provide more flexibility while still following Ministry guidelines, which can benefit students who perform better on projects than traditional exams.
Can You Retake or Upgrade a Course to Improve Your Mark?
Yes. Retaking or upgrading a course is a common and accepted option in Ontario, especially for students who need to meet university or college admission requirements. Many students choose online courses so they can focus on improving specific areas without repeating an entire semester in a traditional classroom.
Do Online High School Credits Count Toward the OSSD?
Yes, as long as the school is Ministry-inspected and accredited. Credits earned through Ontario eSecondary School count fully toward the OSSD and are accepted by Ontario universities and colleges.
Can Adult Learners and International Students Retake Courses Online?
Absolutely. Adult learners returning to education and international students aiming to study in Canada often rely on online courses for flexibility and accessibility. Programs like Ontario eSecondary School allow students to start at any time and complete courses in as little as four weeks, making it easier to balance work, family responsibilities, or time zone differences.
Book a 15-Minute Academic Guidance Meeting and Get Back on Track
If you’re unsure how your final exam affects your path forward, a short conversation can make all the difference. Ontario eSecondary School offers a free 15-minute Academic Guidance Meeting to help you understand your options, plan next steps, and choose the right courses. Whether you’re upgrading a mark, finishing your diploma, or applying to post-secondary programs, personalized guidance can help you move forward with confidence.