How Alberta final marks are calculated
In Alberta, Grade 12 diploma courses — English 30-1 and 30-2, Social Studies 30-1 and 30-2, Mathematics 30-1 and 30-2, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30 and French Language Arts 30-1 — end with a provincial diploma exam. Since September 1, 2023, your final "blended" mark is:
Final mark = 70% × school-awarded mark + 30% × diploma exam mark
For example, a school mark of 84% and a diploma mark of 72% give 0.7 × 84 + 0.3 × 72 = 80.4%, which rounds to 80%.
What diploma mark do I need?
Rearranging the formula: Exam mark needed = (Goal − 0.7 × school mark) ÷ 0.3. Because the exam is only 30%, a strong school mark protects your final grade, while a weak exam can still pull it down by several points. A 60% on the exam with an 85% school mark, for instance, gives a 77.5% final.
Why it matters for university
Alberta universities usually calculate your admission average from your final blended marks in five Grade 12 courses, including English 30-1. Some universities may make conditional offers using school marks, then confirm with final marks after diploma results come out. Use our admission average calculator to see your average.
Rewriting a diploma exam
You can rewrite a diploma exam in a later session; the higher of the two diploma marks is used in your final blended mark. Exams are offered in several sessions each year and are moving to a digital format. Check Alberta Education's current schedule, since some sessions can be cancelled — in that case your school-awarded mark becomes your final mark.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Alberta diploma exam worth?
If I get 80% in class and 70% on the diploma, what is my final mark?
Which courses have diploma exams?
Can I rewrite a diploma exam?
Sources & methodology
This calculator was last reviewed on November 1, 2026. Figures are based on the following official and primary sources:
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