Five questions about the R Score
The notorious “cote de rendement au collégial” (CRC), commonly known in English as the R Score, may seem mysterious to some. But nothing could be further from the truth. Here’s a quick overview of the R Score for budding university students.
Q1. What is the R Score?
A. The R Score is a calculation tool that universities use to select students based on their academic performance at the college level. Although universities use the R Score as the method of choice for evaluating all applications to programs, it is more broadly used to select students for admission to programs with limited enrollment, i.e., those where applications outnumber places available.Q2. Who calculates the R Score, and how can I get mine?
A. MESS (Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur) calculates R Scores based on a formula approved by CGBEC (Comité de gestion des bulletins d'études collégiales). Your R Score is calculated once the CEGEP has submitted your grades, and you’ll receive your R Score at the beginning of the next session. Universities receive assistance from BCI (Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire) in applying the R Score formula.Q3. Is the R Score the only selection criterion for admission to a competitive program?
A. While the R Score is an important calculation tool for most competitive programs, other selection criteria can be used as well or instead (admission tests, specific tests, interviews, portfolios, etc.). Only extremely competitive programs, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law, usually require a very high R Score (30 or more).Q4. Does my choice of CEGEP affect my R Score?
A. No. Because the R Score takes group strength and dispersion into account, all students start off with the same opportunity in all colleges. BCI is firm on this: It is pointless to choose one college over another solely because you believe you can get a better R Score and therefore have an advantage for admission to university. BCI also states that while there may have been certain advantages in the past, this is no longer the case now that the R Score formula has been revised.[1]Q5. How can I get a good R Score?
A. There is no magic formula. The best thing you can do is choose the program that is the best fit for your interests, skills, and values and put forth your best effort. The key is to be a good student and work hard. The higher your grades, the higher your R Score.
[1] Improvements to the R Score
The revised R Score, which has been in effect since fall 2017, has eliminated some of the unfairness in the previous model, mainly for students whose entire groups who do well in college or who are seeking admission to highly competitive programs. The improved R Score is the result of several years’ work by CGBEC with input from college, university, and ministry representatives.
Source: Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI)
Watch below: Tout savoir sur la cote R, by Andréanne Audet, Communication Advisor, Student Recruitment and Admission Department at the Sainte-Foy Cégep. In French only.