CIP grades

This page describes how CIP grades are calculated and the requirements for program completion. Please see the exams section for additional important information.

Final CIP course grades are issued as letter grades using the following structure.

Passing grades:

H = 80–100% of the available marks

B = 75–79% of the available marks

C = 65–74% of the available marks

D = 60–64% of the available marks

Failing grades:

X = 55–59% of the available marks

Y = 40–54% of the available marks

Z = less than 40% of the available marks

For most CIP courses, the final letter grade is calculated based on a class mark out of 100 and a final exam mark out of 200. (Exception: a few independent study courses use a different calculation – see Independent study with test papers below.) Actual exam marks will not be published.

The class mark includes a midterm exam worth 60%, and the remainder of the marks are made up of a combination of tests and/or assignments. Your instructor or online course information will confirm how the 40% of your class mark will be allocated.

To pass the course, you must achieve a final grade of D or above. A grade of D means that you have achieved a minimum of 55% (110 marks out of 200) on your exam and 60% (180 marks out of 300) on the course overall.

To obtain Honours (H), you must achieve a minimum of 80% (160/200) on your exam and 80% (240/300) on the course overall.

For example:

• If you receive a class mark of 60% (60/100) and the required minimum final exam mark of 55% (110/200) – a total combination mark of 170/300 – you will not receive a passing mark for the course, because you did not achieve the minimum required 60% (180/300) needed to pass the course.
• If you receive a class mark of 90% (90/100) and a final exam mark of 53% (106/200) – a total combination mark of 65%, or 196/300, more than the minimum 180 marks required – you will not receive a passing mark for the course, because you did not achieve the required minimum 55% on the final exam.

If you fail on your first attempt and require a rewrite, your final grade will be based only on your rewrite exam score; the class marks will not be carried over. Rewrite exams are to be written in the next session. Permission must be obtained from the Registrar to defer the exam rewrite. Refer to the Examinations section for information about rewrites.

 

Most CIP independent study courses now include a mandatory online midterm exam and tests, and use the same grade calculation indicated above. But on a transitional basis, a few CIP courses continue to use optional test papers instead of a course mark. This older approach to independent study is being phased out. The following grade calculation applies only where an independent study course did not include an online midterm and tests.

For an independent study course with optional test papers, the final letter grade is calculated based on a final exam mark out of 200 plus up to 10 additional marks if a minimum of two test papers are submitted by the deadline. The test paper mark will be the average of the marks earned on the test papers submitted.

The final grade is therefore based on:

Final exam mark/200 + average of test paper marks/10 = Total/200

If you do not submit test papers, the final letter grade is based on the final exam mark only, out of 200 possible marks.

To pass the course, you must achieve a final grade of D or above. For courses with optional test papers, a grade of D means that you have achieved a minimum of 55% (110 marks out of 200) on your final exam and 60% on the course overall (exam plus test paper marks if awarded).

To obtain Honours (H), you must achieve a minimum of 80% (160/200) on your exam.

For example:

• If you submit two test papers and earn 7/10 marks, you will need a minimum mark of 113/200 on the final exam to receive a passing mark (113+7=120/200, or 60%).
• If you choose not to submit test papers, you will need a minimum mark of 120/200 on the final exam to achieve a passing mark of 60% on the course.

If you fail on your first attempt and require a rewrite, your final grade will be based only on your rewrite exam score; the test paper marks will not be carried over. Rewrite exams are to be written in the next session. Permission must be obtained from the Registrar to defer the exam rewrite. Refer to the Examinations section for information about rewrites.

To complete the program, you must successfully complete all course requirements and have at least one year’s work experience in property and casualty insurance or related financial services. Once you have met these requirements, your name will be put forward for election to CIP status, after which you will be permitted to use the post-nominal letters CIP. The effective date will be indicated in the letter of confirmation.

To qualify for an Honours certificate, you must obtain a minimum of eight (8) Honours grades out of ten (10) subjects. Claiming credits or exemptions may impact your qualification for an Honours CIP certificate.