Obtaining Grade 12 Equivalents for Admission

Get ready for College!

Your success at Mohawk is our priority. In order to ensure that you are able to manage the reading, writing and communications requirements for your courses, all full-time certificate and diploma programs require Grade 12 English (or equivalent) as an entry requirement. Most Technology, Business and Health Science programs also require appropriate math and/or science courses.

Complete the Program Prerequisites

Some Mohawk programs require applicants to demonstrate that they have completed specific Grade 12 courses. Alternatively, applicants must demonstrate that they have completed an equivalent.

Please note that while these options qualify applicants to attend Mohawk certificate and diploma programs, they are not sufficient for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Sciences run collaboratively with McMaster University.

The following table lists some of the opportunities available for academic upgrading to the Grade 12 level

CourseRequirementOptions Available
EnglishGrade 11-12
MathGrade 10-12
SciencesSenior Sciences

ACE Academic Upgrading Program - Available at Mohawk and Online

Tuition-free programs that provide participants with the opportunity to upgrade their academic skills to reach their personal goals of further education, employment or training.

Mohawk Continuing Education Courses

Visit Mohawk's Continuing Education website

Note:

General Education Development Certificate (GED)

The GED is a high school equivalent certificate, relative to:

  • Grade 12 English (College Preparation)
  • Grade 10 Math (Applied)

Note:

  • Even with a GED, it may still be necessary to complete additional math or science courses to be eligible for specific programs at Mohawk.
  • This option is NOT sufficient as a prerequisite for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Medical Radiation Sciences degree programs, or Mohawk Applied degrees.
  • The current Canadian version of the GED will remain available until Spring 2024 since Pearson Vue GED Testing Service is ending their testing service in Canada.

    The ministry is currently exploring future opportunities and will provide an update when available. Please visit the Government of Ontario website for more details.

Local Boards of Education

St. Charles Adult Education (HWCDSB)
St. Charles Adult Education offers courses at several locations in Hamilton. St. Charles provides a variety of secondary school courses leading to an Ontario secondary school diploma (OSSD). Grade 12 English courses are available. For further information visit St. Charles Adult Education (opens new window).

Adult Continuing Education (HWDSB)
The HWDSB provides high school completion, including courses at the Grade 12(U) level. For further information phone 905-561-2190 or visit HWDSB (opens new window).

If you live outside of Hamilton, contact your local District School Board to see what courses are offered at their Adult Education service.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Applicants

If English is not your first language, you can find out your current language level by taking one the following tests:

  • PTE (Pearson Test of English)
  • IELTS
  • TOEFL
  • CLBPT
  • Accuplacer

 

Please check the Admission requirements for each program you might be interested in to see which test is acceptable.

Your CLBPT (benchmark) scores are valid for 24 months from the date of your last assessment. *This timeline extension is being supported due to COVID-19 and is subject to change.

International Credentials Evaluation

Provides various services relating to translating and/or determining Canadian equivalents to academic credentials received internationally.

World Education Services (WES)
Visit WES (opens new window)

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
Visit ICAS (opens new window)

University of Toronto: Comparative Education Service
Visit University of Toronto: Comparative Education Service (opens new window)