Just last week, I was chatting with a Grade 9 student named Sarah. She was kinda shrugging off her upcoming EQAO test. Like, she told me "Oh, my older brother said EQAO does not matter at all. It is just for the school." I had to sort of stop her right there. I was like, "Actually Sarah, things have totally changed since your brother took it." The truth is, the Grade 9 EQAO math assessment now officially counts for 10 to 30% of your final MTH1W course grade. So yeah, it is kinda a big deal now.
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Book a free trial classThe big misconception
Parents and students most often misunderstand this because of how it used to be. For years, EQAO was just a provincial check-in. It did not really impact your report card. But starting recently, the EQAO rules shifted. Now, it literally forms a huge chunk of your final mark. So if you bomb the EQAO, your 85% could drop to a 75% just like that.
What we actually do to prepare
When Sarah heard this, she sort of panicked. But I told her not to stress. Like, we just walk through the exact format of the online test first. We calm the nerves by making it familiar. The first thing we focus on is getting used to the digital tools EQAO uses. Then we tackle the specific gaps in her MTH1W knowledge. It is all about steady, consistent practice. Sort of like training for a marathon.
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Book a free trial classWhat schools get wrong
One thing I believe schools kinda get wrong is that they just do a couple of practice days at the end of the year and call it prep. That is not enough. You need to be weaving EQAO-style questions into your studying all semester. Like, do not wait until June to figure out how they ask the questions.
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Book a free trial classFrequently asked questions
Does Grade 9 EQAO count toward my mark?
Yes. It counts for 10 to 30% of your final MTH1W grade. So it is kinda a big deal now.
Why did they change it?
To make sure kids take it seriously. It sort of gives a real picture of how they are doing.
What if I do really badly on it?
Well, it can drop your final mark. But like, you can totally prepare for it and boost your score. Check out our full EQAO Grade 9 prep guide for more details.