Education • Grades
Final Grade Calculator
Find the exact score you need on your final exam to reach your target grade.
Direct Answer
To find the score needed on your final exam, use the formula: Needed Score = [Target Grade − (Current Grade × (1 − Final Weight))] ÷ Final Weight. For example, if you have an 88% and want a 90% with a 20% final, you need 98% on the exam.
| Assignment | Weight % | Score % |
|---|
Final grade
Total weight
0%
Normalized to 100%
Formula: Final = Σ(score × weight /100), normalized if weights ≠100. Letters: A+97 A93 A-90 B+87 B83 B-80 C+77 C73 C-70 D+67 D63 D-60.
How to use
- 1Enter your current grade in the class as a percentage.
- 2Enter the weight of the final exam (e.g., 30% of your total grade).
- 3Enter your target grade, and the calculator shows the exact score needed on the final to reach it.
Final Exam Score Formula
Final Exam Score Needed = [Target Grade − (Current Grade × (1 − Final Weight))] ÷ Final Weight
Where weights are expressed as decimals (e.g. 25% = 0.25)| Variable | Name | Meaning & Example |
|---|---|---|
| G_target | Target Grade | Desired final course percentage score (90%) |
| G_current | Current Grade | Existing grade percentage before final exam (85%) |
| W_final | Final Exam Weight | Percentage of total grade decided by final exam (20% (0.20)) |
Variable Definitions:
- Target Grade: The final percentage you want to achieve in the class (e.g., 90% for an A, 80% for a B).
- Current Grade: Your current percentage average on completed assignments and midterms.
- Final Weight: The percentage of your overall class grade that the final exam is worth (as a decimal, e.g. 30% = 0.30).
- (1 − Final Weight): The proportion of the grade already completed (e.g. 1 − 0.30 = 0.70).
Examples
Need 90% in Class (Grade A), Currently at 86%, Final Exam Worth 25%
Step 1: Identify inputs: Target = 90%, Current = 86%, Weight = 0.25 (1 − Weight = 0.75).
Step 2: Multiply current grade by completed weight: 86 × 0.75 = 64.5 points earned.
Step 3: Subtract from target: 90 − 64.5 = 25.5 points needed from final exam.
Step 4: Divide points needed by final exam weight: 25.5 ÷ 0.25 = 102.0%.
Result: You need 102% on the final to get an A (extra credit required).
Score Needed: 102.0% on Final Exam
Need 80% in Class (Grade B), Currently at 78%, Final Exam Worth 30%
Step 1: Identify inputs: Target = 80%, Current = 78%, Weight = 0.30 (1 − Weight = 0.70).
Step 2: Completed points: 78 × 0.70 = 54.6 points.
Step 3: Points needed: 80 − 54.6 = 25.4 points.
Step 4: Divide by final weight: 25.4 ÷ 0.30 = 84.67%.
Result: An 84.7% on the final secures a B in the class.
Score Needed: 84.67% on Final Exam
About
Frequently asked questions
What if the required final score is above 100%?
How does a zero on the final exam affect my grade?
Current Grade × (1 − Final Weight). For instance, an 80% with a 30% final drops to 56% (F).