Productive ToolboxFinal Grade Calculator
Find the score you need on your final exam to reach the course grade you want, or see what grade a given final score will give you.
Share of the course grade the final counts for
You need on the final
110%
Not reachable without extra credit
to finish with 90%
| Course grade | Score needed |
|---|---|
| A (90%+) | Out of reach |
| B (80%+) | 60% |
| C (70%+) | 10% |
| D (60%+) | Secured |
Next step
Related tools
The Final Exam Formula
Your course grade is a weighted average of the grade you have so far and your final exam score. If the final counts for w of the course (as a decimal, so 25% is 0.25), everything before it counts for 1 − w.
Course grade = current × (1 − w) + final × w
Final needed = (goal − current × (1 − w)) ÷ w
Example: with 88% in the class and a final worth 25%, you need (90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 96% for an A (90%), and 56% to keep a B (80%).
How to Use the Final Grade Calculator
- 1Enter your current grade: Type your grade in the class so far, as a percentage, from your syllabus or online gradebook.
- 2Enter the final's weight: Type how much the final exam counts toward the course grade, such as 20% or 30%.
- 3Choose your goal: Enter the course grade you want to finish with to see the final exam score you need, plus the score needed for an A, B, C and D.
- 4Or check a score: Switch to the other mode and enter a final exam score to see the course grade it would give you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the grade I need on my final?
Required score = (goal − current grade × (1 − w)) ÷ w, where w is the final's weight as a decimal. With an 85% in the class, a final worth 20% and a goal of 90%, you need (90 − 85 × 0.8) ÷ 0.2 = 110% — out of reach without extra credit. For an 88% goal you would need 100%, and for 80% only 60%.
What if the score I need is over 100%?
Then the goal cannot be reached with the final alone unless your teacher offers extra credit or bonus points. Aim for the next grade down; the table shows the score needed for each letter grade.
What if the score I need is negative?
Then you have already secured that grade: even a zero on the final keeps you at or above it, as long as you take the exam and your course has no minimum-score rule for the final.
What grade will I get if I score a certain mark on the final?
Course grade = current grade × (1 − w) + final score × w. With 85% in the class and a 20% final, a 70% on the final gives 85 × 0.8 + 70 × 0.2 = 82%.
Does this work with points-based or weighted categories?
Yes, as long as you use your current grade as a percentage and the share of the course grade the final is worth. If your class uses total points, the final's weight is its points divided by the course's total points.
Which percentage is an A, B or C?
The table uses the common US cut-offs: A from 90%, B from 80%, C from 70% and D from 60%. Schools and teachers vary, and many add plus and minus grades, so check your syllabus.
Related Tools
GPA Calculator
Weighted, unweighted and cumulative GPA on the 4.0 scale.
Percentage Calculator
Find percentage, increase, decrease.
Average Calculator
Calculate the arithmetic mean of numbers instantly.
Date Calculator
Add or subtract days, weeks, months, years or business days from a date.
Ideal Weight Calculator
Compare ideal body weight using multiple formulas.
Body Fat Calculator
Estimate body fat percentage with US Navy and BMI methods.
Daily Calorie Calculator
Calories needed for maintenance or weight loss.
Discount Calculator
Calculate price after discount.
Age Calculator
Calculate exact age, days lived, and next birthday from date of birth.
BMI Calculator
Body mass index.
Aspect Ratio Calculator
Calculate dimensions based on aspect ratio.
Timestamp/Unix Converter
Convert Unix Epoch to human-readable dates.