Final Grade Calculator
Find the score you need on your final exam to reach the course grade you want, for an A, B, C or just a pass.
Score needed on the final for 85%
94%
You need 94% on the final to finish with 85%.
Shaded: where you can still finish (0% to 100% on the final). Drag the dot to try a score; the flag is your target.
- If you ace the final (100%)
- 86.5% overall
- If you skip it (0%)
- 61.5% overall
How it’s worked outNeeded = (Target − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight
- The final is worth 25% = 0.25, so everything before it counts for 1 − 0.25 = 0.75.
- Your current grade contributes 82 × 0.75 = 61.5 points.
- The final has to make up the rest: 85 − 61.5 = 23.5 points.
- 23.5 ÷ 0.25 = 94% needed on the final.
How this works: Method,
How this works
Method
The score you need is (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight, where weight is the final’s share of the course grade. The same formula gives the score needed for the usual cut-offs of 90% (A), 80% (B), 70% (C) and 60% (a pass), and 0% and 100% on the final give the lowest and highest grade you can still finish with.
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Changes
- Redesigned: the scores needed for an A, B, C or a pass at once, a range showing where you can still land with a score you can drag, and the working shown step by step.
- Results now update as you type, with no Calculate button.
- First published.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the required final exam grade calculated?
The formula is: Required Score = (Desired Grade - Current Grade x (1 - Final Weight)) / Final Weight. For example, if your current grade is 85%, you want a 90%, and the final is worth 20%, you need: (90 - 85 x 0.8) / 0.2 = 110%. This means the desired grade is not achievable.
What if the required score is over 100%?
If the calculator shows a score above 100%, it means your desired grade is mathematically impossible to achieve with the given final exam weight. You may need to lower your target grade or look for extra credit opportunities to make up the difference.
How does the final exam weight affect the required score?
A higher final exam weight means the exam has more influence on your overall grade, making it easier to raise (or lower) your grade significantly. Conversely, a lower weight means you need a more extreme score to change your grade. For example, a 40% weighted final gives you more room to improve than a 10% final.
What grade do I need on my final to pass the class?
Enter your current grade percentage, your minimum passing grade (usually 60% or 70% depending on your institution), and the weight of your final exam. The calculator will tell you the exact score needed. If the result is 0% or negative, you have already secured a passing grade.
Can I use this for midterms or other weighted exams?
Yes. This calculator works for any weighted assessment, not just final exams. Simply enter your current grade before the exam, your target grade, and the weight of the specific exam you are preparing for. The formula applies to any single weighted component of your course grade.