Final Grade Calculator
Find out exactly what you need on the final exam. Enter your current grade, the grade you want, and how much the final is worth.
You need on the final
| Target course grade | Score needed on final |
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How to use the final grade calculator
- Enter your current grade in the class as a percentage. Your syllabus or online gradebook usually shows it.
- Enter the overall grade you are aiming for (for example 90 for an A, or 80 for a B on a standard scale).
- Enter how much the final exam counts toward your course grade. Check the syllabus; 20–40% is typical.
- The calculator shows the score you need, plus a table for every letter grade.
How the final exam math works
Your course grade is a weighted average: your current grade counts for everything except the final, and the final counts for its weight. If the final is worth 25%, then course grade = 0.75 × current grade + 0.25 × final score. Solving for the final score gives (target − 0.75 × current) ÷ 0.25, which is exactly what this calculator does with your numbers.
The heavier the final, the more it can move your grade in either direction. With a 40% final, a strong exam can lift a C to a B, but a bad day can drop an A to a B. If the score you need is over 100%, the target is out of reach unless your class offers extra credit or curves the exam. If it is very low, you have some breathing room, but a zero would still hurt.
Use the result to plan your study time. If you need a 92 in one class and a 61 in another, the first class deserves most of your review hours. And remember that this assumes your current grade already includes every assignment except the final; if homework or a project is still outstanding, your current grade will change.
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Frequently asked questions
What if the score I need is over 100%?
Then you cannot reach that grade on the final alone. Check whether there is extra credit, a curve, or remaining assignments that could raise your current grade.
Does this work with weighted categories?
Yes, as long as your current grade already reflects the category weights (most online gradebooks show this). Enter that overall percentage.
What if my class uses points instead of percentages?
Convert to a percentage first: points earned divided by points possible so far, times 100. The final weight is the final exam's points divided by total course points.
Is a 90% always an A?
On the common US scale, 90–100 is an A, 80–89 a B, 70–79 a C and 60–69 a D, but some schools use plus/minus grades or different cutoffs. Use your syllabus's scale.