Final grade calculator

If the final is worth w (as a fraction, such as 0.30 for 30%), your course grade after the final will be:

course grade = current × (1 − w) + final × w

Solving for the final exam score gives:

needed = (goal − current × (1 − w)) / w

The calculator shows each step with your numbers. If the result is above 100%, the goal can't be reached without extra credit. If it's 0% or less, you'll reach your goal even if you skip the final, though that's rarely a good idea.

Your current grade is 85%, you want a 90%, and the final is worth 30%.

1. needed = (90 − 85 × 0.70) / 0.30
2. = (90 − 59.5) / 0.30
3. = 30.5 / 0.30 = 101.67%

That's above 100%, so a 90% isn't reachable from here without extra credit. The table under the result shows what is: an 88% course grade needs about 95% on the final, and an 87% (B+) needs about 91.67%.

Your current grade is 78%, you want an 80%, and the final is worth 20%.

• needed = (80 − 78 × 0.80) / 0.20 = (80 − 62.4) / 0.20 = 88%.

And if you're ahead: with a current 91%, aiming for 90% with the final worth 25%, you need (90 − 68.25) / 0.25 = 87%. A lower score on the final will drop you below 90%.

Below the result, the calculator lists the final exam score needed for each course grade from A+ down to D−, using the common scale (A 93+, A− 90, B+ 87, B 83 and so on). Grades you can't reach are marked "not reachable", and grades you've already secured are marked accordingly. This helps you set a realistic target and decide how to split study time between classes.

If your school uses a different scale, read the percentage column and apply your own cutoffs.

• Your current grade must exclude the final. Use the grade before the final, as shown in your gradebook, and make sure it already includes all other weighted categories.
• Missing grades. If homework or a project still hasn't been graded, your current grade will change before the final counts. Estimate it, or use the grade calculator to recompute your current grade with the expected scores.
• Final replaces a test. Some teachers let the final replace your lowest test score. That changes the weights, so this simple formula no longer applies.
• Minimum final score. Some courses require a minimum score on the final to pass regardless of your average.
• Rounding. If your teacher rounds 89.5% up to 90%, you can aim slightly lower.

Knowing the exact score you need can take some pressure off, or show you where to focus. If the needed score is very high, talk to your teacher early: ask about extra credit, retakes, or which topics carry the most weight. Your inputs are saved in the link, so you can bookmark it or share it with a study group with the Share button. Your school's gradebook is always the official record.

Your current grade is 62%, you need at least a 60% (D−) to pass, and the final is worth 25%.

• needed = (60 − 62 × 0.75) / 0.25 = (60 − 46.5) / 0.25 = 54%.

So a 54% on the final keeps you at 60%. If your school requires a C (70%) to pass the course or to count it toward a major, check that row in the table instead: here it would need 94%.