Final Grade Calculator

Determine what grade you need on the final exam to achieve your target course grade based on current standing.

Final Grade Calculator tool

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Example

Input: Current grade 82%, final exam worth 30% of the course, target course grade 80%

Result: Required Final Exam Score 75.33% (Achievable - solid preparation should get you there)

Required = (80 - 82 x 0.70) / 0.30 = (80 - 57.4) / 0.30 = 75.33%.

  1. Enter your current course grade as a percentage based on all completed assignments.
  2. Specify the weight of the final exam as a percentage of your total course grade from your syllabus.
  3. Set your target course grade - the minimum grade you want to achieve in the course.
  4. Review the required final exam score displayed for your target, and check if it is achievable.
  5. Compare the course grades you would get with 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% on the final, or change the target to test other goals.

What Do I Need on My Final Exam?

The score you need on a final is (target - current x (1 - final weight)) / final weight. With an 82% course grade, a final worth 30% and a target of 80%, you need 75.33% on the final.

It helps to think of your grade in two parts. The work you have done is locked in at 70% of the course, so 82 x 0.70 = 57.4 points are already banked. The final must supply the other 22.6 points out of its 30, which is 75.33%. The tool shows both numbers, so you can see how much of the grade is already settled.

Enter your current grade, the final's weight from your syllabus and the course grade you want. Besides the score you need, you get a plain-language verdict. Needing 0% or less means the target is already secured. Up to 60% is easy and up to 80% is achievable. Up to 100% is challenging. Above that, you would need extra credit or a lower target. You also see the course grade you would end with if you scored 100%, 90%, 80% or 70% on the final.

If more than one task is left, such as a project and the exam, add their weights and use the total as the final weight. The result is then the average you need across all the remaining work. Your current grade should come from the work graded so far. The Grade Calculator can work that out from your categories.

Formula / How It Works

Required final score = (target grade - current grade x (1 - final weight)) / final weight. All values as percentages divided by 100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Set the target to 90 (or your course's A cut-off) and enter your current grade and the final's weight. For example, with an 85% average and a 25% final, you need (90 - 85 x 0.75) / 0.25 = 105%. That is not possible without extra credit. With a 40% final, you would need 97.5%.
It moves your grade by the final's weight times the gap between your final score and your current grade. With an 82% average and a 30% final, a 92 on the final raises you 3 points to 85%. A 62 drops you 6 points to 76%.
Then the target cannot be reached with the final alone. Up to 110%, the tool says you may need extra credit. Above that, it suggests changing your target. Try a lower target to see what is realistic, or ask your teacher about extra credit or dropped scores.
It means you already have your target. Even a 0% on the final would leave you at or above it. The tool shows 0.00% needed and marks the goal as already secured. Check your course rules, though. Some classes require you to take or pass the final to pass the course.

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