Final Grade Calculator
See what you need on your final for every letter grade, or what your grade will be after it. Works for weighted finals, points, dropped tests and finals in parts.
to get a B (83%)
Doable. That's 12 points above your current 80%.
Show the math
How the final grade calculator works
Your course grade is a weighted average: everything before the final counts for (100% − the final's weight), and the final counts for the rest. To find what you need, the calculator works that average backwards from your goal.
Example 1: what do I need for an A−?
You have an 85% and the final is worth 20%. For a 90% (A−): (90 − 85 × 0.8) ÷ 0.2 = (90 − 68) ÷ 0.2 = 110%. That's not possible without extra credit. The best you can reach is 88% (B+).
Example 2: what if I fail the final?
You have a 77% and the final is worth 20%. A 0 on the final gives 77 × 0.8 = 61.6%: a D−, which still passes at 60% but not where you need 70%.
Questions
What do I need on my final?
Enter your current grade, how much the final is worth and the grade you want. The calculator shows the score you need for that grade and for every other letter, so you can see at a glance what an A, a B, a C or a pass would take.
How is a final grade calculated?
It's a weighted average. If the final is worth 25%, your grade before the final counts for the other 75%: course grade = current × 0.75 + final × 0.25. With an 80% now and an 88% on the final, that's 60 + 22 = 82%.
How much is a final exam usually worth?
It varies by class. Many syllabi put the final somewhere around 10–30% of the grade, and some college courses weight it more. Your syllabus or your teacher has the exact number. If your class uses points, choose "My class uses points" and the calculator works out the weight for you.
What happens if I fail the final?
Type 0 into the "What if I get…" box to see your grade with a zero. With a 77% and a final worth 20%, a 0 leaves you at 61.6%. The bigger the final's weight, the more a bad final pulls you down.
What if I need more than 100%?
Then your goal can't be reached with the final alone. The calculator shows the best grade you can still get with a perfect final. Ask your teacher about extra credit, or aim for the next letter down. If it says you need 0% or less, you're safe: even a zero keeps that grade.
How much will one low score affect my grade?
It depends on its weight. A 60 on a test worth 10% of your grade, when you have a 94, gives 94 × 0.9 + 60 × 0.1 = 90.6%. The drop is the weight times the gap: 10% × (94 − 60) = 3.4 points.
What is a passing grade?
On most US scales a D− (60%) is the lowest passing grade. Many colleges need a C (70%) for pass/fail courses, courses in your major and graduate classes, so you can set the pass mark to 70% under "Grading scale". The US grading scale page compares the common scales.
Does the final count as a test?
In some classes the final is just another grade in the test category instead of having its own weight. Check your syllabus. If it does, choose "The final counts as a test" and enter your test average and how many tests you've taken.
What is a cumulative final?
A cumulative final covers everything from the whole course, not just the last unit. It's often weighted more than a regular test, which is why it's worth knowing exactly what score you need before you plan your studying.
How do I calculate my semester grade?
Multiply each part by its weight and add them up. If quarter 1 and quarter 2 are 40% each and the final is 20%: semester grade = Q1 × 0.4 + Q2 × 0.4 + final × 0.2. The semester grade calculator does this for you and shows what you need on the final for each letter.