How to Calculate Your Final Grade

Our calculator uses the weighted grade system common in most high school and college courses. Follow these steps to find your target exam score.

Step 1: Set Your Goal

• Desired Grade: First, enter the overall grade you are aiming for in the class. You can enter this as a percentage (e.g., 90 for an A-) or a letter grade.

Step 2: Enter Your Current Grades & Weights

Look at your course syllabus to find the weight of each assignment category. In the main table, enter a row for each graded part of your course that you’ve already completed.

• Assessment / Category: The name of the assignment category (e.g., “Homework,” “Midterm,” “Quizzes,” “Participation”).

• Grade (%): Your current average score in that category.

• Weight (%): How much this category is worth as a percentage of your total grade.

Step 3: Enter Your Final Exam’s Weight

In the last row, enter the name and weight of your final exam, but leave the “Grade” field blank. The calculator will solve for this missing grade. The weights of all categories combined must add up to 100%.

Understanding Your Target Grade

The calculator provides a clear target for your final exam. Here’s a breakdown of the result and the math behind it.

The Grade You Need

The primary result is a clear, actionable statement: To get an [A (90%)] in this course, you need to score at least a [XX.XX%] on your final exam.

How Weighted Grades Work

Your final course grade isn’t a simple average of all your scores; it’s a weighted average. This means some assignments are more important than others. A final exam worth 40% of your grade has a much bigger impact than homework that is worth only 10%. The “weight” tells you exactly how much each category contributes to your final score.

Sample Calculation Walkthrough

Let’s see how it works for a student at the University of Houston aiming for a B (85%) in a class.

Course Breakdown from Syllabus:

• Homework: 15% Weight

• Quizzes: 20% Weight

• Midterm Exam: 25% Weight

• Final Exam: 40% Weight

Student’s Current Scores:

• Homework Average: 92%

• Quiz Average: 88%

• Midterm Score: 78%

Calculation Steps:

1. Calculate points earned from completed work:

   • Homework: $92\%\times 15\%=92\times 0.15=13.8$ points

   • Quizzes: $88\%\times 20\%=88\times 0.20=17.6$ points

   • Midterm: $78\%\times 25\%=78\times 0.25=19.5$ points

   • Total points earned so far: $13.8+17.6+19.5=50.9$ points

2. Calculate points needed for the goal:

   • The student wants an 85%. They need $85-50.9=34.1$ more points.

   • These points must come from the final exam, which is worth 40%.

3. Find the required exam score:

   • Let $X$ be the required final exam score.

   • $X\times 40\%=34.1$

   • $X\times 0.40=34.1$

   • $X=34.1÷0.40=85.25$

The student needs to score at least an 85.25% on the final exam to get a B in the class.

Your Final Grade Questions Answered

What if the calculator says I need over 100% on the final?

This means that based on the weights of your assignments and your current scores, your desired grade is mathematically impossible to achieve. While this can be disheartening, it provides clarity. You should immediately use the calculator again, but this time, enter 100 into the final exam grade field. This will calculate the best possible grade you can achieve. This gives you a new, realistic target to work toward.

I can’t find the weights for my class in the syllabus. What do I do?

The grade weights are essential for an accurate calculation. If they aren’t in the syllabus, check the course’s main page on your school’s online portal (like Canvas or Blackboard). If you still can’t find them, your next step should be to email your professor or Teaching Assistant (TA). A simple, polite email asking for the grade breakdown is perfectly acceptable. Do not guess the weights.

What’s the difference between a points-based and a weighted system?

• Weighted System (Percentage-based): This is what our calculator uses. The course is broken into categories, and each category is worth a percentage of the final grade (e.g., Homework 20%, Final 40%).

• Points-based System: The professor assigns a certain number of points to every assignment. Your final grade is the total points you earned divided by the total possible points for the entire semester. To use our calculator with a points system, you can convert the points to weights (e.g., if a final is worth 200 points out of 1000 total, its weight is 20%).

My professor “drops the lowest grade.” How do I account for that?

You need to manually calculate your corrected average for that category before entering it into the calculator.

Concrete Example: You have five quiz grades: 80, 85, 90, 60, 95. Your professor drops the lowest grade (the 60).

• Incorrect Average: $(80+85+90+60+95)÷5=82\%$

• Correct Average (after dropping the 60): $(80+85+90+95)÷4=87.5\%$ You would enter 87.5 as your grade for the “Quizzes” category.

My target grade seems impossible. What’s the best strategy for my final?

Facing a tough final can be overwhelming, but a smart plan can make a huge difference.

1. Start Early: Do not wait until the night before. Create a study schedule spanning several days.

2. Focus on High-Impact Topics: Review past exams, quizzes, and study guides. Professors often test on the same core concepts they’ve emphasized all semester.

3. Attend Review Sessions: Professors often drop major hints about the exam’s content in the final review session.

4. Prioritize Sleep: A well-rested brain performs significantly better than a sleep-deprived one. Cramming all night is one of the least effective ways to study.

What if my final exam has a “curve”?

A grading curve is an adjustment made to scores after the exam is completed, often to adjust for an unexpectedly difficult test. It’s impossible to predict how or if a professor will curve the grades. Your best strategy is to ignore the potential for a curve and aim for the highest possible raw score. Think of a potential curve as a bonus, not a safety net.

How does this one class affect my overall GPA?

The impact of a single class on your overall GPA depends on its credit hours. Getting an ‘A’ in a 4-credit lab course will boost your GPA more than getting an ‘A’ in a 1-credit seminar. After you determine your final grade in this class, you can use it to calculate your new semester and cumulative GPA.

What should I do if I’m really struggling in a class?

Be proactive. The worst thing you can do is wait and hope things improve.

• Talk to Your Professor: Visit them during office hours. They can offer advice, explain difficult concepts, and point you toward resources.

• Use Campus Resources: Nearly all universities have an academic support or tutoring center that is free for students.

• Form a Study Group: Working with classmates can help you see problems from a different perspective.

Does extra credit factor into this calculation?

It’s safest not to include potential extra credit in your calculation. Extra credit is often applied at the professor’s discretion at the very end of the semester and may not be guaranteed. Calculate your grade based on the required coursework, and let any extra credit be a pleasant surprise that pushes your grade even higher.

Take Control of Your Academic Standing

Knowing your target grade is the first step. Use our other tools to manage your academic career.

• After you figure out your final course grade, see how it will impact your semester and cumulative GPA with our GPA Calculator.

• If your high school or college uses a weighted scale for advanced courses, use our Weighted GPA Calculator to see the bigger picture.

• Stressed about finals week in school? Read this guide on Effective Study Techniques for College Finals.