How to Use Our Final Grade Calculator
To get your result, you only need three key pieces of information, which you can usually find in your course syllabus or on your online grade portal (like Canvas, Blackboard, or PowerSchool).
Current Grade (%): Enter your current overall grade in the class as a percentage. Do not include assignments that haven’t been graded yet. For example, if your gradebook shows an 88.5%, enter “88.5”.
Desired Grade (%): This is your goal. Enter the final percentage grade you want to achieve for the entire course. For example, if you’re aiming for at least a B, you might enter “83”.
Weight of Final Exam (%): Enter how much your final exam is worth as a percentage of your total grade. Your syllabus should state this clearly (e.g., “Final Exam: 20% of grade”). Enter this as a whole number, like “20”.
Once you’ve filled in these fields, the calculator will tell you the percentage you need to score on your final exam to reach your desired overall grade.
Understanding Your Results
The number the calculator provides is the minimum score you must achieve on your final exam to end the course with your desired grade. Understanding what this number means in practical terms can help you build the right study strategy.
Interpreting Your Target Score
Not all results are created equal. Use this table to understand what your target score means for you.
The Formula Behind the Calculation
The calculator uses a standard formula to determine your required score. Seeing how it works can help you understand the relationship between your grades and the final exam.
The formula is: RequiredScore=FinalWeightDesiredGrade−(CurrentGrade×(1−FinalWeight))
Where:
Required Score: The result you’re looking for.
Desired Grade: The final percentage you want in the class.
Current Grade: Your current percentage.
Final Weight: The weight of your final exam, expressed as a decimal (e.g., 20% = 0.20).
Concrete Example: Let’s say a student has a current grade of 82%, wants to get at least an 85% in the class, and the final exam is worth 25% of the grade.
Convert Final Weight to a decimal: 25
Calculate the weight of the current grade: 1−0.25=0.75 (Your current grade makes up 75% of the final grade).
Plug the values into the formula: RequiredScore=0.2585−(82×0.75)
Solve the equation: RequiredScore=0.2585−61.5 RequiredScore=0.2523.5 RequiredScore=94
This student needs to score a 94% on their final exam to achieve their goal of an 85% overall grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my grade is based on points, not percentages?
If your teacher uses a points system, you first need to convert your current standing into a percentage. You can do this with a simple formula:
CurrentPercentage=(TotalPossiblePointsSoFarYourTotalPointsEarned)×100
Example: If you have earned 420 points out of a possible 500 points so far, your percentage is (420/500)×100=84. You would enter “84” as your current grade.
How can I find the weight of my final exam?
This is the most critical piece of information for the calculation. Here are the best places to look:
The Course Syllabus: This is the most reliable source. Look for a section titled “Grading,” “Assessment,” or “Grade Breakdown.”
The Online Grade Portal: Many systems like Canvas or Blackboard will show grade categories and their weights.
Ask Your Teacher or TA: If you can’t find it, don’t guess. Send a polite email or ask your teacher or a teaching assistant.
What if I have a final exam AND a final project left?
If you have multiple assignments remaining, you can still use the calculator. You just need to combine them.
Add the weights of the remaining assignments together. For example, if your final exam is worth 20% and a final paper is worth 10%, your total remaining weight is 30%. You would enter “30” into the “Weight of Final Exam” field.
The result the calculator gives you will be the weighted average score you need across both assignments. For example, if it says you need a 90%, you could get a 95% on the exam and an 80% on the paper (or any other combination that averages to 90%, weighted correctly).
Is it possible to fail the final exam but still pass the class?
Yes, it is absolutely possible, especially if the final exam has a low weight or if you have a very high grade going into it.
Concrete Example:
Using the calculator, you would find that you need to score a -17.5% on the final. Since you can’t score lower than 0%, this means you could get a 0% on the final and your final grade would still be a 76%, well above passing.
My result says I need over 100%. What should I do?
Getting a result over 100% means that your desired grade is mathematically out of reach based on the final exam alone. While this can be discouraging, here are your next steps:
Talk to Your Teacher: Politely ask if there are any opportunities for extra credit or if there’s any way to review past assignments for potential points back.
Adjust Your Goal: Use the calculator to set a new, realistic goal. See what score you would need to get the next-lowest grade (e.g., a B+ instead of an A-).
Focus on Learning: Shift your focus from the grade to mastering the material. Do your absolute best on the final to maximize your grade and, more importantly, to prepare yourself for future courses.
What’s a good study strategy if I need a high score on my final?
If the calculator shows you need a 90% or higher, you’ll need an effective study plan.
Start Early: Do not wait until the night before. Create a study schedule and stick to it.
Use Active Recall: Don’t just re-read your notes. Quiz yourself with flashcards, do practice problems without looking at the answers, and try to explain concepts out loud to someone else.
Take Official Practice Tests: Simulate the exam environment. Time yourself and take it in one sitting without distractions. This is the best way to find your weak spots.
Go to Office Hours: Your teacher or TA is your best resource. Come prepared with specific questions about topics you’re struggling with.
How does a “curve” affect my grade?
A “curve” can mean different things. Sometimes, a teacher curves a single test by adding a certain number of points to everyone’s score. Other times, they may curve the final course grades. If your teacher is curving the final exam, you can still use the calculator, but remember that the score you need might be lower than the raw score you earn. If they curve the final course grade, the calculation becomes less predictable. It’s always best to aim for the score the calculator gives you and treat any curve as a potential bonus.
What is a “cumulative” final exam?
A cumulative final exam is one that covers all the material from the entire semester, not just the most recent unit. This means your study plan needs to be much broader. Start your review with the earliest material, as that is what you are most likely to have forgotten.
The calculator gave me a negative number. What does that mean?
A negative result is great news! It means you have already earned enough points in the class to achieve your desired grade. Even if you received a 0% on the final exam, your overall grade would not drop below your goal.
Can I use this calculator for my university/college classes?
Yes. The mathematics of grade weighting are the same for high school and college. As long as your course grade is based on weighted percentages, this calculator will work perfectly.
After figuring out what you need on your final, you might want to see how this grade will affect your overall academic standing. Use our Weighted GPA Calculator to see the impact on your cumulative GPA. If you’re planning your courses for next semester, our College GPA Calculator can help you set goals for the future.
