Final Grade Calculator

This calculator tells you what you need on your final exam to finish a course with the grade you want. It also handles a final that replaces your lowest test.

How it’s calculated

Your course grade is your current grade at its share of the course, plus your final at its weight. Solving that for the final gives:

The weight is written as a decimal, so 40% is 0.40. If your final also replaces your lowest test, it counts for both weights, and that test’s points come out of your current grade:

Worked example

Your current grade is 85%, the final is worth 40% of the course, and you want to finish with 90%:

1. Find what you’ve already earned: 85 × (1 − 0.40) = 85 × 0.60 = 51 points.
2. Subtract that from your target: 90 − 51 = 39 points still needed.
3. Divide by the final’s weight: 39 ÷ 0.40 = 97.5.

You need 97.5% on the final.

The same course needs 72.5% for a B, 47.5% for a C and 22.5% for a D. A perfect final would leave you with 91%, and a zero with 51%.

When the final replaces your lowest test

Say your current grade is 80%, the final is worth 30%, you want 85%, and your lowest test is a 60 worth 15% of the course. Without the replacement, you would need 96.7%. With it, you need:

1. Start with what you’ve earned: 80 × 0.70 = 56 points.
2. Take the test’s points out of the calculation: 85 − 56 + (60 × 0.15) = 38.
3. Divide by both weights: 38 ÷ (0.30 + 0.15) = 84.44, which rounds up to 84.5.

You need 84.5% on the final, more than 12 points less.

If you have several exams left or a passing mark to clear, our guide to the grade you need on your final works through those cases too.

Most common US grade scale

The result table uses these cut-offs. Your school may use others, and many use plus and minus grades, so check your syllabus.

Common questions