Final Grade Calculator
Required final score = (target grade − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight, so with an 84% average and a final worth 30%, you need (85 − 84 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = 87.33% on the final to finish the class with 85%. You also see your grade if you score 0% or 100%.
By the Calculators With Steps team · Updated November 10, 2026 · How we check our math
- Grade if you score 100% on the final
- 88.8%
- Grade if you score 0% on the final
- 58.8%
- Points already banked
- 58.8 of 70current grade × weight of coursework
- Each 10% on the final adds
- 3 points
Step-by-step working
- Coursework counts for 100% − 30% = 70% of the grade
- Points banked = 84 × 0.7 = 58.8
- Points still needed = 85 − 58.8 = 26.2
- Required final score = 26.2 ÷ 0.3 = 87.33%
Final exam score needed for each letter grade
| Target grade | Needed on final | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| A (90%) | 104% | Not possible (over 100%) |
| B (80%) | 70.67% | Possible |
| C (70%) | 37.33% | Possible |
| D (60%) | 4% | Possible |
Assumes your current grade already reflects everything except the final and that the class uses a simple weighted average. Letter cut-offs here use the common 90/80/70/60 scale; check your syllabus.
How to use the final grade calculator
- Enter your current grade in the class as a percentage, before the final. Your online gradebook usually shows it.
- Enter the final exam weight: the share of the course grade the final is worth, from your syllabus.
- Enter the grade you want to finish the class with, such as 90 for an A or 80 for a B.
The result shows the score you need on the final, your grade if you score 100% or 0%, and a table of the scores needed for an A (90%), B (80%), C (70%) and D (60%). Open the step-by-step box to see the working.
Final exam grade formula
Your course grade is a weighted average of the work done so far and the final exam:
Course grade = C × (1 − w) + F × w
Rearranged to find the final exam score you need:
F = (T − C × (1 − w)) ÷ w
- F is the score you need on the final (%)
- T is the course grade you want (%)
- C is your current grade (%)
- w is the final exam weight as a decimal (30% = 0.30)
Worked example
Say your current grade is 84%, the final is worth 30% and you want 85%.
- Coursework counts for 70% of the grade, so you have banked 84 × 0.7 = 58.8 points.
- You need 85 − 58.8 = 26.2 more points from the final.
- The final is worth 30 points in total, so you need 26.2 ÷ 0.3 = 87.33%.
The same student’s targets for each letter grade:
| Target grade | Score needed on the final | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| A (90%) | 104% | Not possible without extra credit |
| B (80%) | 70.67% | Possible |
| C (70%) | 37.33% | Possible |
| D (60%) | 4% | Possible |
A perfect final would lift this student to 88.8%, and a zero would drop them to 58.8%. Every 10 percentage points on the final moves the course grade by 3 points.
What the result means
- Over 100%. The target is out of reach unless the teacher offers extra credit or a curve. Look at the next grade down.
- Between 90% and 100%. Possible, but it leaves no room for mistakes. Plan your study time around it.
- Below your usual test scores. You are in good shape. Keep revising so you don’t slip below it.
- Already secured. Even a 0% on the final keeps you at or above the target. You still need to sit the exam if your school requires it to pass the course.
How much the final can move your grade depends on its weight. A final worth 20% can change your grade by at most 20 points. One worth 50% can make or break the semester. With a 65% average and a final worth 50%, the best possible result is 82.5%.
If your class uses points or categories
Some classes add up points instead of percentages. Convert them first. Your current grade is points earned so far divided by points possible so far, and the final’s weight is its points divided by the course total. A 200-point final in a 1,000-point course has a weight of 20%.
If your grade is split into weighted categories such as homework, quizzes and tests, work out the current grade with the grade calculator first, then use that number here.
Tips
- Check whether your school rounds. Some teachers round 89.5% up to an A-, and others don’t.
- Confirm the final’s weight and whether it can replace a low test score. Some syllabi let the final count more if it helps you.
- Once grades are in, see how the course affects your overall average with the GPA calculator.
Final Grade Calculator: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Use required score = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight, with the weight as a decimal. With a current grade of 84%, a final worth 30% and a target of 85%, that is (85 − 84 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = 87.33%.
What is the formula for a final grade?
Final grade = current grade × (1 − final weight) + final exam score × final weight. With 84% before a final worth 30%, scoring 80% on the final gives 84 × 0.7 + 80 × 0.3 = 82.8%.
What if I need more than 100% on the final?
Then the target can't be reached without extra credit. With a 65% average and a final worth 50%, an A (90%) would need 115% on the final. A perfect 100% would bring you to 82.5%, so aim for a B instead.
Can I get a zero on the final and still pass?
Sometimes. If you have 85% and the final is worth 20%, a zero on the final still leaves you with 68%, which is a D on a 90/80/70/60 scale. The calculator labels such a target as already secured.
What do I need on my final to get an A?
It depends on your current grade and the final's weight. With a 92% average and a final worth 25%, you need 84% to keep a 90% A. With 95% and a final worth 20%, 70% is enough.
How do I calculate my final grade from two semesters and a final exam?
Multiply each part by its weight and add them up. If semester 1 (88%) and semester 2 (92%) count 40% each and the final exam (85%) counts 20%, the course grade is 88 × 0.4 + 92 × 0.4 + 85 × 0.2 = 89%.
My class uses points. How do I find the final's weight?
Divide the final's points by the total points in the course. A 200-point final in a 1,000-point course is worth 20%. Your current grade is the points you've earned so far divided by the points possible so far.
How we checked this page: every figure in the examples and FAQs above is produced by this calculator and verified by automated tests against known answers, and the rules and rates come from the sources below. Last updated . Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Sources and further reading