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Works with percentages, 20-point scales or any maximum score.
Final Grade Calculator
Find out exactly what you need on the final exam to finish the course with the grade you want, plus what happens if you score zero. Works with percent grades or any other scale.
-Score you need on the final
-As a percentage
-Course grade if you score 0
The formula
Your course grade is a weighted average of the grade you have now and the final exam. With w as the final's weight (as a decimal):
- Course grade = current × (1 − w) + final × w
- Score needed on the final = (target − current × (1 − w)) ÷ w
Worked example
You have an 84%, want a 90%, and the final is worth 30%. You need (90 − 84 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = (90 − 58.8) ÷ 0.3 = 104%. That is out of reach, so the table shows what you can still get: an 85% target needs 87.3% on the final, and an 80% target only needs 70.7%.
Using other grading scales
Set the maximum score to 20 for the French système de notation sur 20, 10 for Spain and much of Latin America, or 4 if your teacher reports the average on a GPA-style scale. The math is identical on every scale; only the labels change.
Limitations
This assumes your current grade already reflects everything except the final, and that the final is a single weighted component. Some courses drop the lowest score, curve the final, or require a minimum exam mark to pass regardless of the average. Check your syllabus for those rules.
Planning estimate only. Results use the list prices shown and may differ from your actual bill. Terms
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final?
Subtract your current grade times (1 minus the final's weight) from your target grade, then divide by the final's weight. With 84%, a 90% target and a 30% final: (90 − 84 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = 104%.
What if the score I need is over 100%?
Then the target is out of reach with the final alone. The calculator shows the best course grade you can still finish with if you ace the exam, and the table lists lower targets you can still hit.
How much will a bad final hurt my grade?
Look at the 'course grade if you score 0' figure. It is your current grade times (1 minus the final's weight): the floor you cannot drop below.
Does this work for a 20-point or 10-point scale?
Yes. Set the maximum score to 20 or 10 and enter your grades on that scale. The formula is the same on any scale.
What if my final is worth 50% or more?
Enter that weight. A heavier final means each point on the exam moves your course grade more, so the score you need is closer to your target and a strong exam can lift a weak average a long way.