WiseCalcs

Final grade calculator

Enter your current grade, the weight the final exam carries, and the overall grade you are aiming for. The calculator shows the score you need on the final, plus the best and worst overall grades still possible.

Use it to see exactly what you must score on the final to hit your target grade.

%
%
%

Required final score

63.3%

Best possible
86%
If you skip the final
56%

The result updates as you type. If the required score is above 100 the target is out of reach; if it is below 0 you have already locked it in.

How does it work?

If the required score is above 100 the target is out of reach; if it is below 0 you have already secured it. The work so far counts for the remaining weight (1 − w).

Required final score formula

R=T−C (1−w)w,w=final weight100R = \frac{T - C\,(1 - w)}{w},\quad w = \frac{\text{final weight}}{100}
R
Score needed on the final, as a percentage.
T
Target overall grade.
C
Current grade before the final.
w
Final exam weight as a fraction of the total.

With an 80% current grade, a final worth 30%, and a 75% target, you need (75 − 80 × 0.7) / 0.3 = 63.3% on the final.

Method & sources

All grades are entered as percentages from 0 to 100. The final exam is worth the weight you enter; earlier work covers the rest. A required score above 100 means the target is out of reach.

Sources

Where this method comes from — use these references to understand the formula, assumptions, and limits.

How we calculate

  • All grades are entered as percentages from 0 to 100.
  • The final exam is worth the weight you enter; earlier work covers the rest.
  • A required score above 100 means the target is out of reach.
  • A required score below 0 means the target is already secured.

Rounding

Scores are shown to one decimal. The calculation uses full precision.

What this calculator does

Your overall grade is a weighted average of the work so far and the final exam. This calculator rearranges that average to solve for the one unknown: the score you need on the final to reach your target.

How to use it

  1. Enter your current grade as a percentage.
  2. Enter how much the final exam is worth (its weight).
  3. Enter the overall grade you want.
  4. Read the required final score and what is realistically possible.

A worked example

With an 80% current grade, a final worth 30%, and a 75% target, you need (75 − 80 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = 63.3% on the final. Acing the final caps you at 86%; skipping it leaves you at 56%.

Reading the result

A required score over 100 means even a perfect final won't reach the target. A score under 0 means you've already secured it. Anything between is the mark to aim for.

Common mistakes

  • Entering the final's weight as a grade rather than a percentage of the total.
  • Forgetting that the current grade already includes everything except the final.
  • Setting a target the final can't mathematically reach.

When it's useful

Before a final exam, when you want to know exactly what you need to score — and whether your target is still on the table.

FAQ

How is the required score calculated?
The target minus your current grade times the remaining weight, divided by the final's weight. It solves the weighted average for the final score.
What does a score above 100% mean?
The target is out of reach: even a perfect final exam would not lift your overall grade to the target.
What does a negative score mean?
You have already secured the target. Even scoring zero on the final keeps your overall grade at or above it.
Where do I find the final's weight?
On the syllabus or grading scheme. It is the share of the overall grade the final exam is worth, such as 30%.
Can I use letter grades?
Convert them to percentages first. Most grading scales publish a percentage range for each letter.
Can I share a calculation?
Yes. Use Share to copy a link that reopens the calculator with the same grades and weight.

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<iframe src="https://wisecalcs.com/embed/en/final-grade-calculator" width="100%" height="520" style="border:0" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p>Calculator from <a href="https://wisecalcs.com/en/math/final-grade-calculator">WiseCalcs</a></p>