What do I need on my final?
Final Grade Calculator: What Do I Need on My Final?
Find the score you need on your final exam to reach a target grade, from your current grade and the final’s weight, plus the score needed for each letter.
114%
You would need 114% on the final, which is more than 100%. Without extra credit, a 90% overall is out of reach.
| To finish with | Score needed on the final |
|---|---|
| A (90%) | 114% (not possible) |
| B (80%) | 64% |
| C (70%) | 14% |
| D (60%) | Already reached |
Assumes your current grade already uses the same weights as the rest of the course and that the final counts for 20% of the course grade.
The chart is calculated in your browser; nothing you type is uploaded or saved. Scores are rounded half up to the precision you choose, and the letter is based on that rounded score, so 89.5% shown as 90% earns the 90 band. Check your school’s own grading scale and rounding policy.
The formula
Score needed = (grade you want − current grade × (1 − w)) ÷ w, where w is the final’s weight as a decimal. With a current grade of 84%, a final worth 20% and a goal of 80%: (80 − 84 × 0.8) ÷ 0.2 = 64%.
- A result over 100% means the goal cannot be reached without extra credit.
- A result of 0 or less means you already have the goal locked in.
- If your final replaces a lower test score, check the syllabus; this formula does not cover that.
Common questions
What do I need on my final to get an A?
It depends on your current grade and the final’s weight. With 84% now and a final worth 20%, an A at 90% needs 114% on the final, so it is out of reach without extra credit; a B at 80% needs 64%.
Why does the calculator ask for the final’s weight?
Because the final only counts for part of the course grade. The bigger its weight, the more one exam can move your grade.
The studio notebook
A useful place to begin.
Clear steps, considered details, and ideas you can put to use.
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