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Grade Calculator

Find your weighted grade and what you need on the final exam.

Grades so far

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When to use it

Use this calculator before a final exam to find out what score you need to reach your target grade for the course. It also shows your current grade from the work already marked. Students use it to plan their revision, and teachers use it to answer the common question, “What do I need on the final?”

How to use it

  1. Under Grades so far, add a row for each marked piece of work. Enter a name if you like, the Score % and the Weight % from your course outline.
  2. Use Add row for more items, or the remove button on a row to delete it.
  3. Enter the Final exam weight.
  4. Enter the Grade you want overall.
  5. Read your Current grade and the score Needed on the final.

The current grade note shows the letter grade and how much of the course has been graded so far.

Worked example

Your course outline gives these weights: homework 20%, midterm 30%, project 20% and the final exam 30%. You scored 92% on homework, 78% on the midterm and 88% on the project.

Your current grade is 84.9%, a B, based on 70% of the course. To finish with 85% overall, you need 85.3% on the final. If you would be happy with 80%, change the target and you need only 68.7%. Aiming for 90% would need 102%, so the tool tells you it is out of reach: even 100% on the final gives 89.4% overall.

Tips

  • Find the real weights. Check your syllabus or course page. Guessing the weights gives a misleading answer.
  • Try a few targets. Seeing the score needed for an A, a B and a pass helps you decide how much revision to plan.
  • Use it during the term. Add grades as they come in to see how you are doing and where to focus.

Common mistakes

  • Entering points instead of percentages. A score of 43 out of 50 should be entered as 86, not 43.
  • Leaving out small items. Quizzes and participation marks can add up to a big share of the grade.
  • Counting dropped grades. If your teacher drops your lowest quiz, leave it out and adjust the weight to match.

Before the exam

If the score you need is close to your recent results, focus revision on the topics that carry the most marks. If it is out of reach, ask your teacher about extra credit or resits.

Frequently asked questions

How is the current grade worked out?

Each score is multiplied by its weight, the results are added, and the total is divided by the weights so far. So a 92% homework grade worth 20% counts for less than a 78% midterm worth 30%.

What if my weights do not add up to 100%?

That is fine before the final. Your grades so far plus the final exam weight should add up to 100% or less. If they add up to more, the tool will tell you.

What does it mean if I need more than 100%?

Your target cannot be reached, even with a perfect final. The tool shows the best overall grade you could still get, so you can set a realistic goal.

Which letter grade scale does it use?

A common US scale where 93% and above is an A, 90% is A−, 87% is B+, 83% is B, and so on down to below 60% for an F. Your school may use a different scale, so check your course guide.

Can I use points instead of percentages?

Convert points to a percentage first. For example, 43 out of 50 is 86%. Then enter 86 as the score.

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