Final Grade Calculator
“What do I need on the final?” Enter your current grade, how much the final exam is worth, and the grade you want — and get the exact score that gets you there.
You need on the final
98.0%
Possible, but it will take a near-perfect final.
What you'd need for other targets:
90% (A)
98.0%
80% (B)
48.0%
70% (C)
0.0%
60% (D)
0.0%
Assumes your final exam is the only remaining grade and everything else is already scored. Letter-grade cutoffs vary by school — 90/80/70/60 is the most common scale, but check your syllabus.
How the Math Works
Your course grade is a weighted average: the work you've already done counts for (100% − final weight), and the final fills the rest. Solving that average for the final exam score gives the formula below. The bigger the final's weight, the more it can move your grade — in both directions.
Formula
Needed = (Target − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight Example: 88% current, final worth 20%, want 90%: (90 − 88 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = 98% on the final
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need on the final to pass my class?
Plug in your current grade, the final's weight, and the passing cutoff (usually 60%). Example: with a 72% average and a final worth 25%, you need (60 − 72 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 24% on the final to pass. The calculator does the same algebra for any target.
Can a final exam lower my overall grade?
Yes — the final is averaged in like everything else, so scoring below your current average pulls the grade down in proportion to the exam's weight. With a 90% average and a final worth 30%, a 70% exam lands you at 84%.
What if the calculator says I need more than 100%?
The target is mathematically out of reach on the final alone. Your options: check the syllabus for extra credit or replacement policies, confirm the final's actual weight (a 30% final gives you more room than a 15% one), or aim for the next grade down.
Does this work if I have assignments left besides the final?
The formula assumes the final is the only unscored item. If other work is outstanding, either estimate those scores into your current grade first, or treat 'the final' as all remaining work combined and use its combined weight.