Free Student Grade Calculator
Final Grade Calculator: What Do I Need on My Final?
Find the exact final exam score you need to finish with your target class grade. Enter your current grade, desired grade and how much your final is worth to get an instant answer.
Calculate Your Final Grade
Select the calculation that matches your class. Start with Score Needed for a final exam worth a set percentage of your course.
What score do you need on your final exam to achieve a specific overall class percentage?
Minimum Score Needed on Your Final
92%
Score at least 92% on your final to reach 85% overall.
82 × 70% + 92 × 30% = 85%.
Already taken your final? Enter your actual or predicted exam score to find your overall course grade.
Your Overall Course Grade
85%
Use this if your final counts as another test within a weighted test category, rather than having its own percentage of the overall course grade.
Assumes existing tests have equal weight, the final adds to the category, and other grades remain unchanged. Does not account for dropped or replaced test scores.
Required Final Test Score
90%
For classes where your final grade is calculated from the total points earned divided by total points possible.
Use for straight points-based classes only. The exam's effective weight depends on the total available course points.
Required Score on the Final
85%
How to Use the Final Grade Calculator
This final exam calculator tells you the minimum percentage you need on your final to reach a target class grade. Whether you're trying to earn an A, maintain a B, or simply pass your course, you can calculate the score you need instantly.
- Enter your current grade. Use your current class percentage before the final. Do not include an ungraded final counted as zero.
- Choose your desired final grade. For example, enter 90% if that is the cutoff for an A in your course.
- Enter your final exam weight. Find the percentage in your course syllabus. Finals are often worth 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, or 40%, but your class may differ.
- Read your required score. The calculator automatically shows the minimum final exam percentage you need.
Already taken your final? Switch to After the Final to calculate your resulting overall class grade instead.
Final Grade Calculator Formula
To work out what grade you need on your final, you need three numbers: your current course average, your desired overall grade, and the percentage of the course determined by the final exam.
Express the final exam weight as a decimal. For example, 30% = 0.30 and 20% = 0.20.
Example: 82% Current Grade, 30% Final, 85% Target
Suppose you currently have an 82% in your class. Your final exam is worth 30% of the overall grade, and you want to finish with an 85%.
First calculate the part of your grade earned before the final: 82 × 0.70 = 57.4. Then subtract this from your target: 85 − 57.4 = 27.6. Finally, divide by 0.30.
You need at least 92% on your final exam to finish with 85% overall.
How to Calculate Your Final Course Grade
If you already know your final exam score, use the reverse calculation to find your overall percentage.
Example: 82 × 0.70 + 92 × 0.30 = 85%.
What Score Do You Need on Your Final? Example Chart
This chart shows the final exam scores needed for different target course grades. It starts with a current grade of 82% and a final exam worth 30%.
Change the current grade and exam weight in the calculator above to update the table automatically.
| Target Grade | Exam Score Needed | Achievable? |
|---|---|---|
| 60% | 8.67% | Yes |
| 70% | 42% | Yes |
| 80% | 75.34% | Yes |
| 85% | 92% | Yes |
| 90% | 108.67% | No |
Required scores are rounded upward to the next 0.01 percentage point. Scores above 100% require extra credit or an adjustment to be achievable.
Final Exam Weighting: 20%, 30%, Tests and Points
What If My Final Is Worth 20%?
If your final exam is worth 20%, your current class grade contributes 80% of the overall result. For example, if your current grade is 80% and you want an 85% overall, you need: (85 − 80 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = 105%. Without extra credit, this target is not achievable.
What If My Final Is Worth 30%?
With a 30%-weighted final, your current coursework contributes 70% of the overall grade. If you have an 82% current grade and want an 85% overall, you need 92% on the final.
What If My Final Counts as Another Test?
Some courses include the final exam within a test category rather than assigning it a separate percentage. In that case, choose Counts as a Test. Enter the existing test average, category weighting, and number of tests already completed.
This mode assumes equal weighting within the test category and no dropped or replaced grades.
What If My Class Uses Total Points?
In a points-based course, the final's importance depends on the total available points. If your course has 500 points available before the final and a 100-point final, the final makes up 100 ÷ 600 = approximately 16.67% of the finished course total.
Choose Points-Based Class to work out exactly how many points you need.
What About Extra Credit or Replaced Grades?
Extra-credit assignments, dropped tests, and final exams that replace a previous grade may change the result. These arrangements are not included in the standard calculations above. Follow your instructor's official grading policy.
Final Grade Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Multiply your current grade by the portion of the course completed before the final. Subtract that result from your desired grade and divide by the final's weight as a decimal. You can also enter the numbers directly into our free calculator.
What grade do I need on my final to get an A?
Enter your current class grade, the percentage required for an A, and your final exam's weight. The calculator shows the minimum required score. A-grade thresholds vary between institutions.
What if my final is worth 20% of my grade?
Enter 20% as the final exam weight. The calculator uses 80% of your current grade and 20% of your exam score to determine your overall course result.
What if I need more than 100% on my final?
Your target cannot be reached with an ordinary exam capped at 100%. You may need extra credit, a grading adjustment, or a lower target.
Can I calculate my grade after my final exam?
Yes. Select the After the Final tab and enter your current grade, final exam score, and final exam weight to calculate your overall grade.
Does this work if my final counts as a test?
Yes. Select Counts as a Test if your final is added to an equally weighted test category. Enter your test average, category weight, and number of existing tests.
Is this the same as a GPA calculator?
No. This calculator predicts your grade for a particular course or determines the score needed on its final exam. A GPA calculator combines grades from multiple courses into a grade point average, usually on a 4.0 scale.
