Final Exam Calculator
Find the score you need on your final exam to reach your target grade. Enter your current grade, the grade you want, and how much the final counts, and see what you need for every letter grade.
What you need
You need at least
96%
on the final exam to finish with 90%. That is an A on the exam.
- Current grade
- 88%
- Final exam weight
- 25%
- Final grade range
- 66% to 91%
What you need for each letter grade
| Grade | Course grade | Needed on the final |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90% | 96% |
| B | 80% | 56% |
| C | 70% | 16% |
| D | 60% | Already secured |
If you score…
| Final exam score | Course grade | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 91% | A |
| 95% | 89.75% | B |
| 90% | 88.5% | B |
| 85% | 87.25% | B |
| 80% | 86% | B |
| 75% | 84.75% | B |
| 70% | 83.5% | B |
| 60% | 81% | B |
| 50% | 78.5% | C |
Show the working
Needed score = (goal − current grade × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight = (90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 0.96%. The calculator rounds up to the next hundredth so that you meet the goal.
What is a final exam calculator?
A final exam calculator tells you the score you need on your final exam to finish a course with the grade you want. It works because a course grade is a weighted average: your work so far counts for part of the grade and the final exam counts for the rest. Enter your current grade, the grade you want, and the weight of the final, and the calculator solves for the exam score. It also shows what you need for each letter grade and the course grade you would get from different exam scores, so you can plan your studying.
How to use the final exam calculator
- Enter your current grade. Use your grade from everything except the final, as a percentage.
- Enter the grade you want. Type a percentage, or press a letter button such as A (90%).
- Enter the final exam weight. Check your syllabus, or press a common weight such as 25%.
- Add the exam points (optional). If you want the answer in points, enter what the exam is worth.
- Read the result. You see the score you need, the range of grades you can finish with, and two tables.
The final exam grade formula
The course grade is the weighted average of your current grade and the final exam score:
Course grade = current grade × (1 − weight) + exam score × weight
Solving that for the exam score gives:
Score needed = (goal − current grade × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight
For example, with a current grade of 88%, a goal of 90%, and a final worth 25%, you need (90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 96% on the final.
Sometimes the answer is above 100%. With a current grade of 67%, a goal of 89%, and a weight of30%, the formula gives (89 − 67 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 =140.34%. A perfect 100% on the final would leave you at 76.9%, so the goal is out of reach unless extra credit is available.
How the weight of the final changes the score you need
The heavier the final, the more it can move your grade. Here is what a student with an 85% average needs to reach a 90% course grade at different weights.
| Final exam weight | Score needed on the final |
|---|---|
| 10% | 135% (out of reach) |
| 20% | 110% (out of reach) |
| 25% | 105% (out of reach) |
| 30% | 101.67% (out of reach) |
| 40% | 97.5% |
| 50% | 95% |
Letter grade cutoffs used by the calculator
The tables use the common US cutoffs below. Your school may use different ones, so type the percentage your course needs into the grade box if so.
- A
- 90% and above
- B
- 80% and above
- C
- 70% and above
- D
- 60% and above
- F
- Below 60%
What to do when the score you need is too high
- Check the weight and your current grade. A wrong weight is the most common reason for a surprising answer.
- Look at the "What you need for each letter grade" table and choose the highest grade that is still reachable.
- Ask whether extra credit, a retake, or a grade replacement policy is available.
- Talk to your instructor or advisor early, while there is still time to act.
Tips for preparing for your final
- Start with the exam that needs the highest score. It is the one where the extra hours matter most.
- Use the table of what-if scores to set a realistic goal, such as the lowest score that still earns the letter you want.
- Review the topics where you lost the most points on earlier tests. Final exams often repeat them.
- Practice under test conditions with past papers or questions, so that timing is not a surprise.
- If the goal is out of reach, aim for the best grade you can still earn. Every point on a heavily weighted final counts.
What this calculator can and cannot do
It works in percentages and assumes your current grade covers all the work except the final. It rounds the needed score up to the next hundredth of a percent, and it does not include curves, dropped scores, or other special rules, so treat the answer as an estimate when your course uses them. It does not take GPA scales as input.
Final exam terms explained
- Current grade
- Your average on all the course work except the final exam.
- Final exam weight
- The share of the course grade that the final exam is worth, such as 25%.
- Target grade
- The course grade you are aiming for, such as 90% for an A.
- Weighted average
- An average in which some parts count for more than others.
- Extra credit
- Bonus points that can raise a grade above what the regular work alone allows.
Related calculators
After your final, see how the course grade affects your GPA with the college GPA calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Use the formula: score needed = (goal − current grade × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight, where the weight is the share of the course grade that the final is worth, written as a decimal. For example, with a current grade of 88%, a goal of 90%, and a final worth 25%, you need (90 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 96%. The calculator does this for you.
What does "current grade" mean?
It is your grade in the course from all the work that counts except the final exam. It is the average of that work, not the points you have earned so far out of the whole course. If other graded work is still to come, finish it first or enter your best estimate of your average on it.
Where do I find the weight of my final exam?
Look in your syllabus or your course page. It is usually listed as a percentage, such as 20% or 30%. If the syllabus gives points instead, divide the points the final is worth by the total points in the course and multiply by 100.
What if the score I need is more than 100%?
Then a perfect score on the final is not enough to reach your goal, unless extra credit is available. The calculator shows the best course grade you can still finish with, and a table of what you would need for each letter grade, so you can choose a goal you can reach. You can also talk to your instructor about extra credit or other options.
What if the score I need is 0% or below?
You have already reached your goal. Even a 0% on the final would leave your course grade at or above the grade you want. The calculator shows "Already secured" and the lowest grade you could finish with.
What if my final exam is worth 100% of the grade?
Then your current grade does not matter, and you need exactly the grade you want on the exam. Enter 100 as the weight to check.
What are the cutoffs for an A, B, C, and D?
The calculator uses the common US cutoffs: A is 90% and above, B is 80%, C is 70%, and D is 60%. Many schools use different cutoffs, and some use plus and minus grades. Type your own number into "The grade you want" if your course uses other cutoffs.
Can I use a GPA scale such as 4.0 or 5.0?
This calculator works in percentages. If your goal is a letter grade, enter the percentage your course needs for it. To see how the final course grade affects your GPA, use the College GPA Calculator.
Can I use it for high school and college courses?
Yes. It works for any course where the final exam counts for a known percentage of the final grade and your other work is averaged into a current grade.
Does it handle curves or dropped scores?
No. It assumes your current grade is final and that the exam score goes into the grade as it is. If your instructor curves the exam or drops your lowest scores, treat the result as an estimate.
Why is the score rounded up?
The score is rounded up to the next hundredth of a percent so that, once you earn it, your course grade is at or above your goal rather than just short of it.