Calculators

Final Grade Calculator

What you need on the final to finish on the grade you want, and whether it is still possible.

How it works

Your course grade is a weighted average of two things: everything so far, and the final. If the final is worth 25%, your current grade makes up the other 75%. The formula takes the points you have already banked, subtracts them from the target, and asks how well the final has to go to cover the rest. A result above 100% means the target is out of reach, and one below zero means you already have it.

final needed = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight
current
Your grade before the final, as a percentage
weight
The final's share of the course grade, as a decimal
target
The course grade you want to finish with

Worked example

You have an 86% going into a final worth 25%, and want a B+ (87%).

  1. 1Points already banked: 86 × 0.75 = 64.5
  2. 2Points still needed: 87 − 64.5 = 22.5
  3. 3Final score needed: 22.5 ÷ 0.25 = 90%

You need a 90% on the final. A perfect final would lift you to 89.5%, and skipping it would drop you to 64.5%.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find out what my final is worth?

Check the syllabus, which almost always lists the weight of each component. If it gives points rather than percentages, divide the final's points by the course total. If your current grade in the learning system already excludes the final, use it as is; if it counts the final as a zero, it will look far lower than it really is.

What if my class uses points instead of percentages?

Convert to percentages first. Your current grade is points earned divided by points possible so far. The final weight is the final's points divided by total course points. For example, a 200-point final in a 1,000-point course is worth 20%.

Can I still pass if I need more than 100%?

Not on the final alone, but there may be other routes. Ask about extra credit, a dropped lowest quiz, a curve, or whether the final can replace a low midterm, which some instructors allow. Try the next grade down here to see what is still realistic.

Does my professor round grades?

It varies. Some round 89.5 up to 90, some round only for borderline cases, and some never round. The syllabus usually says. Plan for the unrounded target and treat rounding as a bonus.

Related calculators