About the Final Grade Calculator
This final grade calculator answers the question every student asks before exams: “what do I need on my final?” Enter your current grade in the class, how much the final exam is worth, and the course grade you want. It solves the weighted-average equation for the exam score that gets you there.
It also shows the best and worst course grade you can still finish with (scoring 100% or 0% on the final) and a table of the scores needed for an A, B, C and D, so you can decide where to focus your study time across several classes.
The calculation assumes your current grade already reflects everything except the final, and that the final counts for a fixed percentage of the course. If your class drops the lowest score, curves, or lets the final replace a midterm, adjust your current grade first.
With the default inputs, the score needed on final is 95%. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the final grade calculator
- 1Enter your current grade in the class as a percentage.
- 2Enter how much the final exam is worth (check your syllabus).
- 3Enter the course grade you are aiming for.
- 4Read the score you need, and check the table for other letter grades.
Formula and method
Your final course grade is a weighted average: the current grade counts for (1 − w) of the course and the final exam for w. Setting that weighted average equal to your target and solving for the exam score gives the formula above.
If the result is above 100%, the target cannot be reached without extra credit or a curve. If it is zero or negative, you have already locked in the target regardless of the exam. The best possible grade is Current × (1 − w) + 100 × w, and the worst is Current × (1 − w).
- Target
- Course grade you want, in percent
- Current
- Your grade before the final, in percent
- w
- Final exam weight as a decimal (30% = 0.30)
Worked examples
85% going into a 30% final, aiming for 88%
With 85% counting for 70% of the course, you already have 85 × 0.7 = 59.5 points. Reaching 88 needs (88 − 59.5) ÷ 0.30 = 95% on the final. A perfect final would give 89.5%, so a 90% A− is out of reach.
Passing a class with a 20% final
A 62% current grade contributes 62 × 0.8 = 49.6 points. Reaching 70 needs (70 − 49.6) ÷ 0.2 = 102% on the final, so a C is just out of reach; 100% on the final would give 69.6%.
Protecting an A with a 25% final
94% × 0.75 = 70.5 points are locked in. Keeping a 90% needs (90 − 70.5) ÷ 0.25 = 78% on the final, and a perfect final would lift the course grade to 95.5%.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate what I need on my final?+
Subtract your current grade times (1 − final weight) from your target grade, then divide by the final weight. For 85% current, a 30% final and a 90% target: (90 − 59.5) ÷ 0.3 = 101.7%.
What if I need more than 100% on the final?+
Then the target is mathematically out of reach from the final alone. Ask about extra credit, dropped scores or curves, or set a more realistic target such as the next letter grade.
What if my class uses weighted categories?+
Work out your current grade across all non-final categories first (the grade calculator does this), then enter that percentage here with the final’s weight from the syllabus.
Can I fail the final and still pass the class?+
Check the “course grade with 0% on final” result. If it is at or above the passing mark, you pass even with a zero, although some courses require passing the final itself.
How much is a final exam usually worth?+
Finals commonly count for 15% to 40% of a course grade in high school and college, but it varies widely, so always confirm the weight in your syllabus.