How do I calculate the grade I need on my final exam?

Use the formula: Required final exam score = (Target final grade − Current grade × (1 − Final weight)) ÷ Final weight. In the calculator, enter your current grade, the weight of the final exam, and your desired final grade. The tool will instantly show the minimum score you must earn on the final.

Can this final grade calculator handle multiple categories like homework, quizzes, and exams?

Yes. You can add multiple categories such as homework, quizzes, midterms, labs, and participation. For each category, enter its weight and your average score. The calculator computes your current overall grade and then uses that to find the exam score needed for your desired final grade.

What grading scales does this calculator support?

The calculator works with percentage grades by default, but it also shows an approximate letter grade (A, B, C, D, F) based on a standard 90–80–70–60 scale. You can adjust your own letter-grade thresholds in the settings panel if your school uses a different scale.

What if my final exam is already included in the category weights?

If your syllabus already includes the final exam inside a category (for example, Exams 50% including the final), you can treat that category as split: one part for completed exams and one part for the final. Use the advanced mode to add two separate categories with the appropriate weights.

Can I use this calculator for university cumulative GPA or degree final grade?

This tool is designed for course-level final grades. For degree or program final grades that combine many courses and credits, you should use a GPA or weighted average calculator. However, you can still approximate a degree final grade by entering each course as a category with its credit weight.

Final Grade Calculator – What Score Do You Need on the Final?

How the final grade calculator works

This tool helps you answer two common questions:

“What do I need on the final exam to get a certain final grade?”
“If I score X on the final, what will my final grade be?”

You can use the quick Simple mode if you already know your current grade, or the Advanced mode to build your grade from multiple weighted categories.

Formula for required final exam score

Let:

\( C \) = your current grade (as a percentage, before the final)
\( w_f \) = weight of the final exam (as a decimal, e.g. 30% → 0.30)
\( T \) = target final course grade (percentage)

The final course grade \( G \) is:

\( G = C \cdot (1 - w_f) + F \cdot w_f \)

Solving for the required final exam score \( F \):

\( F = \dfrac{T - C \cdot (1 - w_f)}{w_f} \)

The calculator uses this formula in both modes. In Advanced mode, your current grade \( C \) is computed from the weighted categories you enter.

Calculating your current grade from categories

Suppose your syllabus looks like this:

Homework – 20% of grade – you average 95%
Quizzes – 15% of grade – you average 88%
Midterm – 25% of grade – you scored 82%
Final exam – 40% of grade – not taken yet

Your current grade before the final is based on the completed categories only:

\( C = 0.20 \cdot 95 + 0.15 \cdot 88 + 0.25 \cdot 82 = 19 + 13.2 + 20.5 = 52.7 \) points out of \( 0.20 + 0.15 + 0.25 = 0.60 \) weight.

To convert this to a percentage on the completed work:

\( C_{\text{percent}} = \dfrac{52.7}{0.60} \approx 87.8\% \)

Our Advanced mode does this normalization automatically and then applies the final exam formula.

Example: What do I need on the final to get an A?

Imagine you currently have 86% in the class and the final exam is worth 30% of your grade. You want at least a 90% final grade.

Using the formula:

\( C = 86,\quad w_f = 0.30,\quad T = 90 \)
\( F = \dfrac{90 - 86 \cdot (1 - 0.30)}{0.30} = \dfrac{90 - 86 \cdot 0.70}{0.30} = \dfrac{90 - 60.2}{0.30} = \dfrac{29.8}{0.30} \approx 99.3\% \)

So you would need about 99–100% on the final exam to finish with an A (90%).

Tips for using the calculator correctly

Make sure the final exam weight matches your syllabus (e.g. 20%, 30%, 40%).
In Advanced mode, ensure your category weights plus final weight add up to 100%.
Use the Include? checkbox to temporarily ignore a category (e.g. dropped lowest quiz).
Adjust the letter grade thresholds if your school uses a non‑standard scale.

Frequently asked questions

What if the required final exam score is above 100%?

If the calculator shows a required score greater than 100%, it means that mathematically it’s not possible to reach your target grade under the current weights. You can still use the tool to see what grade is realistic by entering different hypothetical final exam scores.

Can I use points instead of percentages?

Yes. Convert your points to percentages first (e.g. 180/200 = 90%) and then enter those values. The formulas are based on percentages, but they work for any consistent scale once converted.

Does this calculator support plus/minus grades (A−, B+, etc.)?

The calculator shows a single letter grade based on thresholds you set. You can mimic plus/minus grading by choosing thresholds such as 93 for A, 90 for A−, 87 for B+, and so on, and interpreting the percentage accordingly.

Is this the same as my university’s official final grade calculation?

The formulas here match the standard weighted-average approach used in most schools and universities. However, some programs use extra rules (e.g. minimum exam score requirements, rounding policies, or bonus points). Always check your syllabus and official regulations for the exact rules that apply to you.

Final Grade Calculator

Calculate your final course grade

Results

Required final exam score

Projected final grade