Final grade calculator
What score do you need on your final exam? Enter your numbers and find out instantly.
How the formula works
Your final course grade combines your current grade (everything before the final) with your final exam score, weighted according to your syllabus.
Where:
- Target = the grade you want to end with (as a percentage)
- Current = your grade on all work before the final (as a percentage)
- Weight = how much the final counts toward your total grade (as a decimal, so 25% = 0.25)
Worked examples
Example 1: Achievable target
Current grade: 88%. Target: 90%. Final weight: 25%.
Needed = (90 - 88 × 0.75) / 0.25 = (90 - 66) / 0.25 = 24 / 0.25 = 96%
You need a 96% on the final to reach a 90% course grade. Tough but doable.
Example 2: Impossible target
Current grade: 82%. Target: 90%. Final weight: 30%.
Needed = (90 - 82 × 0.70) / 0.30 = (90 - 57.4) / 0.30 = 32.6 / 0.30 = 108.7%
You would need 108.7% on the final, which is not possible. The maximum you can reach with a perfect final is 82 × 0.70 + 100 × 0.30 = 87.4%.
Frequently asked questions
How is the final grade calculated?
The formula is: Required Final Score = (Target Grade - Current Grade × (1 - Final Weight)) / Final Weight. This assumes your current grade represents all work before the final.
What if the calculator says I need over 100%?
That means your target grade is not mathematically possible, even with a perfect final. The calculator shows the maximum grade you can reach with a 100% on the final.
Does a 0% on the final mean I fail?
Not necessarily. If your current grade is high enough, you may already have your target secured. The calculator will tell you if this is the case.
What counts as my current grade?
Your current grade is usually your grade on all completed coursework before the final. Check your syllabus or gradebook for your current percentage.
How do I find my final exam weight?
Look at your syllabus. It lists the weight of each assignment category. The final exam is often 20-40% of your total grade, but this varies by professor.
Does this work for weighted grading?
Yes, as long as you enter your weighted current grade and the final exam weight. For more complex weighted calculations, try our weighted grade calculator.
Read the guide
The formula, worked examples at 20%, 30% and 40% final weight, and what "over 100%" really means.
More calculators
Calculate your GPA or see where your weighted grades stand.