Enter your current grade, the grade you want, and how much your final exam is worth. This calculator instantly tells you the minimum score you need on the final to reach your goal.
How the final grade calculator works
Your course grade is a weighted average: everything you've done so far counts for part of it, and the final exam counts for the rest. If your final is worth 20% of your grade, your current grade determines the other 80%. This calculator solves for the one unknown — the final exam score — that makes the weighted average equal your goal.
The formula
Required final score = ( Goal − Current × (1 − Weight) ) ÷ Weight
Weight is expressed as a decimal, so a final worth 20% of your grade is 0.20.
Worked example
Say you have an 88% going into the final, you want a 90% (an A−), and the final is worth 20% of your grade:
Required = (90 − 88 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = (90 − 70.4) ÷ 0.20 = 98%
You'd need a 98 on the final to reach a 90 overall. If that feels steep, the same numbers show an 82 on the final holds an 86.8% — sometimes it helps to know what keeps your B+, too.
Tips before your final
If the score you need looks high, don't panic — run the calculator again with a slightly lower goal to see what's realistically defendable. Knowing that a 70 on the final protects your B is often more useful than staring at the 98 you'd need for an A. And if the required score is comfortably low, you've earned a calmer study week.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out how much my final exam is worth?
Check your class syllabus — the grading breakdown usually lists something like "Final exam: 20%." If it isn't listed, ask your teacher or professor. Common final exam weights are 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%.
What does it mean if the calculator says I need more than 100%?
It means your target grade isn't reachable through the final exam alone. Unless your class offers extra credit, you'd need to either adjust your goal or look for other ways to raise your current grade before the final.
What if the required score is 0% or negative?
Good news — you've already secured your target grade. Even a 0 on the final wouldn't drop you below your goal. (We still recommend showing up.)
Does this work for points-based classes?
This calculator works with percentage-weighted grading. If your class uses total points, first convert to percentages: your current grade is (points earned ÷ points possible so far), and the final's weight is (final exam points ÷ total course points).
What's the formula for the grade I need on my final?
Required final score = (Goal − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight, where Weight is the final exam's share of your grade expressed as a decimal (20% = 0.20).