With 82% in a course, a final worth 30% and a target of 85%, you need 92% on the final. That is 27.6 more points toward the course grade, earned on a final that counts for 30%.
What this calculates
Enter your current grade, the weight of the final exam and the course grade you want. This works out the score you need on the final to get there, whether the target is already secured or out of reach, the best and lowest course grade you can finish with, and a table of your course grade at different final scores.
The formula
Course grade
course grade = current × (1 − weight) + final × weightScore needed
final needed = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weightThe weight is a fraction (30% is 0.3). Your current grade counts for everything except the final.
Worked example
For a 90% target the same course would need about 108.7%, which is out of reach; with a 70% grade and a 40% final, a 90% target needs 120%.
When to use it, and the mistakes to avoid
Use it before an exam to set a realistic goal, to see whether a target is still possible, or to decide how much to study for the final.
The mistakes that cost the most:
- Entering the wrong weight. A 30% final and a 40% final give very different answers.
- Using the grade you hope for. Enter your actual current grade.
- Ignoring rounding rules. Some courses round up, and the cutoff for a grade may be a little under the target.
- Forgetting dropped scores. If your lowest grade is dropped or the final replaces another, this does not model it.
- Mixing letter grades and percentages. Convert to percentages first.
FAQ
How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?
Take your current grade times the share of the course that is already decided, subtract that from your target, and divide by the weight of the final: needed = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight. With 82% now, a 30% final and an 85% target, you need 92%.
What if the score I need is over 100%?
Then the target is out of reach on the final alone: even a perfect score leaves you short. Your best possible grade is shown, so you can set a target within it, or look for extra credit. If your instructor allows extra credit on the final, the answer here is the score you would need including it.
What does it mean if the answer is 0% or less?
Your current grade already earns the target by itself, so you would reach it even with a zero on the final. The calculator shows the answer as 0% and marks it already secured.
What is the weight of the final?
The share of the course grade the final counts for, usually given in the syllabus: 20%, 30% or 40% is common. If the final is the only graded work, enter 100% and your current grade will not matter.
Does this work for a midterm or any other assessment?
Yes. It works for any remaining assessment: enter your current grade on the work so far, the weight of what is left, and the grade you want overall. It assumes the course grade is a simple weighted average.