How do I calculate what I need on my final exam?

Use the formula: Required Final Score = (Goal Grade - Current Grade × (1 - Final Weight)) ÷ Final Weight. For example, if your current grade is 82%, the final is worth 30%, and you want a 90%, you need (90 - 82 × 0.7) ÷ 0.3 = (90 - 57.4) ÷ 0.3 = 108.7% on the final.

What if I need over 100% on the final?

If the calculator shows you need more than 100%, the target grade may not be achievable without extra credit. You may need to lower your grade goal.

How much will my final exam affect my grade?

It depends on how much the final is worth (its weight). A final worth 20% can only change your grade by at most 20 percentage points. A final worth 50% has a much bigger impact.

What happens if I bomb the final exam?

If you score 0% on a final worth 30%, your course grade drops by exactly 30 percentage points from your current grade. Example: current grade 85% × 70% + 0% × 30% = 59.5%. Many professors will not round this up. Use the 'What If I Score…' table in the calculator to see the impact before the exam.

How do I calculate my grade after the final?

Final course grade = (Current Grade × Pre-Final Weight) + (Final Exam Score × Final Weight). For example: current grade 80%, final worth 40%, you scored 75% on final → (80 × 0.60) + (75 × 0.40) = 48 + 30 = 78%.

Final Grade Calculator – What Do I Need on My Final Exam?

What Do I Need on My Final?

Enter your current grade, final exam weight, and target grade to find out.

Current Grade (%) Your grade before the final exam

Final Exam Weight (%) How much the final counts toward your course grade

Target Course Grade (%) The final grade you want in the course

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about final exam grade calculations.

How does the final grade calculator work?

The calculator uses the weighted average formula: Course Grade = Current Grade × (1 − Final Weight) + Final Score × Final Weight. It solves for the required Final Score given your current grade, the final's weight, and your target course grade.

What if the required score is over 100%?

If the required final exam score exceeds 100%, it is mathematically impossible to achieve your target grade through the exam alone. You may need to ask your professor about extra credit options, or adjust your grade goal.

My final exam is worth 25%. My current grade is 88%. What do I need to get an A?

To get an A (93%), you'd need: (93 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = (93 − 66) ÷ 0.25 = 108%. That's above 100%, so an A may not be reachable. A B+ (87%) would require: (87 − 88 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = (87 − 66) ÷ 0.25 = 84% on the final — very achievable.

Can I use this for finals worth more than 50%?

Yes! The calculator works for any final exam weight from 1% to 100%. Some courses have finals worth 50% or even 60% — just enter the actual weight your syllabus shows.

What happens if I score 0% on the final?

Your course grade drops by exactly the final's weight. Example: current grade 85%, final worth 30% → if you score 0% → 85% × 0.70 + 0% × 0.30 = 59.5%. Use the "What If I Score…" table above to see every scenario before test day.

How do I calculate my final course grade after taking the exam?

Final course grade = (Current Grade × Pre-Final Weight) + (Final Score × Final Weight). Example: current grade 80%, final worth 40%, final score 75% → (80 × 0.60) + (75 × 0.40) = 48 + 30 = 78%. Enter these values above and the calculator does it instantly.

How to Calculate What You Need on the Final

Before finals week, every student wants to know: "What score do I need on the final to get an A (or B, or just pass)?" The answer depends on three things: your current grade, how much the final is worth, and your target.

The Formula Explained

Your course grade is a weighted average. If the final is worth 30%, the rest of your grades account for 70%. So your current grade already "locked in" 70% of the weight. The remaining 30% (the final) determines whether you hit your goal.

Example

Current grade: 78%. Final worth: 40%. Target: B (83%).
Required = (83 − 78 × 0.60) ÷ 0.40 = (83 − 46.8) ÷ 0.40 = 90.5% on the final.