The Quick Formula
Current Grade = (Total Points Earned ÷ Total Points Possible) × 100
Example: You earned 432 out of 500 points → 432 ÷ 500 × 100 = 86.4% (B)
Calculate Your Grade
Enter your assignments, weights, and see what you need on the final:
Calculating Your Current Grade
Simple (Unweighted) Method
When all assignments are worth the same or graded by points:
| Assignment | Points Earned | Points Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Homework 1 | 45 | 50 |
| Homework 2 | 38 | 50 |
| Quiz 1 | 18 | 20 |
| Midterm | 82 | 100 |
| Lab Report | 27 | 30 |
| Total | 210 | 250 |
Grade = 210 ÷ 250 × 100 = 84% (B)
Weighted Method
Most courses use categories with different weights:
| Category | Weight | Your Average |
|---|---|---|
| Homework | 20% | 92% |
| Quizzes | 15% | 85% |
| Midterm | 25% | 78% |
| Final Exam | 30% | ? |
| Participation | 10% | 95% |
Weighted grade = Σ (category average × weight)
Without the final:
- Homework: 92 × 0.20 = 18.4
- Quizzes: 85 × 0.15 = 12.75
- Midterm: 78 × 0.25 = 19.5
- Participation: 95 × 0.10 = 9.5
Current grade (70% of course) = 60.15 out of 70 = 85.9%
"What Do I Need on the Final?"
This is the question every student asks. Here's the formula:
Required Final Grade = (Target Grade − Current Weighted Points) ÷ Final Weight
Using the example above, to get a B (80%) in the course:
- Target: 80 points total
- Already earned: 60.15 points
- Final weight: 30% (0.30)
- Required: (80 − 60.15) ÷ 0.30 = 66.2%
You need a 66.2% on the final to get a B. Doable.
To get an A (90%):
- (90 − 60.15) ÷ 0.30 = 99.5% — very difficult.
Quick Reference: Final Exam Scores Needed
Given a current grade of 85% (before a 30% final):
| Target Grade | Score Needed on Final |
|---|---|
| A (93%) | 103.8% (impossible) |
| A- (90%) | 96.7% |
| B+ (87%) | 89.5% |
| B (83%) | 78.1% |
| B- (80%) | 71.0% |
| C+ (77%) | 61.0% |
| C (73%) | 46.7% |
Standard Grading Scale
| Letter | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93-100% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72% | 1.7 |
| D | 60-69% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Note: Grading scales vary by school. Some use +/− grades, others don't. Always check your syllabus.
How Dropping the Lowest Score Works
Some professors drop the lowest score in a category. This changes the calculation:
Example: 5 quizzes, lowest dropped
| Quiz | Score |
|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | 75% |
| Quiz 2 | 92% |
| Quiz 3 | 88% |
| Quiz 4 | 65% ← dropped |
| Quiz 5 | 90% |
- With all 5: (75 + 92 + 88 + 65 + 90) ÷ 5 = 82%
- With lowest dropped: (75 + 92 + 88 + 90) ÷ 4 = 86.25%
A 4-point boost just from the drop policy.
Extra Credit
Extra credit adds points to your numerator without increasing the denominator:
- Regular score: 180/200 = 90%
- With 10 points extra credit: 190/200 = 95%
Some professors cap your grade at 100% even with extra credit — check the syllabus.
Strategies When Your Grade Is Borderline
You're at 89.4% and need 90% for an A-
- Check the syllabus for rounding policy (some professors round up at .5)
- Ask about extra credit opportunities
- Calculate the final score needed using our calculator
- Email your professor — not to ask for a grade bump, but to ask what you can do to demonstrate mastery
- Focus study time on the highest-weighted remaining assignments
Grade Recovery Math
The more weight remaining in the course, the more room you have to recover:
| Current Grade | Weight Remaining | Grade Needed on Remaining | To Reach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% | 30% | 91.7% | 80% (B-) |
| 75% | 40% | 87.5% | 80% (B-) |
| 75% | 50% | 85.0% | 80% (B-) |
Start early. The less weight remaining, the harder recovery becomes.
Key Takeaways
- Unweighted: total points earned ÷ total points possible × 100
- Weighted: sum of (category average × category weight)
- To find what you need on the final: (target − current points) ÷ final weight
- Check your syllabus for grading scale, rounding policy, and drop rules
- The earlier you track your grade, the more options you have to improve