Final Grade Calculator — What Score Do I Need on My Final Exam?

This is one of the most searched-for calculators by students during exam season — "what do I need on my final to get an A?" Instead of guessing, this tool solves the exact equation using your current grade, how much the final exam is worth, and your target overall grade.

Enter your current grade (everything except the final), the final exam's weight as a percentage of your total grade, and the overall grade you're aiming for — the calculator solves for the exact score you need on the final.

Formula

Required Final Score = [Target − Current × (1 − Final Weight/100)] ÷ (Final Weight/100)

If the result is above 100%, the target is not achievable through the final exam alone.

Worked Example

Worked example

Question: Current grade (before the final) is 78%. The final exam is worth 40% of the total grade. Target overall grade is 85%.

Step 1 — Non-final portion contributes: 78 × (1 − 0.40) = 78 × 0.60 = 46.8

Step 2 — Subtract from target: 85 − 46.8 = 38.2

Step 3 — Divide by the final's weight: 38.2 ÷ 0.40 = 95.5

Answer: This student needs 95.5% on the final exam to reach an overall 85%.

What if the required score is above 100%?

If the calculation comes out above 100%, it means your target grade is mathematically unreachable through the final exam alone, no matter how well you score — at that point, the only options are extra credit (if offered) or accepting a lower final grade than originally hoped.

What if the required score is negative?

A negative or very low required score means you have already secured your target grade regardless of how you do on the final — a good problem to have, though it's still worth checking your course's minimum passing requirement for the final exam itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Enter your current grade before the final, the final's weight as a percentage of your total grade, and your target overall grade — the calculator solves for the exact score needed.

What does it mean if the required score is over 100%?

It means your target grade cannot be reached through the final exam alone, since even a perfect 100% wouldn't be enough — you would need extra credit or to accept a different final grade.

What if I don't know my current grade before the final?

Use the Weighted Grade Calculator or Semester Grade Calculator first to work out your current grade from your individual assignment and midterm scores.

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