How to calculate Final Grades
Determining what score is needed on the final exam to achieve your desired score for the course
- First, you need to know three things:
- Your current course grade
- Your desired course grade
- The percentage weight applied to the final exam
For this example we will use 88% for your current course grade, 90% for your desired course grade, and 30% for the percentage weight of your final exam.
- Determine the weight of your current course grade by subtracting the final exam weight percentage from 100%. If your final exam is worth 30% of your course grade then the rest of the course is worth 70% of your grade:
100% (Total course) – 30% (Final Exam)= 70% (current grade in course)
- Multiply your current course grade by its weight as determined in step 2:
current course grade X weight of current grade in course (as a decimal)
If your current course grade is an 88% and your current course grade is weighted 70% then:
88 X .7 = 61.6
This is the weighted value of your current grade (CG).
- Subtract this number from step 3 (the weighted value of your current grade) from your desired grade:
desired grade (DG) – weighted value of your current grade (CG) (see step 3)
If we desire a 90%, then:
90 – 61.6 = 28.4
- Divide this number from step 4 (the difference between DG and CG), by the weight of the final exam grade (as a decimal):
desired grade (DG) – weighted value of your current grade (CG)
weight of the final exam (as a decimal)
In our example, it would be calculated as follows:
(90-61.6) which is equal to 28.4 which equals 94.7.
This is our grade needed on the final exam: 94.7%.
Final Grade Calculator – FAQs
What is my final grade?
To calculate final grades, you must know how much your final exam is worth. Normally, final exams are worth 20% of your final grade. If you are in high school, the first quarter and second quarter grades are worth 40% each. To determine your final grade for a course, take your first quarter grade and multiple it by .40. Take your second quarter grade and multiply it by .40. Then, take your final exam grade and multiply it by .20. Add those three scores together, and that will be your report card grade. If you are in college, you calculate your final grade a little differently. Your final exam grade will likely still count as 20% of your final grade. All of your other grades will count together as 80% of your final grade, since college semesters aren’t divided into quarters. To determine your final grade for a course in college, add up all of your grades (except the final exam). Then, add up all of the total points possible (except your final exam). Divide your grades total by the total points possible. Multiply that number by .80. Then, multiple the score you made on your final exam by .20 (if it’s worth 20% of your grade). Add that number to the answer you got when you multiplied your other grades average by .80. This is your final grade.
What grade do I need to get on my final to pass?
If you are in high school and trying to determine what grade on your final you need to pass, follow these steps: (We will assume your final counts as 20% of your grade, since that is true for most schools, and that you need a minimum final grade of 60 to pass.) Multiply your first quarter grade by .40. Multiply your second quarter grade by .40. Add these two numbers together. Subtract that number from 60 and divide what you get by .20. The answer will be the lowest score you can get on your final exam and make at least a passing score of 60 in the course. If you are in college and your final exam counts as 20% of your final grade, as it does in most colleges, you must first add up all of your grades in the course. Then, add up all of the total points you could have earned. Divide your total grades by the total points. Multiple that number by .80. Whatever answer you get, subtract it from 60. Then divide that number by .20. That will tell you what score you must get on the final exam to get a 60 as a final grade in the course.
How to calculate grade percentage?
To calculate grade percentages, you must know the score you received on the particular assignment or test. You must also know the total points possible. Divide the score you received by the total points possible. That is your grade percentage.
How to calculate grade average?
To calculate grade average, add up all of your total scores. Then, add up all of the total points possible. Divide the sum of your total scores by the total points possible. That is your grade average.
How to calculate class grade?
To calculate your class grade, add up all of your total scores. Then, add up all of the total points possible. Divide the sum of your total scores by the total points possible. That is your class grade.
How to calculate report card grades?
To calculate report card grades, you must know how much your final exam is worth. Normally, final exams are worth 20% of your report card grade. If you are in high school, the first quarter and second quarter grades are worth 40% each. To determine your report card grade, take your first quarter grade and multiple it by .40. Take your second quarter grade and multiply it by .40. Then, take your final exam grade and multiply it by .20. Add those three scores together, and that will be your report card grade.
