When final exams get close, one question matters more than any other: what score do you need on the final to get the grade you want? You can answer it with a single formula. All you need is your current grade, how much the final is worth and your target grade.
Short answer: Required final score = (target grade − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight. For example, if your current grade is 82%, the final is worth 25% and you want an 85%, you need at least 94% on the final: (85 − 82 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 94.
Final grade calculator
Enter your numbers to see the score you need on the final:
Your "current grade" is your grade in the course before the final, as shown in your gradebook or learning platform.
How the formula works
Your final course grade is a weighted average: the part of the course you've already completed, plus the final exam.
Final course grade = current grade × (1 − final weight) + final exam score × final weight
Solving this for the final exam score gives you the formula above:
Required final score = (target − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight
- Current grade 82%, final worth 25%, target 85%: (85 − 61.5) ÷ 0.25 = 94%
- Current grade 76%, final worth 30%, target 80% (a B): (80 − 53.2) ÷ 0.30 = 89.3 → 89.4%
- Current grade 91%, final worth 20%, target 90%: (90 − 72.8) ÷ 0.20 = 86%
If your course uses separate weights for each category
Some syllabi list categories instead of a single "current grade", for example homework 20%, midterm 30%, quizzes 10% and final 40%. Multiply each category average by its weight and add them up, then use that total:
Required final score = (target − weighted total so far) ÷ final weight
Example: Homework average 95% (20%), midterm 74% (30%), quizzes 80% (10%), final 40%, target 80%.
- Weighted total so far: 95 × 0.20 + 74 × 0.30 + 80 × 0.10 = 19 + 22.2 + 8 = 49.2
- Required final: (80 − 49.2) ÷ 0.40 = 77%
Common letter grade cutoffs
Many US schools use a scale similar to this, although cutoffs and plus/minus grades vary by school and instructor:
- A: 90% and above
- B: 80% to 89%
- C: 70% to 79%
- D: 60% to 69%
- F: below 60%
Use the cutoff for the letter grade you want as your target in the calculator. Your syllabus has the exact scale for your course.
Things that can change the math
- Minimum final score rules: some courses require a minimum score on the final to pass, whatever your average is.
- Final replaces a low exam: some instructors let a strong final replace your lowest midterm score.
- Curves and extra credit: a curve or extra credit can lower the score you actually need.
- Points-based grading: if your course uses points instead of percentages, the required score is simply the points you still need to reach the target, out of the points the final is worth.
Track your grades with BudStudy
Instead of redoing these calculations for every course, you can use BudStudy. Enter a course's assessments and their weights, such as midterm 40% and final 60%, and as you add your results BudStudy shows the average you need on the remaining assessments to reach the target grade you picked. At a glance you see whether your target is still reachable, already secured or out of reach.
Last updated: 25 September 2026
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