# What final grade do I need?

Computes the final exam grade needed for a course grade, or the course grade from a final exam score, from the current grade and the weight of the final.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/education/final-grade-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/education/final-grade-calculator.json
- Version: a5fe9cd7c4ae

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Current grade 84%, Final exam weight 25%, Course grade 85%): With 84% now and a final worth 25%, 88% on the final gives a course grade of 85%.

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| current | Current grade | Your grade in the course before the final exam, in percent. |
| weight | Final exam weight | The share of the course grade the final exam is worth, in percent. |
| final | Final exam grade | The grade on the final exam, in percent. A grade needed below 0% or above 100% still shows, so you see when the target is secured or out of reach. |
| overall | Course grade | The course grade after the final exam, in percent. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| current | Current grade | Your grade in the course before the final exam, in percent. |
| weight | Final exam weight | The share of the course grade the final exam is worth, in percent. |
| final | Final exam grade | The grade on the final exam, in percent: the grade needed when you give the course grade you want. |
| overall | Course grade | The course grade after the final exam, in percent. |
| letter | Course letter grade | The letter for the course grade on the Tompkins Cortland Community College scale. |
| lowest | Course grade with 0% on the final | The course grade if the final exam scores 0%: current × (1 − weight ÷ 100). |
| highest | Course grade with 100% on the final | The course grade if the final exam scores 100%: current × (1 − weight ÷ 100) + weight. |
| note | Note | Whether the final exam grade is above 100% or below 0%. |

## Method

overall = current × (1 − weight ÷ 100) + final × weight ÷ 100

## Assumptions

- The current grade is your grade on everything before the final, and the final exam makes up the rest of the course.
- Grades are in percent; values above 100% (extra credit) are allowed.
- Letter grades follow the Tompkins Cortland Community College (SUNY) scale: A 93 and up, A- 90 to below 93, B+ 87, B 83, B- 80, C+ 77, C 73, C- 70, D+ 67, D 63, D- 60, F below 60.

## Worked examples

1. current = 84%, weight = 25%, overall = 85% gives final = 88%, lowest = 63%, highest = 88%, letter = B. Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: (85 − 84 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 88%.
2. current = 84%, weight = 25%, final = 72% gives overall = 81%, letter = B-. Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: 84 × 0.75 + 72 × 0.25 = 81%.
3. current = 78%, weight = 20%, overall = 90% gives final = 138%, note = Above 100%: this course grade needs extra credit on the final.. Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: (90 − 78 × 0.8) ÷ 0.2 = 138%.
4. weight = 40%, final = 95%, overall = 89% gives current = 85%. Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: (89 − 95 × 0.4) ÷ 0.6 = 85%.
5. current = 80%, final = 92%, overall = 83% gives weight = 25%. Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: 100 × (83 − 80) ÷ (92 − 80) = 25%.

## FAQ

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

Needed = (grade you want − current grade × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight, with the weight as a decimal. With 84% now, a final worth 25%, and 85% wanted: (85 − 84 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = (85 − 63) ÷ 0.25 = 88%.

### How do I calculate my course grade after the final?

Course grade = current grade × (1 − final weight) + final exam grade × final weight. With 84% now, a final worth 25%, and 72% on the final: 84 × 0.75 + 72 × 0.25 = 63 + 18 = 81%.

### What if I need more than 100% on the final?

Then the course grade you want cannot be reached with the final alone, unless the final gives extra credit. The page shows the course grade you get with 100% on the final, so you can see the best case.

### What does the weight of the final mean?

It is the share of the course grade the final exam is worth, from your syllabus. A final worth 25% means your current grade makes up the other 75%.

### What if my class uses points instead of percentages?

Use percent for both. Your current grade is the points you have divided by the points possible so far. The final weight is the final exam points divided by the total points in the course. A 200-point final in an 800-point course is worth 25%.

### Can it find the weight of the final?

Yes. Clear the weight and enter the current grade, the final exam grade, and the course grade. Weight = 100 × (course grade − current) ÷ (final − current). With 80% now, 92% on the final, and 83% overall: 100 × 3 ÷ 12 = 25%.

## Sources

- Tompkins Cortland Community College (SUNY), Grading System: grading scale for converting between numerical and letter grades (A 93–100 through F 59 and below). https://www.tompkinscortland.edu/sites/default/files/documents/CollegeNow%20Grading%20Scale.pdf