Find What You Need on Your Final

Use our quick formula to figure out what score you need on your final exam to get an A, B, or C in the class.

The Quick Version

If you just need a fast answer: subtract your current grade's contribution from your target grade, then divide by the final's weight. Required Score = (Target − (Current Grade × Current Weight)) ÷ Final Weight. The sections below break down each piece so the formula actually makes sense instead of just being numbers to plug in.

Step 1: Find Your Final Exam's Weight

Check your syllabus for the exact percentage your final counts toward your total grade — this is usually stated explicitly, often between 10% and 50% depending on the class and school level. Whatever isn't the final's weight is your "current weight" (100% minus the final's weight).

Step 2: Multiply Your Current Grade by Its Weight

This tells you how many percentage points your existing work already "locks in" before the final is even factored in. An 88% current grade with an 80% current weight contributes 88 × 0.80 = 70.4 points toward your final total.

Step 3: Subtract That From Your Target and Divide by the Final's Weight

Whatever's left over is what the final exam alone has to make up — divided by the final's weight to find the actual percentage score needed on the exam itself.

Quick Reference: Target Grade by Letter

• A: 93% or higher (check your school's exact cutoff)
• B: 83–92%
• C: 73–82%
• D (passing at most schools): 60–72%

Enter whichever number matches your goal as the target grade.

Let the Calculator Do the Arithmetic

Doing this by hand under finals-week stress is where decimal errors creep in. Our Final Grade Calculator takes your current grade, final weight, and target grade, and instantly tells you the exact score needed — plus whether it's realistic.