Free calculator
What do I need on my final?
Enter your grade right now and how much the final is worth. You get the exact score you need for the grade you want — and for every other grade too.
Every class, all semester
Never do this math by hand again.
ClassPulse works out the score you need on every quiz, paper and exam as your grades come in — for every class at once. Scan a syllabus or connect Canvas, and your deadlines, weights and study plan fill themselves in. Free to start, no account needed to try it.
How the final grade formula works
Your final course grade is a mix of what you have now and what you score on the final, weighted by how much the final counts:
Final grade = current × (1 − w) + final exam × w
Solve that for the exam score and you get the number this calculator shows:
Needed on final = (target − current × (1 − w)) ÷ w
Here w is the final's weight as a decimal, so 25% becomes 0.25.
A worked example
You have an 85% in the class, the final is worth 25%, and you want to finish with at least a B (80%).
- Your current grade carries 75% of the weight: 85 × 0.75 = 63.75.
- You need 80 − 63.75 = 16.25 more points from the final.
- The final carries 25%, so 16.25 ÷ 0.25 = 65%.
A 65% on the final keeps your B. To move up to an A (90%), you would need (90 − 63.75) ÷ 0.25 = 105% — out of reach without extra credit.
Before you trust the number
- Use your weighted grade. Canvas, Blackboard and most gradebooks already show it. If yours shows a raw points total, the weights may change the answer.
- Ungraded work still counts. If assignments besides the final are still open, your current grade will move before exam day.
- Check the cutoffs. Some classes round 89.5 up to an A, others never round. Your syllabus decides.
Questions students ask
What do I need on my final to get a B?
It depends on your current grade and how much the final is worth. With an 80% B cutoff, a final worth 20% and a current grade of 78%, you need 88% on the final. Put your own numbers in above for your exact score.
What if the score I need is over 100%?
Then that grade is out of reach from the final alone, unless your class offers extra credit or drops a low score. Look at the next grade down in the table, and ask your instructor about any points still available.
Does this work with weighted categories?
Yes, as long as your current grade already reflects the weighted categories, which is what most online gradebooks show. With assignments still ungraded it is an estimate. The ClassPulse app tracks every category and deadline so the number stays exact all semester.
What percentage is an A, B, C or D?
On the most common US scale an A is 90%, a B 80%, a C 70% and a D 60%. With plus/minus grades an A usually starts at 93% and a B at 83%. Your syllabus has the exact cutoffs for your class.
Is my final worth more than I think?
Sometimes. Some classes let the final replace your lowest exam, or require a minimum final score to pass regardless of your average. Both rules are in the syllabus, usually in the grading section.