Final Grade Calculator — What Do I Need?
The final grade calculator answers the question every student asks before exams: "what do I need on the final to hit my target?" Enter your current grade, how much the final is worth as a percentage of your total grade, and the overall grade you want. It instantly shows the mark you need on the final — and tells you if that target is already secured or simply not achievable.
Calculator
The formula
Needed = ( target − current × (1 − finalWeight/100) ) ÷ (finalWeight/100)
Your current grade only counts for the portion of the course that is not the final — that portion is (1 − finalWeight/100). Subtract what it already contributes from your target, then divide by the final's share to get the mark you need on the final. If the result is above 100 it is not achievable; if it is below 0 the target is already secured.
Worked example
You currently sit at 78%, the final is worth 40% of the grade, and you want an overall 85%.
- The non-final portion contributes 78 × (1 − 0.40) = 78 × 0.60 = 46.8
- Needed = (85 − 46.8) ÷ 0.40 = 38.2 ÷ 0.40 = 95.5% on the final.
So you would need 95.5% on the final to finish on 85% overall.
Frequently asked questions
- What does "final is worth" mean?
- It is the percentage of your total grade that the final exam counts for. If the final is 40% of your grade, enter 40.
- Why does it say "not achievable"?
- If the required mark comes out above 100%, even a perfect final cannot reach your target — the calculator flags this so you can set a realistic goal.
- Why might it say "already secured"?
- If the required mark is below 0%, your current grade alone already guarantees the target no matter how the final goes.