FinalAim
Final Grade Calculator
Current grade, weight of the final, target grade — get the exact score you need to land on the final.
Score you need on a final worth 30% of the course grade
Each row takes a current course grade and solves the calculator's formula, needed = (target - current x (1 - weight)) / weight, with the final exam weight held at 30%. The four columns are the four grade lines students most often aim at: an A- at 90%, a B- at 80%, a C- at 70%, and a bare pass at 60%.
| Current grade | Needed for a 90% (A-) | Needed for an 80% (B-) | Needed for a 70% (C-) | Needed for a 60% (D-) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95% | 78.3% | 45.0% | 11.7% | Already secured |
| 90% | 90.0% | 56.7% | 23.3% | Already secured |
| 88% | 94.7% | 61.3% | 28.0% | Already secured |
| 85% | 101.7% | 68.3% | 35.0% | 1.7% |
| 82% | 108.7% | 75.3% | 42.0% | 8.7% |
| 80% | 113.3% | 80.0% | 46.7% | 13.3% |
| 78% | 118.0% | 84.7% | 51.3% | 18.0% |
| 75% | 125.0% | 91.7% | 58.3% | 25.0% |
| 70% | 136.7% | 103.3% | 70.0% | 36.7% |
| 65% | 148.3% | 115.0% | 81.7% | 48.3% |
| 60% | 160.0% | 126.7% | 93.3% | 60.0% |
Any figure above 100% means the target is out of reach on the final alone, so the realistic move is extra credit, a make-up assignment, or a lower target. Already secured means the calculator returns a negative percentage: even a zero on the final still clears that line. Everything here assumes a 30% final; a lighter final pulls the needed score further from your current grade and a heavier one pulls it closer, so enter your syllabus weight above. It also assumes your current grade already reflects every graded item and that the course does not curve or drop a low score.
When the math says 'impossible'
If you need >100% to hit your target, the target is mathematically out of reach with just the final. Talk to your professor about extra credit.
How the formula works
Required final grade = (Target − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight. For example, if your current grade is 82%, the final is worth 40%, and you want a 90%: (90 − 82 × 0.6) ÷ 0.4 = (90 − 49.2) ÷ 0.4 = 102%. That means you'd need over 100% — the target isn't reachable.
Frequently asked questions
What grade do I need on my final?
It depends on your current grade, the final's weight, and your target. Enter all three in the calculator above. For example: if you have an 85% and the final is worth 30%, you need a 96.7% on the final to finish with a 90%.
How much does the final affect my grade?
That depends on its weight in the syllabus. A final worth 40% can swing your grade dramatically — it could raise an 80% to a 90% if you score 95%, or drop it to a 74% if you score 71%. The heavier the final's weight, the more it matters.
What if I need more than 100% on the final?
If the calculator shows you need >100%, the target is mathematically impossible with the final alone. Your options: talk to your professor about extra credit, see if missed assignments can be made up, or set a more realistic target grade.
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Last updated: September 6, 2026