How to work out the score you need on a final
- Enter your Current grade in the class as a percentage.
- Enter the Final exam weight from your syllabus and the Grade you want to finish with.
- Read the score you need on the final, plus where you’d end up with 100% or 0%.
Why the weight matters so much
The heavier the final, the more it can move your grade in either direction. With a current grade of 78% and a goal of 80%:
| Final weight | Score needed | Grade range (0% to 100% on the final) |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 98% | 70.2% to 80.2% |
| 25% | 86% | 58.5% to 83.5% |
| 40% | 83% | 46.8% to 86.8% |
A light final barely moves your grade, so getting from 78% to 80% takes a near-perfect score. A heavy final gives you room to climb, but it can also drag you down a long way if it goes badly.
When the result doesn’t add up
The formula assumes your current grade already covers everything except the final. If you still have homework or a project to hand in, the real picture is different: those scores will shift your current grade before the exam.
Some classes also have rules the formula can’t know about, such as a minimum score on the final to pass the course, or a policy of replacing your lowest test with your final exam score. Check the syllabus if your class has either.