Grading Systems at California Colleges
A/B/C/D/F with +/- at UC/CSU campuses; pass/no pass options at community colleges. Finals at most California institutions count 25-40% of the course grade, though this varies by school, department, and professor.
California public universities often curve STEM courses to a B-/C+ class average. Verify final weights in your syllabus.
Score Reference Table for California Students (30% Final)
| Current Grade | Need for A (90%) | Need for B (80%) | Need for C (70%) | Need to Pass (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | >100% | >100% | 93.3% | 60.0% |
| 65% | >100% | >100% | 81.7% | 48.3% |
| 70% | >100% | >100% | 70.0% | 36.7% |
| 75% | >100% | 91.7% | 58.3% | 25.0% |
| 78% | >100% | 84.7% | 51.3% | 18.0% |
| 80% | >100% | 80.0% | 46.7% | 13.3% |
| 82% | >100% | 75.3% | 42.0% | 8.7% |
| 85% | >100% | 68.3% | 35.0% | 1.7% |
| 88% | 94.7% | 61.3% | 28.0% | ✓ Done |
| 90% | 90.0% | 56.7% | 23.3% | ✓ Done |
| 92% | 85.3% | 52.0% | 18.7% | ✓ Done |
| 95% | 78.3% | 45.0% | 11.7% | ✓ Done |
Finding Your Exact Final Weight
The most important step is confirming the exact final weight for your specific course. In California, most professors list this in the grading breakdown section of the syllabus, usually in the first few pages.
- Check your syllabus first — it is always the authoritative source for your specific course.
- Look at your gradebook — your course management system (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle) may display the final exam as a graded item with its point value.
- Ask your professor or TA — one quick email or office hours question will confirm it.
School-Specific Calculators in California
- Uc Berkeley Final Grade Calculator
- Ucla Final Grade Calculator
- Uc San Diego Final Grade Calculator
- Uc Davis Final Grade Calculator