Grading at Northwestern University
Northwestern uses letter grades with +/- on a quarter system. Many programs have cumulative finals worth 30-40%.
Finals at Northwestern typically count 25-40% of the course grade, though this varies significantly by department, professor, and course level. Always verify the exact weight in your course syllabus.
Quick Estimate (35% final weight): With an 80% current grade - to get an A (90%) you need >100% on the final. To hold a B (80%) you need 80.0%.
Score Reference Table for Northwestern Students (35% Final)
This table uses 35% as the final weight - a common midpoint for Northwestern. Adjust the calculator above to your actual syllabus weight for precise results.
| Current Grade | Need for A (90%) | Need for B (80%) | Need for C (70%) | Need to Pass (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | >100% | >100% | 88.6% | 60.0% |
| 65% | >100% | >100% | 79.3% | 50.7% |
| 70% | >100% | 98.6% | 70.0% | 41.4% |
| 75% | >100% | 89.3% | 60.7% | 32.1% |
| 78% | >100% | 83.7% | 55.1% | 26.6% |
| 80% | >100% | 80.0% | 51.4% | 22.9% |
| 82% | >100% | 76.3% | 47.7% | 19.1% |
| 85% | 99.3% | 70.7% | 42.1% | 13.6% |
| 88% | 93.7% | 65.1% | 36.6% | 8.0% |
| 90% | 90.0% | 61.4% | 32.9% | 4.3% |
| 92% | 86.3% | 57.7% | 29.1% | 0.6% |
| 95% | 80.7% | 52.1% | 23.6% | ✓ Done |
Tips for Finals at Northwestern
Northwestern's CAESAR portal tracks grades; the quarter system means frequent high-stakes assessments.
- Confirm your syllabus weight immediately. The exact final weight determines everything in this calculation. The calculator default is an estimate; the syllabus controls.
- Use your school's academic resources. Northwestern likely has tutoring centers, writing labs, and TA office hours. These are underused by most students and especially effective in the final weeks.
- Know the grade cutoffs for your program. Some programs require a minimum grade to count toward your major. A C- in a pre-med prerequisite may not count. Know the actual threshold that matters for you.
- Plan your finals week schedule. Use the study hours planner to allocate time across all your courses before finals week begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Northwestern uses letter grades with +/- on a quarter system. Many programs have cumulative finals worth 30-40%.
Finals at Northwestern typically count 25-40% of the course grade. Always verify in your specific course syllabus.
Check your course management system at Northwestern for your running overall grade. Divide total points earned by total possible if only raw scores are shown.
Lower your target and recalculate to find a realistic goal. Also contact your professor to ask about extra credit or incomplete grade policies.
Northwestern uses letter grades with +/- on a quarter system. Many programs have cumulative finals w. If curves are applied after the exam, you will need to recalculate once you see the adjusted score.
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