What Score Do I Need on My Final Exam?
Enter your current grade, how much your final exam is worth, and your target — the calculator tells you exactly what score you need. No estimation, algebraically exact.
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Required Final Exam Score
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The Exact Formula
Required Final Score = (Target Grade − Current Grade × (1 − Final Weight)) ÷ Final Weight
Example: Current grade 82%, final worth 30%, target 90%.
Required = (90 − 82 × 0.70) ÷ 0.30 = (90 − 57.4) ÷ 0.30 = >100%
Required = (90 − 82 × 0.70) ÷ 0.30 = (90 − 57.4) ÷ 0.30 = >100%
Quick Reference Table — 30% Final Weight
| Current Grade | 20% Final | 25% Final | 30% Final | 35% Final | 40% Final | 45% Final | 50% Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% |
| 60% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% |
| 65% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% |
| 70% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% |
| 75% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% |
| 80% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | >100% | 100.0% |
| 85% | >100% | >100% | >100% | 99.3% | 97.5% | 96.1% | 95.0% |
| 90% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% | 90.0% |
| 95% | 70.0% | 75.0% | 78.3% | 80.7% | 82.5% | 83.9% | 85.0% |
What Affects Your Required Score
Final weight is the biggest lever. The higher the weight, the more the final exam can move your grade — up or down. A 20% final can't rescue you if you're 15 points below your target; a 50% final can.
Current grade accuracy matters. Use the overall running percentage from your LMS — not a manually calculated average. Gradebooks use weighted averages internally, and manual calculations often introduce errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Required = (Target − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight. Or enter your numbers into the calculator above.
Log into Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or your LMS. Look for your running overall grade percentage — not individual assignment scores.
Your target grade is no longer achievable this semester based on the math. Lower your target and recalculate, or ask your professor about extra credit or curves.
The formula is the same — enter the weight of the take-home and your current grade. The format of the assessment doesn't change the grade math.
It is algebraically exact given the inputs. The only variable is whether your entered current grade is accurate.
Related Grade Target Pages
Need an A Need a B Need a C Need to Pass Need a B+ Need an A− Can I Still Get an A? Can I Still Pass?Use the Full Final Grade Calculator
Adjust any weight, current grade, or target — instant results.