// finals week
What score do I need on the final?
Three inputs. One answer. Type in your current grade, the final exam weight, and the grade you are aiming for. The calculator gives you the exact score you need on the final.
Updated 28 April 2026
What do I need on the final?
You need on the final
101.7%
This target is not achievable without extra credit.
The formula
required = (target - current x (1 - finalWeight)) / finalWeight
Worked example: Current grade 85%. Final weight 30%. Target B+ (87%).
required = (87 - 85 x 0.70) / 0.30 = (87 - 59.5) / 0.30 = 27.5 / 0.30 = 91.7%
Quick reference: required final exam scores
Find your current grade and final exam weight in the rows. The columns show what you need on the final to land each letter grade. Numbers marked with * exceed 100% and are not achievable without extra credit.
| Current | Final wt | For A (93%) | For A- (90%) | For B+ (87%) | For B (83%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95% | 20% | 83.0% | 68.0% | 53.0% | 33.0% |
| 95% | 30% | 88.3% | 78.3% | 68.3% | 55.0% |
| 90% | 20% | 105.0%* | 90.0% | 75.0% | 55.0% |
| 90% | 30% | 100.0% | 90.0% | 80.0% | 66.7% |
| 85% | 20% | 125.0%* | 110.0%* | 95.0% | 75.0% |
| 85% | 30% | 111.7%* | 101.7%* | 91.7% | 78.3% |
| 85% | 40% | 105.0%* | 97.5% | 90.0% | 80.0% |
| 80% | 20% | 145.0%* | 130.0%* | 115.0%* | 95.0% |
| 80% | 30% | 123.3%* | 113.3%* | 103.3%* | 90.0% |
| 80% | 40% | 112.5%* | 105.0%* | 97.5% | 87.5% |
| 75% | 30% | 135.0%* | 125.0%* | 115.0%* | 101.7%* |
| 75% | 40% | 120.0%* | 112.5%* | 105.0%* | 95.0% |
| 70% | 30% | 146.7%* | 136.7%* | 126.7%* | 113.3%* |
| 70% | 40% | 127.5%* | 120.0%* | 112.5%* | 102.5%* |
* Score exceeds 100%, not achievable without extra credit. Standard scale: A = 93%+, A- = 90 to 92%, B+ = 87 to 89%, B = 83 to 86%.
What the table tells us
// 95% gives you flexibility
A 95% going in is a buffer
With a 95% current grade and a 30% final, you only need 88.3% to keep the A. You can score as low as 55% on the final and still earn a B. Consistent performance through the semester is worth more than any single exam.
// 85% threshold
Below 85%, an A is hard
Once your current grade dips under 85%, an A (93%) usually requires above 100% on the final. At 80% with a 30% final you would need 123.3%. Even an A- needs 113.3%. B+ becomes the realistic ceiling.
// heavy final = recovery
A heavier final helps you catch up
Counterintuitively, a 40% final exam is your friend if you are behind. At 80% current, B+ requires 97.5% on a 40% final but a brutal 115% on a 20% final. The heavier the final, the more your final performance can move the needle.
When your target is impossible
If the required score exceeds 100%, you have three plays. First, ask about extra credit. Some professors allow bonus questions on the final worth 5 to 10 extra points. Second, ask about curving. In large lectures, curves can shift grade boundaries by 2 to 5 percentage points. Third, adjust your target. Putting study time into a B+ that is achievable beats stressing over an A- that is not.
One more option: some classes allow grade replacement, where a strong final replaces a weaker midterm. Check the syllabus or ask directly. If your class has this policy, the final exam moves your grade more than its base weight suggests.
How heavy is the final, usually?
| Course type | Typical final weight |
|---|---|
| High school class | 15 to 20% |
| College humanities lecture | 25 to 35% |
| College STEM course | 30 to 50% |
| College seminar | 20 to 30% |
| Graduate course | 20 to 40% |
Ranges based on commonly observed syllabus weights across US institutions. Your specific class may differ. Treat these as priors, not facts: the syllabus you were handed is the source of truth.