About the Final Grade Calculator
"What do I need on my final to get an A?" is one of the most searched academic questions every exam season, and the math behind it is a weighted-average problem that's easy to get wrong by hand, especially when the final carries a different weight than other coursework.
This calculator works backward from your current grade, the final exam's weight in the overall course grade, and your target final grade, to solve exactly what score you'd need on the final exam — including flagging when a target is mathematically already secured or out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "final exam weight" mean?
It's the percentage of your total course grade determined by the final exam alone, as stated in your syllabus — for example, if the final is worth 20% of your grade, the remaining 80% comes from everything else (homework, quizzes, midterms) already factored into your current grade.
Why does it say my target grade is "not achievable"?
This happens when even a perfect 100% on the final wouldn't be enough to raise your current grade to the target — the math shows the target exceeds what's mathematically possible given the final's weight and your current standing.
Does this work for any grading system, not just percentages?
The calculator works in percentage terms, so convert other scales (like a 4.0 GPA scale) to an equivalent percentage first if your course uses a different grading system.