What Grade Do I Need on My Final Exam?
Updated June 2026
What you need on the final.
Walking into a final, the real question is: "what do I need to score to keep my grade?" Here's the formula — and a tool that does it instantly.
The formula
You need three numbers: your current grade, the grade you want, and how much the final is worth (its weight). Then:
Required = (Goal − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight
Worked example
You have an 88% in the class. You want a 90%. The final is worth 20% (0.20) of your grade.
Required = (90 − 88 × 0.80) ÷ 0.20 = (90 − 70.4) ÷ 0.20 = 19.6 ÷ 0.20 = 98%.
So you'd need a 98 on the final to bump an 88 up to a 90 — useful to know before exam day.
What if the number is over 100?
If the formula spits out something above 100%, your target isn't reachable with this final alone (barring extra credit). Lower the target and recalculate to see what is achievable.
What if it's negative or very low?
A low or negative required score means you've already locked in your goal — even a poor final keeps your target grade. Good news.
What you need on the final.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the weight of my final?
Check your syllabus — it lists how grades are broken down (e.g. "Final exam: 20%"). That percentage is the weight.
What if my class uses points, not percentages?
Divide your earned points by total possible points so far to get your current percentage, then use the formula.