How the Final Grade Formula Works
Your overall grade is a weighted average: coursework counts for one share, the final exam counts for another. The formula is:
Final score needed = (Target − Current × (100 − Weight) ÷ 100) ÷ Weight × 100
Worked Example
You currently have 78% going into a final worth 30% of the grade. You want a B+ (85%) overall. Coursework contributes 78 × 0.70 = 54.6 points. The final must contribute 85 − 54.6 = 30.4 points. Since the final is worth 30 points max, you need (30.4 ÷ 30) × 100 = 101.3% — meaning a B+ is impossible without extra credit. A more realistic 82% overall would need 91.3% on the final.
UK Degree Classifications
- 70%+ — First-class honours (1st)
- 60–69% — Upper second (2:1)
- 50–59% — Lower second (2:2)
- 40–49% — Third-class
- Below 40% — Fail
US Letter Grades (typical scale)
- A+/A 93–100% A− 90–92%
- B+ 87–89% B 83–86% B− 80–82%
- C+ 77–79% C 73–76% C− 70–72%
- D 60–69% F below 60%
Important Note: Always check your course syllabus for the exact weighting and grading scale. Some institutions round and some apply a curve, which can change the score required.
Related Calculators
- Grade Calculator — Weighted course averages and final-exam-needed solver. US letter grade and UK degree class output.
- GPA Calculator — Calculate your cumulative GPA from multiple subjects using letter grades and credit hours.
- Percentage Calculator — Calculate percentages, increases, decreases and percentage of.