What Do I Need on My Final Exam to Pass?
To pass with a 70% when you currently have a 65% and the final is worth 20%, you need a 90.0% on your final exam.
The required final exam score depends on your current running average, the target passing grade (60% for a D or 70% for a C), and the percentage weight of the final exam.
How This Is Calculated
For example, with a current grade of 65% (0.65), a target of 70% (0.70), and a 20% final (0.20): Required = [70 - 65 × (1 - 0.20)] ÷ 0.20 = [70 - 52] ÷ 0.20 = 18 ÷ 0.20 = 90.0%.
The higher the weight of your final exam, the more influence it exerts on your overall course grade. A 30% or 40% final makes it much easier to recover from a lower running grade.
If your calculated required score exceeds 100%, check if your instructor offers extra credit or curves the final exam.
Interactive Grade Calculator
Adjust the points or percentage below to calculate custom test and assignment grades in real time.
Enter Percentage
Convert raw percentage score into letter grade, 4.0 GPA point, and band.
Enter any percentage score (e.g. 89.5, 92, 78.4, 105 for extra credit)
Teacher Policy Note: Scores like 89.5% round up to 90% (A-) under 0-decimal standard rounding, but remain in the B+ band under unrounded truncation. Always check your syllabus policy.
Grade Comparison & Reference Table
Required final exam scores based on current grades and final exam weights.
| Current Grade | Final Weight | To Pass with D (60%) | To Pass with C (70%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65% | 20% | 40.0% needed | 90.0% needed |
| 60% | 20% | 60.0% needed | 110.0% (Extra Credit needed) |
| 65% | 30% | 48.3% needed | 81.7% needed |
| 70% | 20% | 20.0% needed | 70.0% needed |
| 55% | 25% | 75.0% needed | 115.0% (Extra Credit needed) |
Final Grade Calculator
Enter your exact running grade and syllabus weight to compute your personalized required final score.
Related Grade Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I need over 100% on the final to pass?
If the mathematical formula yields a required score over 100%, you cannot mathematically pass without extra credit, a grade curve, or dropped assignments.
How do I calculate what I need to get a C?
Use the formula: Required = (70 - Current × (1 - Final Weight)) / Final Weight.