Looking for a grade calculator to calculate your study grades? Our simple to use grade calculator allows you to calculate weighted grade calculation for letter and percent grades, and also helps you figure out what you need to get in your finals to get your desired grade.
- Assessment
- Grade (%)
- Grade (Letter)
- % of Class Grade
What do I need on my final?
Grade Calculator – Step by Step Instructions
You can use a grade calculator for 2 reasons:
- Determining your overall grade in a course
- Determining what you need to score to earn your ideal final grade
1. Calculate Grades
- Determine the grading scale for your course. Usually your teacher will provide you with his/her point system—check the course syllabus for details. See how much each assignment category is worth (i.e. midterm–30%, quizzes–25%, etc.)
- Click the “Course Name” box, and enter the name of your course.
- Enter the Assessment type (quiz, test, midterm, homework, etc.)
- Enter your grade on the assessment. You can enter a percentage or a letter grade.
- Enter the percentage weight for each assessment (i.e. midterm–30%, quizzes–25%, etc.)
- Repeat this process for all courses and assessments.
Pro tip: It is important that you keep all graded work until the end of the semester as teachers are humans and may enter your grade in the system incorrectly.
2. Calculate Final Grades
- In the “Desired Grade” column, enter the grade you would like to earn for the course.
- In the “Final Worth” column, enter the percentage that the final exam is worth of your total course grade (i.e. final exam=45% of your total grade for a course.)
- Grade calculator will provide you with an estimate of the final exam grade you will need to achieve the course grade that you desire.
The grade calculator will do the easy part by determining the grade you need. Now it’s up to you to do the work to earn the grade you desire.
Curious about your GPA? Check out our GPA calculators: college GPA or high school GPA. Also, check out our GPA guide to learn more on how to calculate your GPA.
Need more grade calculations? Check out our weighted grade calculator and semester grade calculator.
How do I improve my grades?
If your current grade in a course isn’t exactly what you want it to be, there are still several things you can do to improve your grade. Also, if you have figured out what you need to earn to get your desired grade in a course, you might be wondering how to earn those extra points. Once you’re motivated to improve your course results, there are many things you can do to be on the road to success. Here are a few helpful tips to improve your semester grade for a course.
1. Earn the effort points
Teachers often have assignments that are based on effort. Sometimes these are homework assignments or participation points. Whenever a teacher is willing to give points for effort, make sure to put in the effort and get those points. Complete the homework assignments. Participate in class. These points are within your control. Effort grades should always be 100%. Do the work, and you will start to see improvements in your grade.
2. Talk to the teacher
When you’re looking for ways to improve in a course, start by talking to your teacher. Ask him if there are suggestions he might have to help you. Look to see if you have any missing assignments, and ask the teacher if he might give you half-credit for the work if you offer to complete it. Maybe the teacher will allow you a chance to retake a quiz or test that wasn’t your best. Perhaps the teacher will offer you an extra credit assignment or make you aware of a future extra credit assignment you can complete. Of course, these changes are up to your teacher; however, the willingness to ask for help is completely within your power.
3. Find help understanding course material
If you do not understand what is being taught in your course, get help as soon as possible. Seek out a tutor. Find a friend in the course who understands and who will help you. Perhaps there are some Youtube videos that might help you understand the material being presented. There are also other online materials that might help you see the material in a different way.
4. Create better study habits
It’s always a good idea to do a little bit of review each day of course material rather than to try to cram it all in at the last minute. Set aside a few minutes each day to look over previously presented information. Interact with the material in some way. If you have vocabulary words, write them multiple times on a piece of paper. If you have new math concepts, do some practice problems. Write down questions that might arise, and bring them back to your teacher the next day so you can get some clarification. You can also use flashcards to flip through information whenever you have a few spare minutes. If you prefer to interact with technology, there are plenty of review websites online that can be used. Quizlet.com is a popular site that has many pre-made lists of interactive flashcards and activities.
5. Commit, plan, and make it happen
Ultimately changing your grade will require changing your habits. Use a planner or a calendar to write down your commitment to your new habits and your goals for your courses. Schedule your study time, and stick to it. Provide yourself with some boundaries such as no electronics until you’re finished with homework. It will take discipline, but it will be worth it in the end.
With a few simple changes, you can make improvements to your course performance. Once you dedicate yourself to working hard and seeking help, you can begin earning the grades you want to receive. Your desired grade can be within your reach.
Grade Calculator – Frequently Asked Questions
How to calculate class grade?
To calculate a class grade, you must know your teacher or professor’s grading system. If your teacher or professor uses a total points system, you first need to add up all of your grades. Then, add up how many points were possible for each of those grades. Divide how many points you earned by the number of points possible, and you will determine your class grade. If your teacher or professor uses a grading system based on categories of different values, it is more complicated. For example, some teachers made tests and quizzes worth more points that classwork and homework. If your teacher uses categories, here is how you determine your class grade: Separately, for each category, add up all of your scores. Then, add up how many points were possible in that category. Divide your scores total by the points possible. That is how you determine the category grade. Do this for each category. You must know how much each category is weighted. Usually, this information will be listed on a class syllabus or a teacher’s web site. Multiply your category grade by how much it is weighted. For example, if tests are worth 50% of your class grade, multiply your test category grade by .50. If homework is worth 50% of your grade, multiply your homework category grade by .50. Then, add up the two scores. That is your class grade.
How to calculate report card grades?
To calculate report card grades in high school, you must know how much your final exam is worth. Normally, final exams are worth 20% of your report card grade. That means the first quarter is worth 40% and the second quarter is worth 40%. Take your first quarter grade and multiple it by .40. Take your second quarter grade and multiply it by .40. Then, take your final exam grade and multiply it by .20. Add those three scores together, and that will be your report card grade.
How to calculate grade percentages?
To calculate grade percentages, you must know the score you received on the particular assignment or test. You must also know the total points possible. Divide the score you received by the total points possible. That is your grade percentage.
What Are the Types of Grades?
Your teachers and professors evaluate your performance in class and provide grades that represent your efforts. The grading system varies from school to school. For example, some schools only write “Pass” or “Fail,” while some give a detailed evaluation of the student’s performance.
Your grades may be written using percentage, where your score is labeled from 0 percent to 100 percent, or with letters that are given with corresponding scores. The number and difficulty level of your class also factors in your resulting grade.
Here is a table of the corresponding value of your grades:
Letter Grade | Percentage | 4.0 Scale |
A+ | 97-100 | 4.0 |
A | 93-96 | 4.0 |
A- | 90-92 | 3.7 |
B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |
B | 83-86 | 3.0 |
B- | 80-82 | 2.7 |
C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
D | 65-66 | 1.0 |
E/F | Below 65 | 0.0 |
Here are some of the types of grades you might see in your grading card:
A, A+, A- | The highest mark you can achieve. Excellent! |
B, B+, B- | 80% to 89% mark: Good job. |
C, C+, C- | Ranges from 70% to 79%: Satisfactory results. |
D, D+, D- | Requires more effort, but still considered. |
P | Pass |
S | Satisfactory |
U | Unsatisfactory |
W | Withdrew |
I | Incomplete |
R | Repeat |
F | Fail |
* | No grade available |
Aside from percentage and letter grading, you may also be provided with a different system of measuring your academic capabilities:
- Mastery Grading – You can receive a mark of “Master” or “Passer” if you reach a certain level of accomplishment.
- Standards Grading – Students’ performances are graded using a standard.
- Narrative Grading – Professors, staff, and faculty give you a review and commendation.
How is a student’s overall grade typically calculated?
Grades are usually calculated based on the weighted average of their scores in various assignments, exams, and projects throughout a course.
What is the significance of a grade point average (GPA)?
A GPA represents a student’s average performance across all their courses, providing a standardized measure of their academic achievement.
How are letter grades typically converted to GPA values?
Letter grades are assigned numerical values (e.g., A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) and the GPA is calculated by averaging these values.
What is the purpose of assigning different weightages to assignments and exams?
Assigning different weightages reflects the importance of different assessments in determining a student’s understanding of the material.
How do professors determine the weightage for each assignment or exam?
Weightages are often assigned based on the relative importance of different topics or the effort required for each task.
Can a single low score significantly impact a student’s overall grade?
Yes, if an assignment or exam carries a high weightage, a low score on it can have a significant impact on the overall grade.
What is a weighted grade?
A weighted grade takes into account the different weightages of assignments, exams, and other assessments to calculate a more accurate representation of a student’s performance.
How can a student calculate their own course grade?
Students can calculate their grade by multiplying their scores by the respective weightages and then summing these values.
What is an “incomplete” grade?
An incomplete grade is given when a student is unable to complete the course requirements within the allotted time due to special circumstances. They’re usually given an extension to finish the work.
How does extra credit affect grade calculation?
Extra credit can boost a student’s grade by adding extra points to their total score, potentially improving their final grade.
What is a “curve” in grade calculation?
Curving involves adjusting scores to fit a predetermined distribution, which can impact how individual scores map to letter grades.
How does grade calculation differ in pass/fail courses?
Pass/fail courses usually do not use traditional letter grades but instead focus on whether the student meets a minimum performance standard to pass the course.
How can a student recover from a low grade early in the course?
By focusing on subsequent assignments and exams with higher weightages, a student can gradually improve their overall grade.
What is a cumulative GPA?
A cumulative GPA includes all courses taken over a student’s academic career, providing an overall measure of their performance.
How can a student predict the grades they need to achieve a desired final grade?
By using a grade calculator, students can input their current scores and desired final grade to determine what scores they need on future assignments or exams.
How do professors ensure the fairness and accuracy of their grade calculations?
Professors often use rubrics, clear grading criteria, and occasionally double-check calculations to maintain fairness and accuracy.
What happens if a professor makes a grading mistake?
Students can usually approach the professor to rectify the error, providing evidence of the mistake if needed.
How do weighted grades affect the impact of different assignments on the final grade?
Weighted grades ensure that assignments with higher weightages have a proportionally greater impact on the final grade.
What is a “drop score” in grade calculation?
A drop score is a policy where the lowest score among a set of assignments or exams is excluded from the grade calculation, allowing for minor setbacks.
Are there standardized methods for grade calculation across different institutions?
While many institutions use similar principles, specific grading policies can vary widely, leading to differences in calculation methods.