How to use the final exam score calculator
The week before a final, the only question that matters is what score protects the grade you want. A course grade is not the plain average of two exams: the midterm and the final carry different weights and coursework is folded in as well, so working from an average badly misjudges what the final has to deliver. This calculator treats the midterm and coursework as settled and solves only for the final.
It works in two steps. Your midterm score is divided by the exam maximum and multiplied by the midterm weight, your coursework points are divided by the coursework maximum and multiplied by the coursework weight, and the two together give the points already secured. The final's weight is still untouched, so subtracting the secured points from your target and dividing by the final weight gives the share the final has to cover. All three weights must total 100%.
The required score is rounded up, so scoring it lands your course grade at or above the target, and landing exactly on the target counts as reached. If even a perfect final falls short, the calculator says so and reports the best course grade still available, which is the number you need when deciding whether to reset the target. Take the weights from your syllabus rather than guessing them.
Frequently asked questions
A course grade is not the plain average of two exams. The midterm and final carry different weights and coursework counts as well, so this calculator applies all three weights and solves only for the final. A small final weight makes the required score much higher.
A message appears and nothing is calculated, because a course grade out of 100 only makes sense when the midterm, final and coursework weights total 100%. For an exam-only course, enter 0 for the coursework weight.
Yes. The required score is rounded up, so scoring the number shown lands your course grade at or above the target. Landing exactly on the target counts as reached, not missed.