What Do I Need on My Final? (How to Actually Work It Out)

It's the most-Googled question of finals week, and the answer is just one formula. Here's how to find the exact score you need - and why guessing usually goes wrong.

The formula

To hit a target overall grade, the score you need on your final is:

Needed = (Target - Current × (100 - Final weight) ÷ 100) ÷ (Final weight ÷ 100)

Let's break that down with a real example.

A worked example

Suppose:

• Your current grade is 85%
• You want an overall 90%
• Your final is worth 30% of the grade

The other 70% of your grade is already locked in at 85%, which contributes 85 × 0.70 = 59.5 points. You need 90 total, so the final must supply 90 - 59.5 = 30.5 points out of its 30% weight:

30.5 ÷ 0.30 = 101.7%

That's above 100% - meaning a 90 isn't reachable with this final alone. Good to know before you walk in.

Two mistakes to avoid

1. Averaging your current grade with the final. That only works if the final is worth exactly 50%. Use the weight.
2. Forgetting what's already banked. Most of your grade is usually decided before the final. That's often good news - it means you need less than you think.

Let a tool do it

Plug your numbers into the free Final Grade Calculator and it'll tell you instantly - including whether your target is even possible.

If you are not sure what your current grade is yet, start with the Weighted Grade Calculator or the step-by-step guide to calculating a weighted grade.

Better yet, the MyGrades app shows this live for every class, all semester. So instead of scrambling during finals week, you always know the number you're playing for.

What if I just want to pass?

Set your target to your school's passing grade (often 50% or 60%) and the same formula tells you the minimum you need. Sometimes that number is surprisingly low - and knowing it takes a lot of stress out of the room.