Required Grade Calculator

Formula used

This calculator assumes the course totals 100% weight.

• Σ(Scoreᵢ × Weightᵢ) sums completed weighted points.
• RemainingWeight is the percent still ungraded.
• If the required score exceeds 100%, the target is unreachable.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter your target final grade.
2. Add each completed component with score and weight.
3. Confirm the remaining weight shown at the table bottom.
4. Click Calculate required grade.
5. Use CSV/PDF buttons to download your result report.

Weighted grading overview

A final grade is typically a weighted average of several components. Each completed item adds Score × Weight points to the course total, where weight is the percent share of the course. For example, an 80% test at 25% weight contributes 20.0 points toward a 100‑point final. Tracking these points helps you spot which assessments drive outcomes most.

Planning for remaining assessments

The remaining weight is the portion of the course still able to change your final result. If 60% is already graded, only 40% is left to move the needle, so late improvements must be strategic. Use this calculator before major exams to set a study plan, decide whether to prioritize high‑weight tasks, and estimate how much a small score increase will matter.

Interpreting required score results

The required score is the average you must earn across all ungraded work to meet your target. A value below 0 means the target is already secured by completed points; the remaining work can only affect how far above target you finish. A value above 100 indicates the target is mathematically unreachable under the current weights and scores, so you may need a new target or a different grading policy.

Handling policies and edge cases

Courses often include rules that change effective weights. If your instructor drops the lowest quiz, remove that quiz from the list and ensure the remaining weights match the syllabus. If there is optional extra credit, model it as additional points or as a small weighted component, depending on how the course is scored. When partial credit is common, keep one decimal place so your plan stays realistic.

Exporting and tracking progress

After each calculation, export CSV to store results in a spreadsheet and build a timeline of your required score weekly. Export PDF when you need a clean shareable snapshot for advising, tutoring, or parent updates. Recalculate after every new grade so you can see trend changes, identify turning points, and adjust revision effort before the next deadline.

FAQs

1) What does “required score” represent?

It is the average percentage you must earn on all remaining, ungraded work to reach the target final grade under the entered weights.

2) Why does the calculator assume a 100% course total?

Most syllabi express weights as percentages that sum to 100. The tool uses that standard so completed weighted points map directly to the final percentage.

3) What if my weights do not add up correctly?

If completed weights exceed 100, remaining weight becomes negative and results lose meaning. Adjust weights to match the syllabus, or remove items that are not part of the final grade.

4) Can I use points instead of percentages?

Convert each component to a percentage first, then enter that percentage as the score. Keep the weight as the component’s share of the course grade.

5) How should I model a dropped lowest score?

Exclude the dropped item from your completed list and enter only the remaining items that count. Then confirm the weights reflect the adjusted grading rule.

6) What does it mean when the required score is over 100?

It means the target cannot be reached with the remaining weight under normal scoring. Consider revising the target, checking weights, or accounting for extra credit if available.