Final Exam Score Tables — What You Need for an A, B, or C
No calculator needed — just look up your answer. Each table below covers one common final exam weight. Find your current grade in the left column, read across to your target grade column, and the cell tells you the minimum score you need on the final.
One cell, traced by hand
Pick the 20% final table, the row for an 85% current grade, and the A (90) column — the table says 110 (not possible). Here is exactly how that number is computed:
| Step | Math |
|---|---|
| 1. Remaining course weight | 1 − 0.20 = 0.80 |
| 2. Points you already banked | 85 × 0.80 = 68 |
| 3. Points still needed | 90 − 68 = 22 |
| 4. Score needed on the final | 22 ÷ 0.20 = 110 |
110% is more than any exam allows, so the A is out of reach at this weight — but look at the same row's B (80) column: 60. A very realistic target.
What if your cell says "not possible"?
Three honest options, in order of effort:
- Lower the target. In the example above, the B column needs only 60% — and a B still protects your GPA.
- Raise your current grade first. Ask about extra credit, quiz re-takes, or dropped lowest scores before finals week. Even a 3-point bump in the current grade lowers every cell in your row.
- Check the weight. Some courses let the final replace your lowest exam — that effectively raises your current grade and changes the whole row.
The tables
Final worth 10% (0.10)
| Current grade | Need for A (90) | Need for B (80) | Need for C (70) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 360 (not possible) | 260 (not possible) | 160 (not possible) |
| 65% | 315 (not possible) | 215 (not possible) | 115 (not possible) |
| 70% | 270 (not possible) | 170 (not possible) | 70.0 |
| 75% | 225 (not possible) | 125 (not possible) | 25.0 |
| 80% | 180 (not possible) | 80.0 | already secured |
| 85% | 135 (not possible) | 35.0 | already secured |
| 90% | 90.0 | already secured | already secured |
| 95% | 45.0 | already secured | already secured |
Final worth 20% (0.20)
| Current grade | Need for A (90) | Need for B (80) | Need for C (70) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 210 (not possible) | 160 (not possible) | 110 (not possible) |
| 65% | 190 (not possible) | 140 (not possible) | 90.0 |
| 70% | 170 (not possible) | 120 (not possible) | 70.0 |
| 75% | 150 (not possible) | 100.0 | 50.0 |
| 80% | 130 (not possible) | 80.0 | 30.0 |
| 85% | 110 (not possible) | 60.0 | 10.0 |
| 90% | 90.0 | 40.0 | already secured |
| 95% | 70.0 | 20.0 | already secured |
Final worth 25% (0.25)
| Current grade | Need for A (90) | Need for B (80) | Need for C (70) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 180 (not possible) | 140 (not possible) | 100.0 |
| 65% | 165 (not possible) | 125 (not possible) | 85.0 |
| 70% | 150 (not possible) | 110 (not possible) | 70.0 |
| 75% | 135 (not possible) | 95.0 | 55.0 |
| 80% | 120 (not possible) | 80.0 | 40.0 |
| 85% | 105 (not possible) | 65.0 | 25.0 |
| 90% | 90.0 | 50.0 | 10.0 |
| 95% | 75.0 | 35.0 | already secured |
Final worth 33% (one-third)
| Current grade | Need for A (90) | Need for B (80) | Need for C (70) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 150 (not possible) | 120 (not possible) | 90.0 |
| 65% | 140 (not possible) | 110 (not possible) | 80.0 |
| 70% | 130 (not possible) | 100.0 | 70.0 |
| 75% | 120 (not possible) | 90.0 | 60.0 |
| 80% | 110 (not possible) | 80.0 | 50.0 |
| 85% | 100.0 | 70.0 | 40.0 |
| 90% | 90.0 | 60.0 | 30.0 |
| 95% | 80.0 | 50.0 | 20.0 |
Final worth 50% (one-half)
| Current grade | Need for A (90) | Need for B (80) | Need for C (70) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% | 120 (not possible) | 100.0 | 80.0 |
| 65% | 115 (not possible) | 95.0 | 75.0 |
| 70% | 110 (not possible) | 90.0 | 70.0 |
| 75% | 105 (not possible) | 85.0 | 65.0 |
| 80% | 100.0 | 80.0 | 60.0 |
| 85% | 95.0 | 75.0 | 55.0 |
| 90% | 90.0 | 70.0 | 50.0 |
| 95% | 85.0 | 65.0 | 45.0 |
How the tables were computed: every cell uses needed = (target − current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight, the standard final-exam formula. Cells above 100 are marked "not possible"; cells below 0 are marked "already secured". The 33% table treats the final as exactly one-third of the course.
Need a weight that's not in the tables?
Open the Final Exam Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read these final exam tables?
Pick the table matching your final's weight, find your current grade in the left column, then read across to your target grade's column. The number shown is the minimum score you need on the final to reach that target.
What does "not possible" mean in the table?
It means the math says you would need more than 100% on the final — which is impossible without extra credit. Either lower your target grade or look for extra-credit opportunities to raise your current grade first.
What does "already secured" mean?
It means you can score a zero on the final and still finish at or above that target. You should still take the final seriously — a low score on a heavily weighted exam can still drag a higher target down.
What if my final is worth a different percentage?
Use the free final exam calculator on the home page, which works with any weight. These tables cover the five most common weights: 10%, 20%, 25%, 33%, and 50%.
Why do I need a higher final score when my current grade is lower?
The final has to make up for the points you are missing. The formula is (target − current × remaining weight) ÷ final weight. The bigger the gap between your current and target grade, the harder the final has to work — and the smaller the final's weight, the less leverage each point gives you.
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