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What grade do I need on the final?

Calculate the grade you need on the final exam to reach your target average, from your current average and the exam’s weight.

Parameters

Your average before the exam, on the chosen scale.
%Example: coursework 60% + final 40% → enter 40.
20 for a grade out of 20, 100 for a grade out of 100.

Result

Grade you need on the exam

83 / 100

Calculation
x = (80 − 78 × (1 − 40%)) ÷ 40% = 83

Achievable: you need at least 83 / 100 on the exam.

050100050100exam weight (%)grade needed83
Final grade if you score 0
46.8 / 100
Final grade with a perfect score
86.8 / 100

Calculation, assumptions and sources

OverviewThe current average, the weight of the exam in the final grade and the target give the grade to obtain, and tell whether the target is achievable, already secured even with a zero, or out of reach.

The current average, the weight of the exam in the final grade and the target give the grade to obtain, and tell whether the target is achievable, already secured even with a zero, or out of reach. Any grading scale works: out of 20, out of 100 or other.

Method & formulasfinal grade = current average × (1 − p) + exam grade × p
final grade = current average × (1 − p) + exam grade × pgrade needed x = (target − current average × (1 − p)) / p

p is the weight of the exam as a fraction (40% → 0.4). The first line is the weighted average of the current average (weight 1 − p) and the exam grade (weight p); the second solves it for the exam grade. At p = 100%, the grade to aim for is the target.

Exam weight (p)
the share of the exam in the final grade, set by the programme’s regulations. A mid-term with coefficient 2 out of a total of 5 weighs 2/5 = 40%.
Already secured
the calculated grade needed is negative.
Out of reach
the required grade exceeds the top of the scale. The best final grade still possible is then given.
Validity domainThe calculation assumes a linear weighted final grade, the general case in exam regulations.

The calculation assumes a linear weighted final grade, the general case in exam regulations. Eliminatory grades, compensation thresholds between subjects, jury rounding and bonus points above the scale are not modelled.

Weight of the exam in the averageThe heavier the exam, the less the current average counts.

The heavier the exam, the less the current average counts. With a 78/100 average and a final worth 60%, aiming for 70 still requires 64.7; the 78 counts for only 40% of the outcome.