How a weighted grade works
weighted grade = Σ (score × weight) ÷ Σ weight
Each category counts in proportion to its weight. With homework at 90% worth 20%, quizzes at 80% worth 30% and a midterm at 85% worth 50%: (90 × 20 + 80 × 30 + 85 × 50) ÷ 100 = 84.5%. If the weights so far add up to less than 100, because the final exam is still to come, dividing by the weights used gives your current standing, which is what this calculator shows.
The score you need on the final
needed = (target − current × (1 − final weight)) ÷ final weight
With a current grade of 84%, a target of 90% and a final worth 25%: (90 − 84 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 108%. That target is out of reach without extra credit, while 87% would need 96% on the final. The calculator shows the score needed for every letter grade at once.
Grade scale
The most common US scale, used by many high schools and colleges. Schools set their own cut-offs, and some give A+ a value of 4.3, so check your syllabus.
| Letter | Percent | GPA points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93-96 | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86 | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
| D | 63-66 | 1.0 |
| D- | 60-62 | 0.7 |
| F | below 60 | 0.0 |
How GPA is calculated
GPA is the credit-weighted average of grade points: multiply each course's points by its credits, add them up and divide by the total credits. A 4-credit B (3.0) and a 3-credit A (4.0) give (12 + 12) ÷ 7 = 3.43. A weighted GPA adds 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB courses, so it can go above 4.0; colleges often recalculate GPA their own way. To add a new term to your cumulative GPA, enter your GPA and credits so far.
Outside the US, the UK marks university degrees by classification: a first from 70%, an upper second (2:1) from 60%, a lower second (2:2) from 50% and a third from 40%.
Grades and paying for college
Grades affect the cost of college as well as admission. Many merit scholarships and state programs require a minimum GPA, often 3.0 or higher, and keeping federal student aid requires "satisfactory academic progress", usually at least a C average. If you are planning how to pay for a degree, the savings calculator and loan calculator help you compare saving now with borrowing later.