You know where you are. You know where you want to land. The only question left is what you need on the work that's still ahead. Tell us those three numbers and we'll show you exactly what to aim for.
How is this calculated?
Your overall grade is a weighted average of what's already in the gradebook plus what's still pending. We work backward: if X percent is locked in at your current grade and Y percent is still ahead, we solve for the score on the pending work that lands you exactly at your target.
The formula
Required average = (Target − Current × (1 − Remaining weight)) ÷ Remaining weight
A worked example
Suppose you're at 84% and the last 30% of the grade (a final exam and one project) is still ahead. You want to finish with an 87%. Required = (87 − 84 × 0.70) ÷ 0.30 = (87 − 58.8) ÷ 0.30 = 94. You'd need to average 94 across the remaining work.
When to use this calculator
Use What Grade Do I Need when there's exactly one chunk of work left and you want to know what you have to score on it. If only the final exam is left, the Final Grade Calculator asks the same question in different words. If multiple categories with different weights remain, use the Weighted Grade Calculator to compute scenarios.
Common questions
How is this different from the Final Grade Calculator?
Same math, friendlier framing. Final Grade Calculator asks 'what do I need on the final exam?' This one asks 'what do I need across everything that's still pending?' Use whichever wording matches how your teacher set up the gradebook.
What if I have multiple assignments left, not just one?
Total their weights and enter that as the 'weight of the work still ahead.' The result is the average you need across all remaining work. If you want to scenario each piece separately, use the Weighted Grade Calculator instead.
Can extra credit save me from an impossible result?
Sometimes. If your teacher offers extra credit applied to a specific category (often the final exam), you can effectively score above 100% on that piece. Bump up your 'current grade' by the extra credit percentage and re-run the calculation.
What does it mean if the required score is negative?
You're already above your target. Even getting 0% on everything that's still ahead, your overall grade won't drop below the target. You can coast — but you still have to submit the work for credit.
What does it mean if the required score is above 100?
Mathematically, you'd need a score better than perfect to hit your target. Either pick a more realistic goal, ask about extra credit, or look at how the curve might affect things if your class uses one.
