How to work out the grade you need
To find the score you need on your final exam, work backward from the grade you want overall. Your current grade covers everything except the final, and the final is worth a set share of the total. Rearranging the weighted-average formula tells you exactly what the final has to score.
The formula
Needed final = (goal - current × (1 - weight)) / weight, where weight is the final's share written as a decimal. Enter your current grade, your target grade, and how much the final is worth.
Two examples
You have 80% now, want 75% overall, and the final is worth 40%. You would need 67.5% on the final, which is very doable.
Same 80% now, but you are chasing 90% overall with a 40% final. That needs 105%, which is impossible, a clear sign the goal is out of reach without extra credit.
Reading the result
If the number comes back above 100, the target cannot be reached from the final alone. If it comes back very low or negative, you have already locked in your goal no matter how the final goes. Either way, you know exactly where you stand before you walk in.
Frequently asked questions
What if I need more than 100%?
It means the goal is not reachable from the final exam alone. You would need extra credit, a curve, or to adjust the target.
Can I use it for any weighted assessment?
Yes. Treat any single upcoming assessment as the final and enter its weight to see the score you need on it.
What is 'current grade'?
Your grade so far from all work except the final, as a percentage.
The result is over 100%. What now?
It means the target cannot be reached with the final alone. Aim for the next grade down, or ask about extra credit.
Does it handle multiple finals?
Enter their combined weight as the final's weight, and treat them as one for a rough estimate.