1. Points-based grades
Grade = points earned ÷ points possible × 100
| Assignment | Earned | Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Quiz 1 | 18 | 20 |
| Homework set | 45 | 50 |
| Unit test | 70 | 80 |
| Total | 133 | 150 |
133 ÷ 150 × 100 = 88.7%, a B+. In a points class, bigger assignments matter more simply because they have more points.
2. Weighted grades
Grade = Σ (category % × weight) ÷ Σ weights
Your syllabus lists the weights. Average each category first, then weight them:
| Category | Your average | Weight | Counts for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 95% | 20% | 19.0 |
| Quizzes | 85% | 20% | 17.0 |
| Tests | 80% | 40% | 32.0 |
| Project | 90% | 20% | 18.0 |
| Grade | 86.0% | ||
The 80% test average pulls the grade down the most because tests carry 40% of it. Raising the test average by 5 points would add 2 points to the grade; raising homework by 5 would add only 1.
3. Test grades
Test score = (questions − wrong) ÷ questions × 100
3 wrong on a 25-question test: 22 ÷ 25 × 100 = 88%. Teachers can skip the arithmetic with the Easy Grader or print a grading chart for any test length.
4. Your grade so far
If the final or another category hasn’t been graded, divide by the weights you do have. With homework (20%) at 95% and quizzes (20%) at 85%: (95 × 20 + 85 × 20) ÷ 40 = 90% so far, with 60% of the grade still to come. The final grade calculator shows what you need on the rest.
From percent to letter grade
On the standard scale 90%+ is an A, 80–89% a B, 70–79% a C, 60–69% a D and below 60% an F. See the full grading scale with plus/minus grades and GPA points, or let the grade calculator do all of this for you.