How to Calculate Your Final Grade When the Syllabus Uses Weighted Categories

Two weeks before finals, every student asks the same question: "What do I need on the final to get an A in the class?" The answer depends on weighted categories, and most students miscalculate because they average their scores without accounting for the weights. A syllabus might say: Homework 20%, Midterm 30%, Final 30%, Participation 10%, Project 10%. Your homework average is 92%, midterm was 78%, participation is 95%, and the project was 88%. What do you need on the final? Weighted grade calculation The formula is: Final Grade = (Score1 * Weight1) + (Score2 * Weight2) + ... + (ScoreN * WeightN) With the numbers above, excluding the final: Known portion = (92 * 0.20) + (78 * 0.30) + (95 * 0.10) + (88 * 0.10) = 18.4 + 23.4 + 9.5 + 8.8 = 60.1 out of 70 possible points so far To get a 90% (A-) overall: 90 = 60.1 + (Final * 0.30) Final * 0.30 = 29.9 Final = 99.7% That is essentially a perfect score on the final. To get an 80% (B-): 80 = 60.1 + (Final * 0.30) Final * 0.30 = 19.9 Final = 66