Statistics: Score Needed On The Final For A Target Grade

All versions

A course grade is a weighted average, so you can solve for the final. Subtract the current grade's share from the target and divide by the final's weight.

Quick formula: Target minus current share, over final weight:

=ROUND((D2-B2*(1-C2))/C2,1)

At 88 with a 25% final and a 90 target, you need 96.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

ROUND IF

The example

Three students. Student A needs over 100.

	A	B	C	D	E	F
1	Case	Current	Final wt	Target	Needed	Status
2	Student A	84.5	30.0%	90.0	102.8	Not possible
3	Student B	88.0	25.0%	90.0	96.0	Possible
4	Student C	72.0	40.0%	80.0	92.0	Possible

The formula

Rearranging target = current*(1-w) + final*w:

=ROUND((D2-B2*(1-C2))/C2,1) // score needed; status = IF(Needed<=100,"Possible","Not possible")

How it works

Here is the logic, one piece at a time:

1-C2 is the share already earned.
B2*(1-C2) is the points banked.
D2-... is what's left to earn.
Dividing by C2 gives the final score needed.

Use the percent of the course the final represents.

Try it: interactive demo

Interactive

Enter current grade, final weight and target.

Current grade

Final weight (%)

Target grade

Variations

Whole number

Round up.

=ROUNDUP((D2-B2*(1-C2))/C2,0)

Minimum grade

What if you score 70?

=B2*(1-C2)+70*C2

Pitfalls & errors

Extra credit can lift the cap above 100.

Weight must be a decimal, not 25.

Check the syllabus.

Practice workbook

📊

Download the free Statistics: Score Needed On The Final For A Target Grade practice workbook

Edit the yellow grade, weight and target cells; needed score and status recalculate.

Frequently asked questions

Why 100?

A maximum score is usually 100.

Multiple exams?

Use SUMPRODUCT.

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Function references: ROUND IF