Grades
Grade needed on the final
Subtract the coursework contribution from the target, then divide by the final's weight. From 82 with a 30 per cent final, (0.90 - 0.574) / 0.30 = 1.0866666666666667, which exceeds 1 and so is unattainable.
The Formula
Needed on final = (Target - Current x (1 - Final weight)) / Final weight
Subtract the coursework contribution from the target, then divide by the final's weight. From 82 with a 30 per cent final, (0.90 - 0.574) / 0.30 = 1.0866666666666667, which exceeds 1 and so is unattainable.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Current standing as a fraction of the course so far | percent | 82 per cent enters the arithmetic as 0.82. |
| wf | Weight of the final exam | percent | 30 per cent is 0.30; the coursework weight is 1 - 0.30 = 0.70. |
| T | Desired overall course grade | percent | Any result above 1 means the target cannot be reached. |
What Each Symbol Means
Cpercent
Current standing as a fraction of the course so far
82 per cent enters the arithmetic as 0.82.
wfpercent
Weight of the final exam
30 per cent is 0.30; the coursework weight is 1 - 0.30 = 0.70.
Tpercent
Desired overall course grade
Any result above 1 means the target cannot be reached.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate the grade you need on the final page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate The Grade You Need On The Final, filed under Education. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.