How is a weighted grade calculated?
Multiply each score by its weight, add the products, then divide by the total weight. If homework is 20% and you scored 90, an exam is 50% at 80, and a project 30% at 85, the result is (90×20 + 80×50 + 85×30) ÷ 100 = 83.5. The weights must sum to 100% for the result to be meaningful — if your listed categories total 85%, something is missing.
What if some assignments haven't been graded yet?
Calculate your grade on the completed work only, by dividing by the weight of what has actually been marked rather than the full 100. That gives your current standing rather than a figure depressed by ungraded items counting as zero. To find what you need on what remains, use the Final Grade calculator, which solves the problem in reverse.
Why does my calculated grade differ from the one in the gradebook?
Usually one of four reasons. Points-based versus weighted grading — some systems total raw points instead of applying category weights, which gives different answers. Dropped scores, where the lowest quiz is discarded. Extra credit that sits outside the weighting. And rounding rules: some institutions round 89.5 to an A-minus and others do not round at all. Check the syllabus for which system applies.
What is the difference between points-based and weighted grading?
Points-based simply adds all points earned and divides by all points available, so a 200-point final naturally counts more than a 20-point quiz. Weighted grading assigns each category a fixed percentage regardless of how many points it contains. The same set of scores can produce noticeably different grades under the two systems, which is why knowing your course's method matters before predicting an outcome.
How do percentage scores map to letter grades?
A common US scale is 90–100 A, 80–89 B, 70–79 C, 60–69 D, below 60 F, often with plus and minus bands. But scales vary widely: some courses use 93+ for an A, UK degree classifications work on 70/60/50 boundaries, and many European systems use entirely different numeric scales. Never assume the default — the syllabus is authoritative.
Does a weighted grade tell me my GPA?
No. A weighted grade is your standing within one course. GPA converts each course's final letter grade to grade points, then averages those across courses weighted by credit hours. A 4-credit course affects GPA twice as much as a 2-credit one, regardless of the internal weighting either used. Use the GPA calculator for that step.