Test Grade Calculator

Calculate your test score percentage and letter grade instantly. Enter total questions and correct answers to see your grade, GPA equivalent, and how many more you need for a higher grade.

Calculate Your Test Grade

Percentage Score
0.0%
Letter Grade
GPA Equivalent
Score: 16 correct out of 20 questions (4 wrong)

Need a Higher Grade?

You already have a A or higher!
Great job on your test!

Quick Answer: Test Grade Formula

Percentage Formula
Score = (Correct / Total) x 100
Example Calculation
18/20 x 100 = 90% = A-
Standard Letter Grade Ranges
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: Below 60%
Published By ChallengeAnswer Editorial Team
Reviewed by
Dr. Snezana Lawrence
Dr. Snezana LawrencePhD in Mathematical History
Dr. Snezana Lawrence

Dr. Snezana Lawrence

Mathematical Historian

15+ years experience

PhD from Yale University. Published mathematical historian ensuring precision in all calculations.

Education

PhD in Mathematical History - Yale University

Mathematical HistoryTime CalculationsMathematical Conversions
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Complete Grade Scale Reference

Letter GradePercentage RangeGPAOn 20 QuestionsOn 100 Questions
A+97% - 100%4.020 - 20 correct97 - 100 correct
A93% - 97%4.019 - 19 correct93 - 96 correct
A-90% - 93%3.718 - 18 correct90 - 92 correct
B+87% - 90%3.318 - 17 correct87 - 89 correct
B83% - 87%3.017 - 17 correct83 - 86 correct
B-80% - 83%2.716 - 16 correct80 - 82 correct
C+77% - 80%2.316 - 15 correct77 - 79 correct
C73% - 77%2.015 - 15 correct73 - 76 correct
C-70% - 73%1.714 - 14 correct70 - 72 correct
D+67% - 70%1.314 - 13 correct67 - 69 correct
D63% - 67%1.013 - 13 correct63 - 66 correct
D-60% - 63%0.712 - 12 correct60 - 62 correct
F0% - 60%0.00 - 11 correct0 - 59 correct

How to Calculate Your Test Grade

Calculating your test grade is straightforward once you understand the basic formula. Whether you are checking your quiz score or calculating your final exam grade, the process is the same.

Step 1: Gather Your Information

You need two pieces of information to calculate your grade:

  • Total Questions: The total number of questions on your test
  • Correct Answers: How many questions you answered correctly (or wrong answers to subtract)

Step 2: Apply the Formula

Use this simple formula to calculate your percentage score:

Percentage = (Correct Answers / Total Questions) x 100

Example: 45 correct out of 50 questions = (45/50) x 100 = 90%

Step 3: Convert to Letter Grade

Once you have your percentage, use the standard grading scale to find your letter grade:

A
90-100%
B
80-89%
C
70-79%
D
60-69%
F
Below 60%

Pro Tip: If you know how many questions you got wrong instead of correct, simply subtract that from the total to get your correct answers. For example, if you missed 5 questions on a 25-question test, you got 20 correct.

Tips for Improving Your Grades

Understanding your current grade is the first step toward improvement. Here are proven strategies to boost your test scores and achieve your target grades.

Before the Test

  • Start studying early: Spread your study sessions over multiple days for better retention
  • Use active recall: Test yourself regularly instead of just re-reading notes
  • Practice with old exams: Familiarize yourself with the question format and difficulty
  • Get enough sleep: A well-rested brain performs significantly better on tests
  • Create study groups: Explaining concepts to others reinforces your understanding

During the Test

  • Read all questions carefully: Many mistakes come from misreading the question
  • Answer easy questions first: Build confidence and secure points before tackling hard ones
  • Manage your time: Allocate time based on point values and difficulty
  • Review your answers: Use remaining time to check for careless errors
  • Trust your first instinct: Changing answers often leads to worse outcomes

After the Test

  • Review wrong answers: Understand why you made mistakes to avoid repeating them
  • Meet with your teacher: Get clarification on concepts you struggled with
  • Adjust study strategies: Use feedback to improve your preparation for future tests
  • Track your progress: Monitor your grades over time to see improvement patterns

Remember: Improving grades takes time and consistent effort. Use our calculator to set realistic target grades and track how many more correct answers you need to achieve your goals.

How We Calculate Test Grades

Our test grade calculator uses the standard academic grading formulas and scales used by most educational institutions in the United States.

Calculation Methodology

1. Percentage Calculation

We calculate your percentage score using the standard formula:

Percentage = (Correct Answers / Total Questions) x 100

Results are rounded to one decimal place for precision.

2. Letter Grade Assignment

We use the standard plus/minus grading scale:

A+: 97-100% | A: 93-96% | A-: 90-92%

B+: 87-89% | B: 83-86% | B-: 80-82%

C+: 77-79% | C: 73-76% | C-: 70-72%

D+: 67-69% | D: 63-66% | D-: 60-62%

F: Below 60%

3. GPA Conversion

Each letter grade corresponds to a GPA value on the 4.0 scale:

A/A+ = 4.0 | A- = 3.7 | B+ = 3.3 | B = 3.0 | B- = 2.7C+ = 2.3 | C = 2.0 | C- = 1.7 | D+ = 1.3 | D = 1.0 | D- = 0.7 | F = 0.0

4. Target Grade Analysis

We calculate how many additional correct answers are needed for your target grade:

Required Correct = ceil(Target Minimum % x Total Questions / 100)Additional Needed = Required Correct - Current Correct

Note: Grading scales may vary by institution. Some schools use different percentage cutoffs or do not use plus/minus grades. Always check your school's specific grading policy for official grade calculations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate my test grade percentage?

To calculate your test grade percentage, divide the number of correct answers by the total number of questions, then multiply by 100. For example, if you got 18 out of 20 questions correct, your percentage is (18/20) x 100 = 90%.

What letter grade is a 75%?

A 75% typically corresponds to a C grade on the standard grading scale. The exact letter grade can vary by institution, but generally 73-76% is a C, while 77-79% is a C+.

How many questions can I miss and still get an A?

To get an A (93% or higher), you need to answer at least 93% of questions correctly. On a 20-question test, you can miss 1 question and still get an A (19/20 = 95%). On a 100-question test, you can miss up to 7 questions.

What is the difference between weighted and unweighted grades?

Unweighted grades treat all classes equally, with A=4.0 regardless of difficulty. Weighted grades give extra points for honors, AP, or IB classes, so an A in an AP class might count as 5.0 instead of 4.0. This calculator uses unweighted grades.

How do I calculate my grade if some questions are worth more points?

For tests with variable point values, add up all earned points and divide by total possible points. For example, if you earned 85 points out of 100 possible, your grade is 85%. Use our calculator by entering total possible points as total questions and earned points as correct answers.

What is a passing grade?

A passing grade is typically 60% or higher (D- or above). However, many schools and programs require at least a C (73%) or C- (70%) for course credit. Graduate programs often require a B (83%) minimum. Check your specific institution's requirements.

How do I calculate my GPA from letter grades?

To calculate GPA, convert each letter grade to points (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0), multiply by credit hours, add all totals, and divide by total credit hours. For example: A(4.0)x3hrs + B(3.0)x3hrs = 21 points / 6 hours = 3.5 GPA.

What percentage do I need to raise my grade?

Use our calculator's "Target Grade" feature to see how many more correct answers you need. Enter your current score and select your target grade to see the exact number of additional correct answers required.

How are curved grades calculated?

Curved grades adjust scores based on class performance. Common methods include: adding points to all scores, adjusting so the highest score becomes 100%, or using a bell curve where most students get Cs. Our calculator shows raw, uncurved grades.

What is the grading scale for plus and minus grades?

The standard plus/minus grading scale is: A+ (97-100%), A (93-96%), A- (90-92%), B+ (87-89%), B (83-86%), B- (80-82%), C+ (77-79%), C (73-76%), C- (70-72%), D+ (67-69%), D (63-66%), D- (60-62%), F (below 60%).

How do I calculate my overall course grade?

To calculate your overall course grade, multiply each assignment grade by its weight (percentage of final grade), then add all weighted scores. For example: Homework (20%) at 95% + Midterm (30%) at 85% + Final (50%) at 90% = (0.20x95) + (0.30x85) + (0.50x90) = 89.5%.

What happens if I retake a test?

Retake policies vary by institution. Some replace the old grade with the new one, some average both grades, and others keep the higher score. Most schools limit retake attempts. Check your school's specific policy before retaking.

Dr. Snezana Lawrence
Expert Reviewer

Dr. Snezana Lawrence

Mathematical Historian | PhD from Yale

Dr. Lawrence is a published mathematical historian with a PhD from Yale University. She ensures mathematical precision and accuracy in all our calculations, conversions, and academic score calculators. Her expertise spans computational mathematics and educational assessment.

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