A test score calculator turns the points you earned into a percentage and a letter grade. Enter the points you earned and the total points possible. It shows your score as a percent, the fraction in lowest terms, how many points you missed and a letter grade. If you add a target grade, it also tells you how many points you need and whether you are already there.
Use it to answer questions such as what grade 42 out of 60 is, what percent a quiz score is, or how many questions you can miss and still reach an 80. If you are combining several scores with different weights, use the weighted grade calculator, and for a term average use the GPA calculator.
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How the test score calculator works
Test score formula
The score is the share of the available points that you earned, written as a percent.
Percent = Points earned ÷ Total points × 100
Where:
- Points earned = the points you scored on the test or quiz
- Total points = the maximum points that were possible
Fraction and points missed
The fraction is the same ratio reduced to lowest terms, so 42 out of 60 becomes 7/10. Points missed is simply the total minus the points earned.
Points needed for a target grade
To work backwards from a target grade, find the share of the total that the target represents.
Points needed = Target % ÷ 100 × Total points (rounded up)
Points you can miss = Total points − Points needed
The result is rounded up to the next whole point, which gives the smallest whole number of points that reaches the target. If your teacher awards partial credit, the real requirement can be a little lower.
Worked examples
Example 1: 42 out of 60
A student earns 42 points on a 60-point test.
Percent = 42 ÷ 60 × 100 = 70%
The score is 70%, which is 7/10 as a fraction and a C− on the +/− scale below.
Example 2: Points needed for an 80
The same student wants an 80% on that 60-point test.
Points needed = 80 ÷ 100 × 60 = 48
Points you can miss = 60 − 48 = 12
With 42 points, the student is 6 points short of 48. To reach an 80 on this test, no more than 12 of the 60 points can be missed.
Example 3: A total that does not divide evenly
A quiz has 21 points and a student earns 18.
Percent = 18 ÷ 21 × 100 = 85.71% (rounded to two decimals)
The fraction reduces to 6/7, and the score is a B on the +/− scale.
Example 4: Extra credit above 100%
Points earned can be higher than the total. A student who earns 63 points on a 60-point test with extra credit scores 63 ÷ 60 × 100 = 105%.
Quick reference for a 20-point quiz
| Points earned | Percent |
|---|---|
| 20 | 100% |
| 19 | 95% |
| 18 | 90% |
| 17 | 85% |
| 16 | 80% |
| 15 | 75% |
| 14 | 70% |
| 13 | 65% |
| 12 | 60% |
| 11 | 55% |
| 10 | 50% |
Letter grades
The +/− scale used here
| Percent | Letter grade |
|---|---|
| 97 to 100 | A+ |
| 93 to 96.99 | A |
| 90 to 92.99 | A− |
| 87 to 89.99 | B+ |
| 83 to 86.99 | B |
| 80 to 82.99 | B− |
| 77 to 79.99 | C+ |
| 73 to 76.99 | C |
| 70 to 72.99 | C− |
| 67 to 69.99 | D+ |
| 63 to 66.99 | D |
| 60 to 62.99 | D− |
| Below 60 | F |
This is one common scale. Schools and teachers set their own cut-offs, so the same percent can be a different letter in your class. Check your syllabus for the scale that applies to you.
Frequently asked questions
What grade is 42 out of 60?
42 ÷ 60 × 100 = 70%, which is a C− on the +/− scale above. On a simple A to F scale with 70 as the C cut-off it would be a C.
How many questions can I miss and still get an 80?
Divide the target by 100 and multiply by the total, then subtract from the total. On a 25-question test, 80 ÷ 100 × 25 = 20 correct answers are needed, so you can miss 5.
How do I calculate a test score percentage?
Divide the points you earned by the total points possible and multiply by 100. For 43 out of 50, that is 43 ÷ 50 × 100 = 86%.
Does the calculator work with extra credit?
Yes. If you earn more points than the total, the score is above 100%. For example, 63 out of 60 is 105%.
Is the letter grade official?
No. It uses a common +/− scale as a guide. Your school or teacher decides the official cut-offs.