Grading Scale Calculator
Enter the number of questions to see every score and its grade.
Minimum percentage needed for each grade.
Grade table
| Right | Percentage | Grade | Wrong |
|---|
Grading Scale Calculator FAQs
This grading scale calculator turns the number of questions on a test into a full table of scores, percentages and letter grades. These answers cover how the grades are worked out and how to get the most from the tool.
How do I calculate a test grade percentage?
Divide the number of correct answers by the total number of questions, then multiply by 100. For example, 42 right out of 50 is 42 ÷ 50 × 100 = 84%, which is a B on the default scale.
What is 90% on a 20-question test?
You need 18 correct answers out of 20 to score 90%. On the default scale, 90% is an A-.
How many questions can I miss and still get an A?
It depends on the test length. On the default scale an A starts at 95%, so you can miss 1 question on a 20-question test (19/20 = 95%) or 2 questions on a 50-question test (48/50 = 96%).
What grading scale does this calculator use?
The default scale is: A 95% and up, A- 90%, B+ 87%, B 83%, B- 80%, C+ 77%, C 73%, C- 70%, D+ 67%, D 63%, D- 60%, and F below 60%. Each percentage is the minimum needed for that grade. Schools and teachers use different cutoffs, so check your own syllabus if you need an exact match.
Can I change the grading scale?
Yes. Click Edit grade scale above the table and enter your own minimum percentage for each grade. The table updates immediately.
How many questions can I enter?
You can enter any number of questions from 1 to 500, which covers quizzes, unit tests and long exams.
Can I print the grade table?
Yes. Click Print table to print the table or save it as a PDF from your browser's print dialog. It is handy to hand out with a test or keep next to your gradebook.
How to Read the Grade Table
Type in how many questions are on your test and the calculator lists every possible score, from a perfect paper down to zero. Each row shows the number of right answers, the percentage, the letter grade, and how many questions were missed. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number, so on very long tests (over 100 questions) two neighboring scores can show the same percentage.
The Formula Behind It
There’s only one calculation here. Divide the number of correct answers by the total number of questions, then multiply by 100. If you got 42 right out of 50, that’s 42 ÷ 50 × 100 = 84%. The calculator then finds the highest grade whose minimum you’ve reached. On the default scale the B cutoff is 83%, so 84% is a B.
Minimum Correct Answers on Common Test Lengths
This table uses the default scale (A at 95%, B at 83%, C at 73%, D at 63%) and the same rounding as the calculator above.
| Questions | Each question is worth | Minimum for A | Minimum for B | Minimum for C | Minimum for D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10% | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 |
| 20 | 5% | 19 | 17 | 15 | 13 |
| 25 | 4% | 24 | 21 | 19 | 16 |
| 50 | 2% | 48 | 42 | 37 | 32 |
| 100 | 1% | 95 | 83 | 73 | 63 |
Short tests are harsh. On a 10-question quiz, a single wrong answer takes you from an A down to an A-, because every question is worth 10 points. On a 100-question exam you can miss five and still hold an A.
Matching Your Own School’s Scale
The default scale uses plus and minus grades, but plenty of schools and teachers use simpler cutoffs, like 90, 80, 70 and 60 for A through D. Some have a scale all their own. If your syllabus lists different numbers, click Edit grade scale above the table and type them in. The table updates right away, and you can print it once it matches.
Who This Is Useful For
Teachers can build the table before handing back a graded test and print it, so students see exactly how many points each grade needs. Students can work backward instead: pick the grade you want, then check how many questions you can afford to miss. It’s a quick way to set a realistic target before an exam.
Test Grades and Scholarship Applications
One test score won’t decide a scholarship. Committees look at your overall results, usually as a GPA, a class rank, or a degree classification, in whatever format the program asks for. If you need to turn course grades into a GPA, use our GPA calculator. To see how your profile fits a program before you spend time on an application, try the Scholarship Chance Calculator. Always check the official scholarship page for its exact grade requirement, because conversion rules differ from one program to the next.