Midterm Grade Calculator
Estimate how your midterm exam could change your course grade, or calculate the score you need on the midterm to reach a target grade.
Calculate your midterm grade
Choose whether you want to predict your course grade after the midterm or find the midterm score needed to reach a target.
How to use the Midterm Grade Calculator
- Enter your current course grade. Use the percentage you have before the midterm is counted.
- Enter the midterm weight. If the midterm is worth 25% of the course, enter 25.
- Choose a calculation. Predict your course grade by entering an expected midterm score, or switch to Score I need and enter your target course grade.
- Calculate. Review the projected grade or required midterm score.
This calculator assumes your current grade describes the rest of the course outside the midterm. Always compare the result with your syllabus, especially if your teacher uses category weights, dropped scores, curves or other rules.
Midterm grade formula
When you know your current grade, expected midterm score and the midterm weight, the projected course grade is:
Projected grade = Current grade × (1 − Midterm weight) + Midterm score × Midterm weight
Use the weight as a decimal in the formula. For example, 25% becomes 0.25.
Example: predicting your grade after the midterm
Suppose your current grade is 84%, the midterm is worth 25%, and you expect to score 90%.
84 × 0.75 + 90 × 0.25 = 85.5%
Your projected course grade after the midterm would be 85.5%, assuming the current grade represents the remaining 75% of the course.
Example: finding the score you need
If your current grade is 84%, the midterm is worth 25%, and you want an 88% overall grade after the midterm:
Required midterm score = (88 − 84 × 0.75) ÷ 0.25 = 100%
You would need 100% on the midterm to reach an 88% course grade under those assumptions.
Midterm grade vs final grade
A midterm is usually one weighted part of a course. This calculator estimates the effect of that one exam on your overall percentage. It does not predict future homework, projects or a final exam that have not yet been completed.
If you need to work backwards from a target course grade and a final exam weight, use the Final Grade Calculator. If several categories have different weights, use the Weighted Grade Calculator.
What if my midterm is curved?
Use the score that will actually count in your gradebook. If your instructor applies a curve after grading, your raw exam percentage may not be the same as the percentage used in the course calculation.
If you are testing several possible outcomes, calculate more than once with different midterm scores to see how much the exam can move your overall grade.
Midterm Grade Calculator FAQs
How much can a midterm change my grade?
The effect depends on its weight. A 10% midterm moves the course grade much less than a 30% midterm. The calculator applies the exact weight you enter.
What should I use as my current grade?
Use your course percentage before the midterm is counted. It should represent the non-midterm portion of the grade under the weighting assumptions used by the calculator.
Can the required midterm score be above 100%?
Yes. A result above 100% means the target is not reachable from the midterm alone unless extra credit or a grading curve allows a score above 100%.
What if the midterm weight is not shown in my syllabus?
Ask your instructor or check the grading policy before relying on the result. The calculation cannot be accurate without the midterm’s share of the course grade.
Should I enter 25 or 0.25 for a 25% midterm?
Enter 25. The calculator converts the percentage weight into decimal form automatically.
Does this calculator include my final exam?
No. It only models the midterm and the current course grade. Use the Final Grade Calculator when you want to calculate a required final-exam score.
Planning for your final exam?
Use your current grade, target grade and final-exam weight to find the score you need on the final.