Your terms
Scale: 4.0 · plus/minus onChange
Match your school’s grading scale. These settings apply to every GradeHelm calculator.
Semester grade
Enter your term grades and weights to see your semester grade.
Show the math
What do I need on the exam?
Uses your term grades and exam weight
Calculate a result first, then set a target.
How to use the semester grade calculator
- Enter each quarter or term grade as a percentage, with its weight in the semester. A common setup is Q1 40%, Q2 40%, Final exam 20%.
- If you’ve taken the final exam, enter its score and weight. If you haven’t, leave the score blank and use “What do I need on the exam?” instead.
- Your semester grade and letter appear instantly. Open “Show the math” to see each part’s contribution.
The semester grade formula
Short answer: a semester grade is a weighted average. Multiply each quarter (or term) grade and the semester exam grade by its weight, then add the results. With Q1 and Q2 at 40% each and a 20% exam, grades of 88%, 92% and 80% give a semester grade of 88.0%.
Semester grade = Σ (term grade × term weight) + exam grade × exam weight
The weights should add up to 100%. If they don’t, the calculator divides by the total weight you entered and shows a note.
Worked example
| Part | Grade | Weight | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 88% | 40% | 35.2 |
| Quarter 2 | 92% | 40% | 36.8 |
| Final exam | 80% | 20% | 16.0 |
| Semester | 100% | 88.0 |
The semester grade is 88.0%, a B+ on the default scale.
What do I need on the exam?
Before the exam, the calculator works backwards. With Q1 88% and Q2 92% (each 40%) and a 20% exam, the two quarters contribute 72.0 points. For a 90% semester grade you need (90 − 72.0) ÷ 0.20 = 90.0% on the exam.
How much does the final exam affect my semester grade?
Every point you score on the exam moves your semester grade by the exam’s weight. With a 20% exam, each 10 exam points changes the semester grade by 2 points. Using the example above (Q1 88%, Q2 92%, exam 20%):
| Exam | Semester | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | 92.0% | A− |
| 90% | 90.0% | A− |
| 80% | 88.0% | B+ |
| 70% | 86.0% | B |
| 60% | 84.0% | B |
| 50% | 82.0% | B− |
| 0% | 72.0% | C− |
Common semester weightings
| School setup | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two quarters + exam | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| Exam-heavy | 37.5% | 37.5% | 25% |
| Exam 10% | 45% | 45% | 10% |
| No exam | 50% | 50% | — |
Frequently asked questions
How is a semester grade calculated?
It’s a weighted average of the grading periods in the semester and any semester exam. Multiply each grade by its weight, add the results, and divide by the total weight (100% if everything is included).
Is a semester grade the same as a semester GPA?
No. A semester grade is your percentage in one class. A semester GPA combines your grades across all classes into a single number on a 4.0 scale. Use the GPA calculator for that, or the high school GPA calculator if your school weights Honors and AP classes.
What happens if my weights don’t add up to 100%?
The calculator divides by the total weight you entered and shows a note. That gives your current average from the parts you entered, which is useful before every grade is in. For a final result, make sure the weights match your syllabus and total 100%.
Can a final exam lower my semester grade?
Yes. If your exam score is below your average for the quarters, the semester grade goes down; if it’s above, the grade goes up. The table above shows how much for a 20% exam.
Where do I find my school’s semester weights?
Check the class syllabus, your school’s grading policy or the student handbook, or ask your teacher. Many US high schools use 40/40/20 or 45/45/10, but there’s no single standard.
What if my school has three trimesters?
Add a third term row and enter each trimester’s weight. The calculator accepts as many terms as you need.