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Weighted Average Explained: Grades, Finals and Targets

Published October 3, 2026Written and reviewed by Mateuss M.

Weighted Average Explained: Grades, Finals and Targets — illustration
In short: A weighted average counts some scores more than others. With scores 88/30, 92/20 and 79/20 your current grade is 86.57%.

Simple vs weighted

A simple average of 88, 92 and 79 is 86.3333333333. But if the 88 is a 30% exam and the others are 20% each, the weighting changes the answer. Weighted average = Σ(score × weight) ÷ Σ(weight).

Worked example

Current grade and score needed for 90%
AnswerCurrent grade 86.57%
  • Weight still to come: 30%
  • Needed on the rest: 98.00%
Step-by-step working 3 steps
  1. 1
    Weighted points earned so far
    88 × 30% = 26.4 points
92 × 20% = 18.4 points
79 × 20% = 15.8 points
Total = 60.6 of 70 possible

    Each score is multiplied by its weight (as a percent of the final grade).

  2. 2
    Current grade on the work done
    60.6 ÷ 70 × 100 = 86.571%
  3. 3
    Score needed on the remaining 30% to finish on 90%
    (90 − 60.6) ÷ 30% = 98

    Average this score across the remaining work.

Finding what you need on the final

Subtract the points you have from your target, then divide by the weight still to come. If the answer is above 100, the target needs extra credit.

Convert letter grades with the GPA chart and plan semesters with the GPA calculator.

Frequently asked questions

What if weights do not add to 100%?

Divide by the total weight completed so far; the calculator does this and shows the weight still to come.

Does a missed assignment count as zero?

That depends on your syllabus; enter 0 with its weight to see the effect.

Written and reviewed by Mateuss M.

Mateuss M. writes and reviews mathematical content for CalcSolver, focusing on online calculators, formulas, equations, and practical math tools. He reviews calculator functionality, calculation methods, formulas, examples, and explanations to help ensure that each tool is clear, useful, and easy to understand.

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