Test Grade Calculator

About This Tool

The Test Grade Calculator is a fast, free tool that converts raw test scores into percentages, letter grades, and GPA equivalents. Whether you just got a test back and want to know your letter grade, or you are a teacher grading a stack of exams, this calculator saves time and eliminates math errors.

Grading seems straightforward until you realize there is no single universal scale. A score of 91% might be an A at one school and an A- at another. This tool supports three of the most common grading systems used in American education: the standard 10-point scale, the plus/minus scale, and pass/fail.

How the Calculation Works

The core formula is simple: divide the number of points you earned by the total number of possible points, then multiply by 100 to get a percentage. That percentage is compared against the threshold values in your chosen grading scale to determine the letter grade. Each letter grade has a corresponding GPA value on the 4.0 scale.

For example, suppose you earned 85 out of 100 points on a midterm. Your percentage is 85%. On the standard scale, that is a B. On the plus/minus scale, 85% falls between 83% and 87%, so it is also a B, but with a GPA of 3.0 instead of the B+ threshold at 87%.

Understanding Grading Scales

The standard 10-point scale divides grades into five letters (A, B, C, D, F), each covering a 10-percentage-point range. It is the most common scale in US high schools. The plus/minus scale adds granularity by splitting each letter into three tiers. An A ranges from 93-100%, an A- from 90-92%, a B+ from 87-89%, and so on. This system is widely used in colleges and universities because it provides a more precise reflection of student performance.

Pass/fail grading is used for courses where letter grades are not appropriate. A score of 60% or higher earns a Pass, while anything below is a Fail. Pass/fail courses typically do not affect your GPA, which is why the GPA column is hidden when you select this scale.

GPA Equivalents Explained

The Grade Point Average is a standardized way to measure academic performance across courses. An A equals 4.0 points, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, a D equals 1.0, and an F equals 0.0. On the plus/minus scale, modifiers adjust the value by 0.3 in either direction (B+ = 3.3, B- = 2.7). The GPA shown here is for a single test or course. Your cumulative GPA is the weighted average across all your courses, factoring in credit hours.

Tips for Students

Use this calculator throughout the semester to track your performance. If you know your test scores and the grading scale from your syllabus, you can project your course grade before the semester ends. Combine this with a final grade calculator to figure out exactly what you need on the final exam. Keeping a running tally of your scores removes end-of-semester surprises and helps you prioritize study time where it matters most.

Teachers can also use this tool to quickly verify grade boundaries when curving an exam. Enter the raw score, confirm the letter grade, and adjust the scale thresholds if your department uses non-standard cutoffs.