Education · 5 min read · Last updated September 2026
Where w is the final's weight as a decimal. Worked example: current 78%, final worth 20% (w = 0.2), target 80%. (80 − 78 × 0.8) ÷ 0.2 = (80 − 62.4) ÷ 0.2 = 88%. Heavier finals move the requirement less than intuition suggests — a 40%-weight final for the same 80% target needs only (80 − 46.8) ÷ 0.4 = 83%.
If the formula returns more than 100, the target is mathematically unreachable — better to know at study-plan time than at results time. Example: 60% current, 30%-weight final, 85% target: (85 − 42) ÷ 0.3 = 143% → impossible; the honest ceiling is 60 × 0.7 + 100 × 0.3 = 72%. Recalculate targets with the Grade Calculator after each marked assessment — the requirement changes every time current% moves.
(Target − Current × (1 − weight)) ÷ weight, with the final’s weight as a decimal. 78% current, 20%-weight final, 80% target → 88% needed.
The target is mathematically impossible. Your realistic ceiling is current × (1 − w) + 100 × w — recompute an achievable target and put the study hours where they move other courses.
Usually lower, surprisingly: a bigger weight means your current grade influences less of the outcome, so the final needs less over-performance to hit the same target.
Both. Before the final it sets the study target; after every marked assessment the requirement changes, so recompute rather than relying on an old number.