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Exam Score Calculator
Convert an exam score in points or questions into a percentage and letter grade.
Teachers & Students3.0 grade points on the US Standard (90/80/70/60) scale
Exams come in every format: a 200-point cumulative final, a 50-question midterm, a board-style paper with weighted sections. This calculator converts any of them into the percentage and letter grade that transcripts use, accepting either points or a question count with wrong answers, so the same tool works from the moment the invigilator collects the papers to the moment results are posted.
How to use the Exam Score Calculator
- Choose points mode or questions mode.
- Enter the score achieved and the maximum, or the question total and wrong answers.
- Select the grading scale your institution uses.
- Read the percentage and letter grade.
Formula
Score and maximum can be points or questions, as long as both use the same unit. The letter grade follows the selected scale, US standard by default.
Worked example
A midterm marked out of 120 points with a score of 97 gives 97 / 120 = 80.8%, a B- on the plus/minus scale and a B on the standard scale. A 50-question exam with 7 wrong gives 43 / 50 = 86%, a B, showing that question-count and points formats land on the same percentage scale.
Good to know
Raw percentages from different exams are not directly comparable when the papers differ in difficulty, which is why departments moderate results and why some apply a curve after a hard sitting. If your exam result looks out of line with your coursework, check three things before concluding anything: whether a curve has been announced, whether sections were weighted, and whether the posted score is out of the maximum you assumed. Each changes the percentage materially.
US grading scale reference
The table below is the US plus/minus scale used across this site. Where this tool offers other scales, the Canadian scale sets an A from 85% with a pass at 50%, and the Australian scale uses the bands HD (85%+), D (75-84%), C (65-74%), P (50-64%) and F (below 50%) on a 7.0 GPA.
| Letter grade | Percentage | GPA points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100% | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80–82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70–72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 |
| D- | 60–62% | 0.7 |
| F | 0–59% | 0.0 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn my exam score into a percentage?
Divide your score by the maximum score and multiply by 100. A score of 97 out of 120 is 80.8%. This calculator does it and adds the letter grade.
What is a good exam score?
On the US scale, 90% and above is an A. In context, compare with the class average if it is published; on a hard paper an 82% may be among the strongest results.
Will my exam score be curved?
Only your instructor can say. If a curve is applied, the Grade Curve Calculator shows the square-root and flat-point adjustments most commonly used.
How does my exam score affect my course grade?
Multiply the exam percentage by its course weight and add your weighted coursework average. The Assignment Grade Calculator shows the contribution method for a single component.
What if the exam had sections with different maximums?
Total the sections first: add all points earned and all points possible, then enter the two totals here. The percentage is over the whole paper.
Go deeper
Prefer the full walkthrough? Read our guide: How to Calculate Your Final Grade — it explains the method step by step with more worked examples.
Sources & further reading
- Education Week — grading and assessment coverage — Reporting and research on classroom grading practice for K-12 educators.
- ASCD — resources on fair and accurate grading — Professional guidance for educators on assessment and reporting.
Related tools
Last reviewed: November 2026. Results from this calculator are estimates based on the published scales above; your school's recorded grade is the official one.