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Test Grade Calculator
Convert points earned out of points possible into a percentage and letter grade.
Teachers & Students3.0 grade points on the US Standard (90/80/70/60) scale
Not every test is marked question by question. Essays, projects and mixed-format exams are usually marked in points, and this calculator converts a points score into the percentage and letter grade your gradebook needs. Enter the points a student earned and the points possible, pick your grading scale, and the result appears as you type, including half-point scores such as 17.5 out of 20.
How to use the Test Grade Calculator
- Enter the points the student earned.
- Enter the total points the test was worth.
- Select the grading scale used by your school.
- Read the percentage, letter grade and GPA points.
Formula
The percentage is matched against the selected scale. On the US plus/minus scale, 83-86% is a B (3.0), while the same score on the Australian scale falls in the Distinction band.
Worked example
A history test is marked out of 45 points and a student earns 38. Percentage = 38 / 45 x 100 = 84.4%. On the US standard scale that is a B. On the plus/minus scale it is also a B, worth 3.0 GPA points, because the B band runs from 83% to 86%.
Good to know
Points-based marking is common when questions carry different weights, for example a 2-point multiple-choice section followed by a 10-point essay. A percentage keeps those sections comparable across classes and terms. One caution: a percentage treats every point as equal, so a student who missed the essay entirely can land on the same percentage as one who lost small marks throughout. Many teachers record both the raw points and the percentage in the gradebook so the pattern of lost marks is not lost.
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 convert a test score to a percentage?
Divide the points earned by the points possible and multiply by 100. For example, 38 out of 45 is 38 / 45 = 0.844, which is 84.4%.
What percentage is a B?
On the US standard scale a B is 80-89%. On the plus/minus scale a plain B is narrower, 83-86%, with B- at 80-82% and B+ at 87-89%.
Can I enter half points?
Yes. The points fields accept decimals, so scores like 17.5 out of 20 are calculated exactly, giving 87.5%.
Is 84.4% rounded to 84% or 85%?
The calculator shows one decimal place and does not round the grade boundary decision for you. Whether 84.4% becomes 84% or 85% in the gradebook depends on your school rounding policy.
How is this different from the EZ Grader?
The EZ Grader starts from wrong answers on a question-count test and builds a full chart. This calculator starts from points, which suits essays, projects and weighted question papers.
Go deeper
Prefer the full walkthrough? Read our guide: What Do Letter Grades Mean? — 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.