Points-Based Grade Calculator
Calculate your grade from points earned and points possible.
What Is a Points-Based Grade Calculator?
A Points-Based Grade Calculator calculates your overall grade using the points you earned and the total points possible. This method is commonly used when assignments, quizzes, tests, and exams have different point values.
Instead of giving every assignment the same percentage weight, a points-based grading system adds your earned points and compares them with the total points available. Our calculator makes this calculation quick and easy.
How to Use the Points-Based Grade Calculator
To calculate your grade based on points, enter the points you earned and the points possible for each assignment.
- Enter the name of your assignment, quiz, test, or exam.
- Enter the points earned.
- Enter the points possible.
- Click + Add Another Assignment if you have more grades.
- Click Calculate Grade to see your overall percentage and letter grade.
- Optionally enter a target grade and remaining points to find out what score you need.
How to Calculate a Grade Based on Points
A points-based grade is calculated by dividing your total points earned by your total points possible and multiplying the result by 100.
For example, if you earn 85 points out of 100 possible points:
Your grade would be 85%.
Points-Based Grade Calculator Example
Suppose you have three assignments with different point values:
| Assignment | Points Earned | Points Possible |
|---|---|---|
| Homework | 18 | 20 |
| Quiz | 45 | 50 |
| Exam | 80 | 100 |
| Total | 143 | 170 |
Your overall grade is:
Therefore, your current grade is 84.12%.
How Does a Points-Based Grading System Work?
In a points-based grading system, each assignment is worth a specific number of points. Your final grade depends on the total number of points you earn compared with the total number of points available.
For example, a small homework assignment might be worth 10 points while a major exam might be worth 100 points. The 100-point exam therefore has a much greater effect on your overall percentage because it contributes more points to the total.
This is different from a weighted grading system, where categories such as homework, quizzes, and exams are assigned specific percentage weights.
How Does a Grade Calculator by Points Work?
A grade calculator by points determines your grade by comparing the total points you have earned with the total points possible. Each assignment, quiz, test, or exam contributes points toward your overall grade.
For example, if you earn 85 points out of 100 possible points, your grade is 85%.
A points-based grade calculator is useful when assignments have different point values because the calculation is based on the actual points earned and possible rather than simply averaging percentages.
Points Earned vs. Points Possible
Points earned are the points you received for your work. Points possible are the maximum number of points available for that assignment.
For example, if a quiz is worth 25 points and you receive 22 points, your score for that quiz is:
When calculating an overall points-based grade, add the points earned from all completed assignments and divide them by the total points possible.
How to Calculate Your Grade With Different Point Values
You do not need every assignment to have the same point value. A points-based grading system automatically accounts for different point values by adding all earned points and all possible points.
For example:
- Assignment 1: 9 out of 10
- Assignment 2: 18 out of 20
- Assignment 3: 70 out of 100
Total points earned = 97
Total points possible = 130
Overall grade:
How Many Points Can You Lose and Still Get Your Target Grade?
If your course uses points, the number of points you can lose depends on the total number of points available and the grade you want to achieve.
For example, if a course has 500 total points and you want at least 90%, you need:
This means you can lose up to 50 points and still finish with a 90% grade, assuming there are no other grading rules or extra-credit adjustments.
How Many Points Do I Need to Reach My Target Grade?
Our calculator can also help you determine how many points you need on remaining work when you know your target grade and the number of remaining points possible.
For example, if you currently have 143 points out of 170 and want to finish with a 90% grade, enter your target grade and the number of points still available.
The calculator will determine the number of points you need on the remaining work and show the required percentage.
Points-Based Grade vs. Weighted Grade
Points-based grading and weighted grading are two different ways schools and instructors can calculate grades.
| Points-Based Grading | Weighted Grading |
|---|---|
| Uses points earned and points possible | Uses percentage weights |
| Different assignments can have different point values | Categories are assigned percentage weights |
| Overall grade = total earned ÷ total possible | Overall grade uses weighted category scores |
If your instructor gives categories percentage weights, use our Weighted Grade Calculator instead.
What Is a Good Grade?
What counts as a good grade depends on your school, course, instructor, and grading scale. A common grading scale considers 90% or higher an A, 80–89% a B, 70–79% a C, and 60–69% a D.
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Your school or instructor may use a different grading scale, so always check your course syllabus when determining your official letter grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my grade based on points?
Add all the points you earned, add all the points possible, divide total earned points by total possible points, and multiply by 100.
What is a points-based grade calculator?
A points-based grade calculator calculates an overall percentage using the total points earned and total points possible from your assignments, quizzes, tests, or exams.
Can assignments have different point values?
Yes. Assignments can have different point values. The calculator adds the points earned and possible across all assignments to determine your overall grade.
Can I calculate my target grade?
Yes. Enter your target percentage and the remaining points possible to calculate how many points you need on your remaining work.
What is the formula for a points-based grade?
The formula is: (Total Points Earned ÷ Total Points Possible) × 100.
Is a points-based grade the same as a weighted grade?
No. A points-based grade uses earned and possible points, while a weighted grade uses percentage weights assigned to different categories.
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Calculate Your Grade Based on Points
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