It's the question every student asks in week 12: what do I actually need on the final? The good news is it's simple maths once you know your weightings.
The formula
Mark needed on the final = (target grade − marks you've already earned) ÷ weight of the final
"Marks you've already earned" means each assessment's score multiplied by its weighting, added together. Work in percentages of the whole subject.
A worked example
Say your subject is assessed like this:
- Quiz, worth 10%: you got 8/10 (80%)
- Assignment, worth 25%: you got 68%
- Mid-semester test, worth 15%: you got 41/50 (82%)
- Final exam, worth 50%: still to come
Marks earned so far: 10 × 0.80 + 25 × 0.68 + 15 × 0.82 = 8 + 17 + 12.3 = 37.3 out of 50.
To get a Distinction (75%), you need 75 − 37.3 = 37.7 more marks from the final, which is worth 50. So you need 37.7 ÷ 50 = 75.4% on the final.
To pass (50%), you need 50 − 37.3 = 12.7 marks, or just 25.4% on the final, unless there's a hurdle (see below).
Common Australian grade bands
Many Australian universities use bands like these, but always check your own uni's policy:
- HD (High Distinction): 85 and above
- D (Distinction): 75 to 84
- C (Credit): 65 to 74
- P (Pass): 50 to 64
Watch out for hurdles
Some subjects have a hurdle requirement, such as needing at least 40% or 50% on the final exam to pass the subject, no matter what your overall mark is. Check your subject outline before you relax.
Skip the maths
The Uni Assessment Planner works this out for every subject as you enter marks. It also lists every deadline soonest first, maps your crunch weeks across the semester and estimates your WAM and GPA. It runs on your phone or laptop, with a spreadsheet edition included.
Grade bands, hurdles and WAM/GPA rules vary between universities. Check your uni's assessment policy for the rules that apply to you.