Test Grade Calculator
Enter the total number of questions on the test and how many you got wrong (or how many you got right) to instantly see your percentage score, letter grade from A+ to F, and the GPA equivalent. You can also switch the passing threshold to match your school or instructor's grading scale, and the "show your work" panel walks through every step of the calculation.
Formula
Worked example
A student answers 17 out of 20 questions correctly (3 wrong): Score = 17 / 20 x 100 = 85%. Looking up 85% gives a letter grade of B and a GPA equivalent of 3.0.
How the test grade is calculated
The formula is simple: divide the number of correct answers by the total number of questions and multiply by 100. If you know how many questions you got wrong instead, subtract that number from the total first. For tests graded by points rather than questions, the same logic applies: divide points earned by points possible and multiply by 100. The percentage is then matched to a letter grade using the standard US scale, which this calculator follows by default.
What the letter grade means
US schools and colleges typically use a 13-band scale running from A+ (97-100%) down to F (below 60%). Each letter band maps to a GPA point on the common 4.0 scale used for college admissions and academic standing. A and B grades are generally considered above average, C grades are average (and often the minimum for credit in prerequisites), D grades pass in many schools but may not satisfy major requirements, and F means the work does not meet minimum standards. Some institutions use a simpler scale without plus and minus modifiers; others shift the passing line to 65% or 70%. The passing threshold selector at the top of this calculator lets you match your institution's policy.
Grading scales across different schools
The 60% passing line is the most common in US high schools and universities, but it is not universal. Some competitive programs set passing at 70% or even higher, while others - particularly in graduate education and some international programs - set it at 50%. The scores that earn each letter can also differ: a "B" at one school may start at 80%, at another it may start at 83% or 85%. Always check your syllabus or institution's academic catalog for the exact scale your instructor uses, then set the passing threshold here accordingly.
Using this calculator as a teacher (easy grader)
Teachers can use this tool as an "easy grader": set the total number of questions for the test, then enter different wrong-answer counts to quickly look up the grade for each paper. The built-in grade scale table in the reference section shows the full mapping from number wrong to percentage and letter grade for any test length. You can also switch to points mode if the test is not equally weighted per question.
Standard US letter grade scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA (4.0 scale) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 97-100% | A+ | 4.0 | Excellent |
| 93-96% | A | 4.0 | Excellent |
| 90-92% | A- | 3.7 | Excellent |
| 87-89% | B+ | 3.3 | Above average |
| 83-86% | B | 3.0 | Above average |
| 80-82% | B- | 2.7 | Above average |
| 77-79% | C+ | 2.3 | Average |
| 73-76% | C | 2.0 | Average |
| 70-72% | C- | 1.7 | Average |
| 67-69% | D+ | 1.3 | Below average |
| 63-66% | D | 1.0 | Below average |
| 60-62% | D- | 0.7 | Below average |
| Below 60% | F | 0.0 | Failing |
Percentage ranges and GPA equivalents used by most US high schools and colleges.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my test grade as a percentage?
Divide the number of correct answers by the total number of questions, then multiply by 100. For example, 17 correct out of 20 questions is 17 / 20 x 100 = 85%. If you know how many you got wrong, subtract that from the total to find your correct answers first.
What is the formula for test grade from wrong answers?
Score = ((Total - Wrong) / Total) x 100. If you missed 4 questions on a 25-question test: (25 - 4) / 25 x 100 = 21 / 25 x 100 = 84%, which is a B.
What percentage is each letter grade?
On the standard US scale: A+ = 97-100%, A = 93-96%, A- = 90-92%, B+ = 87-89%, B = 83-86%, B- = 80-82%, C+ = 77-79%, C = 73-76%, C- = 70-72%, D+ = 67-69%, D = 63-66%, D- = 60-62%, and F = below 60%.
Is 70% a passing grade?
It depends on the institution. Most US high schools and colleges set the passing line at 60%, making 70% a D+ or C- (above passing). However, some programs, graduate schools, or strict instructors require 70% or higher to pass a course. Check your syllabus for the exact rule.
What GPA is a 90% test grade?
A 90% is an A- on the standard scale, which corresponds to a 3.7 GPA on the 4.0 scale. A 93% or higher is a full A (4.0), and a 97% or above is an A+ (also 4.0 in most GPA systems, though some give 4.3 for A+).
Can I use this for tests graded by points, not questions?
Yes. Switch the "Enter answers as" selector to "Points earned / points possible" and enter your raw score and the maximum score. The percentage, letter grade, and GPA equivalent are calculated the same way.
How many questions can I miss and still pass?
It depends on the total number of questions and the passing threshold. To find the maximum wrong answers allowed: Max wrong = Total x (1 - Passing% / 100). On a 40-question test with a 60% passing line: 40 x 0.40 = 16 questions missed. On the same test with a 70% line: 40 x 0.30 = 12 questions missed.