Calculator for Grading Tests and Quizzes
Enter the questions and how many are wrong. The percent, letter grade and chart change while you type.
The plus-minus grading scale reads: A+ 97 · A 93 · A minus 90 · B+ 87 · B 83 · B minus 80 · C+ 77 · C 73 · C minus 70 · D+ 67 · D 63 · D minus 60 · F under 60
F is anything below the lowest cut-off.
Cut-offs must go down from A+ to D−.
Grading chart for a test with 20 questions
| Wrong | Right | Percent | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 20 | 100% | A+ |
| 1 | 19 | 95% | A |
| 2 | 18 | 90% | A− |
| 3 | 17 | 85% | B |
| 4 | 16 | 80% | B− |
| 5 | 15 | 75% | C |
| 6 | 14 | 70% | C− |
| 7 | 13 | 65% | D |
| 8 | 12 | 60% | D− |
| 9 | 11 | 55% | F |
| 10 | 10 | 50% | F |
| 11 | 9 | 45% | F |
| 12 | 8 | 40% | F |
| 13 | 7 | 35% | F |
| 14 | 6 | 30% | F |
| 15 | 5 | 25% | F |
| 16 | 4 | 20% | F |
| 17 | 3 | 15% | F |
| 18 | 2 | 10% | F |
| 19 | 1 | 5% | F |
| 20 | 0 | 0% | F |
How to use this calculator for grading
- Enter the count of questions on the test. This stays saved on your device, so you only enter it once per test.
- Enter the count of answers the student got wrong. You see the percent score and letter grade at once, and the chart highlights the matching row.
- Press Enter to go to the next paper. It empties the Wrong field and keeps that box selected. On a phone, use the − and + buttons.
How the grading calculator works
One formula gives every score: percent = (questions − wrong) ÷ questions × 100. With 20 questions and 3 wrong: 17 ÷ 20 × 100 = 85%.
Using the exact score, the scale assigns a letter grade, so 89.5% is a B+ except if you set the A− cut-off lower.
Most online graders and colleges use the plus-minus scale. In US public high schools, the simple A–F scale is most common as a 10-point scale.
Follow your school's policy. Adjust any letter scale cut-off so it matches.
Reference: Academic grading in the United States, Wikipedia
Grading scale: plus-minus
| Letter | Minimum percent |
|---|---|
| A+ | 97 |
| A | 93 |
| A− | 90 |
| B+ | 87 |
| B | 83 |
| B− | 80 |
| C+ | 77 |
| C | 73 |
| C− | 70 |
| D+ | 67 |
| D | 63 |
| D− | 60 |
| F | below 60 |
Grading scale for basic A–F grades
| Letter | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 90–100 |
| B | 80–89 |
| C | 70–79 |
| D | 60–69 |
| F | below 60 |
Grading calculator FAQ
How do you figure out a test grade?
Take the question count and remove the number wrong from it. Divide by the question count, then multiply by 100. A test with 20 questions and 3 wrong works out to (20 − 3) ÷ 20 × 100. That gives 85% and a B.
If 7 answers are wrong on a test with 40 questions, what grade do you get?
33 ÷ 40 × 100 = 82.5%. Under the plus-minus scale, that result is a B−. Under the simple A–F scale, it's a B.
How many questions am I allowed to miss and still earn an A?
Roughly one in ten. The A− begins at 90%. That means you can miss 2 on a 20-question test, 5 on 50 questions and 10 on 100 questions. For your test and scale, the exact number appears on the line below the result.
What percentage counts as passing?
Most US schools set the passing mark at 60% (a D−). Some classes need 70% (a C−). The decision rests with your school's grading policy. The lowest passing cut-off in the calculator is 60%, and you can change it.
Does 89.5% count as an A?
Not with this calculator. Grades use the exact score, and 89.5% is under the 90% cut-off, which means B+. When your school rounds up, set the A− cut-off at 89.5.
Could I set the cut-offs for letter grades myself?
You can. Use the plus-minus or simple A–F scale, and switch between them as needed. Or type the minimum percent you want for each letter. The scale is stored on your device, and the share link includes it.
Does it handle half points and partial credit?
It does. Both fields accept half points. With 1.5 wrong out of 8, the score is 81.3%, a B−. For tests based on points, type the total points in the questions field.
Is this an EZ grader, yes or no?
This calculator does the same job as the slide chart from E-Z Grader. Enter how many questions there are, then read the percent based on the number of incorrect answers. A letter grade and an editable scale are included too. There's no affiliation with the E-Z Grader brand.