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Semester Grade Calculator

Combine your quarter grades, midterm and final exam into one semester grade. Pick your school's setup, enter what you have, and see what you need on the exam that's left.

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  • U.S. grading scale
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Your school's semester setup

  1. %
  2. %
  3. %

Leave the final blank to see what you need on it.

Semester grade

Enter at least one quarter or exam grade.

How semester grades work in U.S. schools

Most American high schools split the year into two semesters, each with two quarters (or three six-week periods in parts of Texas and the South). Your semester grade blends those grading periods with a semester exam. It's the semester grade, not the quarter grades, that earns credit and goes on your transcript.

Semester grade = Σ(period grade × weight) ÷ Σ(weights)

Worked example

Q1 88%, Q2 81%, final worth 20%

So far: (88×40 + 81×40) ÷ 80 = 84.5%.

To finish with a B (80%): (80×100 − 84.5×80) ÷ 20 = 62% on the final. For an A- (90%): (9,000 − 6,760) ÷ 20 = 112%, not reachable.

Presets included

  • 2 quarters + final (40/40/20): the most common high school setup.
  • 2 quarters + midterm + final: for schools that give a midterm exam each semester.
  • 3 six-weeks + exam: three grading periods plus a semester exam (15%).
  • College: midterm + final: coursework, a midterm and a cumulative final.

Every name and weight is editable, so you can match your handbook exactly.

From semester grade to GPA

Each semester grade becomes a letter and grade points on your transcript. Enter your semester letters in the high school GPA calculator to see your weighted and unweighted GPA, or in the college GPA calculator for credit-hour courses.

Frequently asked questions

How is a semester grade calculated?

Multiply each quarter (or grading period) grade and exam grade by its weight, then add them. With Q1 40%, Q2 40% and a final 20%: semester = Q1×0.4 + Q2×0.4 + Final×0.2.

What are typical semester weights?

A common high school setup is 40% / 40% / 20% (two quarters and a final). Others use 45/45/10, or include a midterm exam. Your student handbook or district grading policy lists the exact weights.

What do I need on my semester exam?

Enter your quarter grades and leave the final blank. The calculator shows the score you need on the exam for each letter grade.

How do I calculate a midterm grade?

Use the '2 quarters + midterm + final' preset, or add a row named Midterm with its weight. If you only want your grade up to the midterm, enter the parts graded so far; the result is your current grade.

Is the semester grade what goes on my transcript?

At most U.S. high schools, yes. Semester grades are the ones that earn credit and count toward your GPA. Quarter grades are progress reports.

Last reviewed by the GradeCalc team. See how we calculate.