- Mean
- 87.6
- Median
- 88
- Highest
- 95
- Lowest
- 79
How to calculate an average grade
Add up all the scores and divide by how many there are: average = sum of scores ÷ number of scores. This is the arithmetic mean, and it treats every score as equally important.
If your categories have different weights, such as exams worth more than homework, a plain average is not your course grade. Use the weighted grade calculator for that.
Mean, median and why both matter
The median is the middle score when the list is sorted. One very low or very high score pulls the mean but barely moves the median, so comparing them shows whether a single outlier is driving your average.
Scores out of different totals should be converted to percentages first. A 9 out of 10 and a 45 out of 50 are both 90%, but averaging 9 and 45 gives a meaningless 27.
Worked example: five test scores
A student scores 88, 92, 79, 95, 84 on five tests.
- Sum
- 438
- Average
- 87.6%
- Median
- 88%
- Letter (standard / plus-minus)
- B / B+
438 ÷ 5 = 87.6%, which is a B on the standard scale.
Average Grade Calculator FAQs
Answers on the overall average grade formula, averaging scores out of different totals, weights and credits, the average needed on remaining tests, mean versus median, C grades and GPA.
Interactive Tools Available
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