Grading Scale for 16 Questions

On a 16-question test, each question is worth 6.25%, so every wrong answer lowers the score by 6.25 percentage points. That is typical of a weekly quiz or spelling test. The chart below shows the percentage and letter grade for every possible score, from 16 right down to 0.

6.25%Per question
10 rightTo pass at 60% (miss up to 6)
Miss 1Still an A at 90%+
Miss 3Still a B at 80%+
Open in EZ Grader

Letter grades on a 16-question test

This summary uses the standard plus/minus scale (A from 93%, A− from 90%, B+ from 87% and so on down to D− at 60%). For a plain scale, an A needs 15 right (miss up to 1), a B allows 3 misses, a C allows 4, and a D allows 6.

GradeRightWrongPercentage
A+160100%
A15193.8%
A−No possible score on a 16-question test
B+14287.5%
BNo possible score on a 16-question test
B−13381.3%
C+No possible score on a 16-question test
C12475%
C−No possible score on a 16-question test
D+11568.8%
DNo possible score on a 16-question test
D−10662.5%
F0–97–160–56.3%

Because each question is worth 6.25%, some letter grades can’t be reached at all on a 16-question test: A−, B, C+, C−, D. Scores jump straight over those ranges. If that matters for your grade book, use half-point scoring in the EZ Grader (Settings → Half points).

Full grade chart for 16 questions

The dashed line marks the pass mark (60%). “+/−” uses the standard plus/minus scale; “Plain” uses A 90, B 80, C 70, D 60.

RightWrongPercentage+/− gradePlain
160100%A+A
15193.8%AA
14287.5%B+B
13381.3%B−B
12475%CC
11568.8%D+D
10662.5%D−D
9756.3%FF
8850%FF
7943.8%FF
61037.5%FF
51131.3%FF
41225%FF
31318.8%FF
21412.5%FF
1156.3%FF
0160%FF

Borderline scores to watch

On a 16-question test, 1 score sits just below a grade cutoff and would move up a letter grade if you round to the nearest whole percent: 10/16 = 62.5%, which rounds up to a D. Decide your rounding rule before grading so these students are treated the same way. The EZ Grader’s Show decimals option shows the exact value.

Need a different grade scale, half points or bonus questions? The EZ Grader rebuilds this chart with your school’s cutoffs, Class Mode grades a whole class list at once, the grade chart library compares test sizes side by side, and the same grade calculator works out weighted and final grades.

Compared with a 15-question test, where each miss costs 6.67 points, a miss here costs 6.25 points, so every answer matters a little less.

Questions about 16-question tests

How many questions can you miss on a 16-question test and still pass?
With 60% as the passing mark, you need at least 10 right, so you can miss up to 6 of 16 questions. Missing 7 gives 56.3%, which is an F.
How many can you miss on a 16-question test and get an A?
If an A starts at 90%, you can miss up to 1 question (93.8%). On a plus/minus scale where A starts at 93%, you can miss 1 (93.8%).
What percentage is 15 out of 16?
15 out of 16 is 93.8%, which is an A on the standard plus/minus scale.
What grade is 12 out of 16?
12 out of 16 is 75%, which is a C on the standard plus/minus scale and a C on a plain A–F scale.

Grade charts for other test sizes

See every size grouped by quiz, chapter test, midterm and final exam in the grade chart library.

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