Grading Scale for 5 Questions

On a 5-question test, each question is worth 20%, so every wrong answer lowers the score by 20 percentage points. That is typical of a short quiz or exit ticket. The chart below shows the percentage and letter grade for every possible score, from 5 right down to 0.

20%Per question
3 rightTo pass at 60% (miss up to 2)
0 missesOnly a perfect score is an A
Miss 1Still a B at 80%+
Open in EZ Grader

Letter grades on a 5-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 5 right (miss up to 0), a B allows 1 misses, a C allows 1, and a D allows 2.

GradeRightWrongPercentage
A+50100%
ANo possible score on a 5-question test
A−No possible score on a 5-question test
B+No possible score on a 5-question test
BNo possible score on a 5-question test
B−4180%
C+No possible score on a 5-question test
CNo possible score on a 5-question test
C−No possible score on a 5-question test
D+No possible score on a 5-question test
DNo possible score on a 5-question test
D−3260%
F0–23–50–40%

Because each question is worth 20%, some letter grades can’t be reached at all on a 5-question test: A, A−, B+, B, C+, C, C−, D+, 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 5 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
50100%A+A
4180%B−B
3260%D−D
2340%FF
1420%FF
050%FF

Borderline scores to watch

No score on a 5-question test rounds up into a higher letter grade, so your rounding policy never changes a grade on a test this size (standard plus/minus scale).

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.

Questions about 5-question tests

How many questions can you miss on a 5-question test and still pass?
With 60% as the passing mark, you need at least 3 right, so you can miss up to 2 of 5 questions. Missing 3 gives 40%, which is an F.
How many can you miss on a 5-question test and get an A?
Only a perfect score is an A on a 5-question test if an A starts at 90%: one miss gives 80%.
What percentage is 4 out of 5?
4 out of 5 is 80%, which is a B− on the standard plus/minus scale.
What grade is 4 out of 5?
4 out of 5 is 80%, which is a B− on the standard plus/minus scale and a B on a plain A–F scale.

Grade charts for other test sizes

56789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495055606570758090100

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

6 questions →
Scroll to Top