Semester Grade Calculator
Instantly calculate your semester average using quarter grades, midterm, and final exam — or your cumulative GPA by course. Works for high school, middle school, and college.
How to Calculate Your Semester Grade
Your semester grade combines your performance across the full term into one final score. Follow these steps to calculate it manually — or just use the calculator above.
The 40-40-20 Formula Explained
The most common semester grading formula in US public high schools is 40-40-20: each quarter counts for 40% and the final exam counts for 20%.
📊 Worked Example — 40/40/20 System
| Component | Your Grade | Weight | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 | 85% | 40% | 85 × 0.40 = 34.0 |
| Quarter 2 | 90% | 40% | 90 × 0.40 = 36.0 |
| Final Exam | 88% | 20% | 88 × 0.20 = 17.6 |
| Semester Grade | 34 + 36 + 17.6 = 87.6% | ||
Other Common Weighting Systems
Not every school uses 40/40/20. Here are the most common alternatives:
Semester Grade Calculator for High School
High school semester grades are recorded permanently on your transcript and directly affect your GPA. Here's what you need to know:
How High School Semester Grades Work
Most US high schools divide each semester into two 9-week marking periods (quarters). At the end of the semester, your two quarter grades are combined with your final exam to produce your semester grade. This final semester grade — not your quarter grades — appears on your official transcript.
With Final Exam
If your school has a final exam or semester test, use the Standard (40/40/20) tab in the calculator above. Enter your two quarter grades and your final exam score.
Without Final Exam
Some high schools do not require a semester final for certain courses. In that case, your semester grade is simply:
Use the No Final Exam tab in the calculator above for this formula.
Middle School
Middle school semester grades work identically to high school. Enter your marking period grades and — if applicable — your final exam score. The same 40/40/20 formula typically applies from grades 6–12.
Semester Grade Calculator — 3 Six-Weeks System
Some districts (especially in Texas) divide each semester into three six-week grading periods instead of two quarters.
Or, if a final exam is included (typically worth 20%), each six-weeks counts for ~26.7%:
Use the Custom Weights tab and enter your six-weeks grades with the appropriate weights.
Midterm & Semester Exam Calculator
A midterm exam falls halfway through the semester. Depending on your school, it may:
- Count as part of your first quarter grade (folded in with other tests)
- Count as a separate weighted component (e.g., 10–20% of the semester)
- Simply be one major test in your gradebook with no special weight
US Letter Grade Scale
After calculating your semester average, find your letter grade below:
Note: Grade cutoffs vary by school. Some schools start an A at 90% and an F at 65%. Always check your school's official grading policy.
What Is a Semester Grade?
A semester grade is the final grade you receive for a class at the end of one semester — typically 18 weeks. It combines your ongoing performance into a single score permanently recorded on your transcript.
Why Semester Grades Matter
Semester Grade vs. Quarter Grade
Your quarter grade is a checkpoint — it shows how you're doing mid-semester but does not appear on your transcript. Your semester grade is the one that counts permanently.