Semester Grade Calculator
Calculate your semester grade from your quarter grades and semester exam.
Q1: 40% | Q2: 40% | Exam: 20%
Leave blank to calculate what you need on the exam
How Semester Grades Work
In most high schools, a semester consists of two quarters (or marking periods) plus a semester exam. Your final semester grade is a weighted combination of these three components. The most common weighting is 40% for Quarter 1, 40% for Quarter 2, and 20% for the semester exam.
Common Weighting Schemes
| Scheme | Q1 | Q2 | Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 40% | 40% | 20% |
| Low Exam Weight | 45% | 45% | 10% |
| No Exam | 50% | 50% | 0% |
| Heavy Exam | 35% | 35% | 30% |
The Semester Grade Formula
Semester Grade = (Q1 × Q1 Weight) + (Q2 × Q2 Weight) + (Exam × Exam Weight)Example: With a 40/40/20 weighting, if Q1 = 85%, Q2 = 90%, and Exam = 88%:
Semester Grade = (85 × 0.40) + (90 × 0.40) + (88 × 0.20) = 34 + 36 + 17.6 = 87.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
Your semester grade is typically calculated by combining your two quarter grades and your semester exam grade using weighted percentages. Common weightings are 40% for each quarter and 20% for the semester exam (40/40/20).
The most common weighting schemes are: 40/40/20 (40% each quarter, 20% exam), 45/45/10 (45% each quarter, 10% exam), and 50/50 (50% each quarter, no exam). Check your school's policy or syllabus for your specific weights.
If your school uses trimesters (three terms per year), you'll need to adjust the calculation. Each trimester typically carries equal weight. Our Weighted Grade Calculator can help with custom weightings.
Many schools allow exam exemptions for students who meet certain criteria (high grades, good attendance, etc.). If you're exempt, select the "50/50 (No Exam)" weighting scheme, which calculates your semester grade as the average of your two quarters.
Enter your Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 grades, but leave the Semester Exam field blank. The calculator will show you what score you need on the exam to achieve an A, B, or C for the semester.
Related Calculators
Weights & Final
Average assignment scores with custom weights and see what you need on the final exam
Final Grade
Find out what score you need on your final exam to get the grade you want
Weighted Grade
Calculate your grade with weighted categories like homework, tests, and finals
Grade Average
Calculate the simple average of your grades
GPA
Calculate your GPA from letter grades and credit hours