Calculate percent correct from total questions and correct or wrong answers, check a passing threshold, or find the correct answers needed for a target score.
- All Math and Numbers Calculators
- Percentage Accuracy Calculator
- Accuracy Calculator
- Marks Percentage Calculator
Percent Correct Formula
Choose percent from correct answers, wrong answers, or points earned. Target modes find the minimum whole number of correct answers, or the points needed, to reach a goal.
- Correct = number of questions or points you got right
- Total = total questions or points available
- Target% = the percent score you want to reach
- Correct Needed = minimum number of correct answers to hit the target
In Score mode, you enter the total and either the number correct or the number wrong. If you enter wrong answers, the calculator subtracts from the total before applying the formula. It also compares the result to the passing threshold you set; it does not assign a letter grade.
In Target mode, you enter the total and the percent you want. The calculator multiplies and rounds up, since you cannot get partial questions right on most tests. It also reports how many you can afford to miss. Points needed for a target does not round to whole questions; your scoring rules may require rounding up to an allowed point increment.
Reference Tables
Illustrative plus/minus letter scale (not applied by the calculator; use your course syllabus):
| Percent | Letter |
|---|---|
| 97 to 100 | A+ |
| 93 to 96 | A |
| 90 to 92 | A- |
| 87 to 89 | B+ |
| 83 to 86 | B |
| 80 to 82 | B- |
| 77 to 79 | C+ |
| 73 to 76 | C |
| 70 to 72 | C- |
| 67 to 69 | D+ |
| 63 to 66 | D |
| 60 to 62 | D- |
| Below 60 | F |
How many you can miss on a 40-question test at common targets:
| Target | Correct Needed | Can Miss |
|---|---|---|
| 70% | 28 | 12 |
| 80% | 32 | 8 |
| 85% | 34 | 6 |
| 90% | 36 | 4 |
| 95% | 38 | 2 |
Examples and FAQ
Example 1. You got 33 right out of 40. (33 / 40) * 100 = 82.50%. That would be a B- under the illustrative scale below; the calculator itself does not assign a letter grade.
Example 2. You want 90% on a 50-question test. 0.90 * 50 = 45. You need 45 correct and can miss 5.
What if questions have different point values? Choose Percent from points earned, then enter points earned and total possible points. Decimal points and partial credit are supported.
How is partial credit handled? Choose Percent from points earned and include partial credit in the points earned. The percentage formula does not change.
Why does the target mode round up? You cannot answer 31.5 questions correctly. Rounding up gives the smallest whole number that still meets or exceeds the target.
What if my class uses a different letter scale? No letter grade is shown. The table is illustrative; use the scale and rounding rules in your syllabus.
