How the required exam mark calculator works
Last updated 10 November 2026
Once your tests and assignments are marked, the exam is the last piece. The sum is simple: what you need is the gap between your target and the marks you have, spread over the weight of the exam.
How it works
- Marks banked = mark × weight ÷ 100, added up.
- Exam weight = 100% minus the weights entered.
- Mark needed = (target − marks banked) ÷ exam weight × 100.
Worked example
With the starting figures:
- The example marks bank 24.8 out of 100.
- With 60% still to come, you need 42.0% to reach the target.
How to read your result
The headline is the mark you need in the part still to come to reach your target final mark. It is the gap between the target and the marks you have banked, spread over the weight still to come.
If the answer is above 100%, the target cannot be reached through that part alone, and the page says so. If you have already banked enough, any mark keeps you at or above the target, subject to your institution’s rules.
A closer look at the target
The target is the final mark you want, not the mark you want in the exam. Many people enter their pass mark. You can also try a higher one, such as the mark for a distinction, to see what that would take.
Try a few targets and compare. The needed mark rises in step with the target, and the smaller the weight still to come, the faster the needed mark rises.
Common mistakes
- Entering the exam as one of the assessments. Leave it out, and the calculator treats the leftover weight as the exam.
- Using marks that are not yet confirmed or have since been moderated.
- Entering weights that do not match the course guide.
- Ignoring a sub-minimum. A course may require a minimum in the exam in addition to the final mark.
What this does not cover
The calculator assumes that all of the remaining weight is one part, such as a single exam. If the remaining weight is split over several parts, the result is the average mark you need across them. It also does not apply rounding or supplementary rules. Your institution’s own rules always decide your marks.
A short worked idea
The marks banked in the worked example are 24.8 out of 100. The target minus that figure is the gap still to close. Dividing the gap by the weight still to come, and scaling to a percentage, gives the mark needed.
This also shows why the result can look harsh. When only a small weight is left, a small gap needs a very high mark in that part.
Related questions
Can I use it before my tests are marked? You can enter marks you expect, but the result is then a guess. Use confirmed marks for a result you can rely on.
What if the answer is very low? It may mean you have already banked most of what you need. Check the rules for a minimum in the exam.
Things to watch
- Aim above the minimum. Marks vary.
- Your institution’s own rules always decide your marks.
Count the days with the exam countdown. Read the full disclaimer.