Where your score lands
You are at 85% — a B, in the B band.
On the standard scale each grade is a 10-point band, except F, which covers everything below 60%. That is why a single wrong answer on a short test can drop a whole letter, while the same mistake barely moves a 100-question exam.
How many you can miss and still get each grade
The shorter the test, the more each question is worth. These are the most you can get wrong on a common test length before you slip below the grade.
| Test length | A (90%) | B (80%) | C (70%) | Pass, D (60%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 questions | 1 wrong | 2 wrong | 3 wrong | 4 wrong |
| 20 questions | 2 wrong | 4 wrong | 6 wrong | 8 wrong |
| 25 questions | 2 wrong | 5 wrong | 7 wrong | 10 wrong |
| 50 questions | 5 wrong | 10 wrong | 15 wrong | 20 wrong |
| 100 questions | 10 wrong | 20 wrong | 30 wrong | 40 wrong |
The 10-point scale
| Grade | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100% | 4.0 |
| B | 80–89% | 3.0 |
| C | 70–79% | 2.0 |
| D | 60–69% | 1.0 |
| F | below 60% | 0.0 |
Switch the calculator to A± to use the plus/minus scale, where A starts at 93% and A− at 90%. Many colleges require a C (70%) rather than a D to count a course toward a major.
Common questions
How is a test grade worked out?
Divide the number correct by the number of questions and multiply by 100. Eighteen right out of twenty is 18 / 20 x 100 = 90%, which is an A on the standard scale.
How many questions can I miss on a 25-question test to get an A?
Two. You need at least 23 correct, since 23 / 25 is 92%. A third wrong answer drops you to 88%, a B.
Is 60% a passing grade?
On most US scales, yes — 60% is a D, the lowest passing grade. But many college programs need a C (70%) to pass a required course, and some certification exams set the bar at 80% or higher.
