Test Average Calculator

Calculate your unweighted test and quiz average in seconds. Optionally drop your lowest score — many instructors do.

Your average
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Test/quiz name Score (%)
Average: —

Everything stays in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

How this is calculated

Simple average: mean = Σ(score) ÷ count where: Σ(score) = sum of all entered scores count = number of scores (or count−1 if lowest is dropped) With lowest dropped: mean = Σ(score excluding min) ÷ (count−1)

Worked example: four test scores, one dropped

Your scores: Midterm 78%, Quiz 1 92%, Quiz 2 85%, Final 88%

Without dropping: (78 + 92 + 85 + 88) ÷ 4 = 343 ÷ 4 = 85.75% (B)

With lowest (78%) dropped: (92 + 85 + 88) ÷ 3 = 265 ÷ 3 = 88.33% (B+)

The difference is almost 2.6 percentage points. That's why some syllabi allow you to drop your lowest quiz or lowest test — it softens the impact of an off day.

Simple average vs. weighted course grade

This tool calculates a simple (unweighted) average of test and quiz scores only. That is different from your overall course grade.

  • This tool: Only tests and quizzes. All count equally. Example: (78 + 92 + 85 + 88) ÷ 4 = 85.75%.
  • Course grade: Usually weighted. Tests might be 40%, quizzes 20%, projects 20%, participation 20%. You'd calculate each category's average, multiply by its weight, then sum them.
  • GPA: Letter grades (A, B, C, etc.) converted to points (4.0, 3.0, 2.0), then averaged across courses. A single tool for that is at /exams/weighted-grade-calculator/.

If your syllabus assigns different weights to different categories (e.g. "final exam counts 50%"), use the Grade Calculator instead. That tool handles weights and lets you account for work you haven't finished yet.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between this calculator and the Grade Calculator?

This tool is simple and fast: enter test scores, get an average. All tests count equally. The Grade Calculator is weighted — it handles categories (quizzes, projects, exams) where each category has a different importance (e.g. quizzes 20%, final exam 50%). Use this tool only if all tests and quizzes count the same toward your average.

Can I enter scores above 100% or below 0%?

Yes. If you scored 105% on extra credit, enter 105. If you need to enter 0, enter 0. The tool will calculate your average accordingly. The grade band will still map your score to a letter grade using the standard scale (90+ = A, 80–89 = B, 70–79 = C, 60–69 = D, below 60 = F).

Why would my syllabus allow dropping the lowest score?

Many instructors drop the lowest quiz or lowest test to account for off days, illness, or learning curves. It's a common policy in science, math, and humanities courses. Check your syllabus to see if it says "drop your lowest quiz" or "your lowest test does not count." This tool's checkbox automates that calculation.

Does my data get uploaded anywhere?

No. Everything you enter stays in your browser's local storage. This tool works offline — no internet needed after the page loads.

How do I use this if my school uses a different grading scale (e.g. 93–100 = A)?

The band on this page shows the standard US scale: A = 90–100%, B = 80–89%, C = 70–79%, D = 60–69%, F = below 60%. If your school uses a different scale (e.g. A = 93+), check your institution's policy and mentally adjust the letter grade. Your exact percentage is what matters — share that with your instructor if there's doubt.

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