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What Grade Do I Need on My Final to Get a B+?

Target a B+ (87–89%) to hit a 3.3 GPA, then calculate the exact final exam score you need to land there. Note: B+ is the highest B tier on a plus/minus scale and requires a higher score than a straight B.

B+ Target Calculator

%
Your average so far on graded work
%
Target course grade (87% = B+)
%
What % of your course grade is the final
Required on Final
—
F
0–59 D
60–69 C
70–79 B
80–89 A
90–100

How this is calculated

required = (target − current × (1 − w)) / w

target = grade you want in the course, %
current = your average on graded work so far, %
w = final exam weight, as a decimal (e.g., 40% → 0.40)

Assumption: Your current grade is the average of all work graded so far, which makes up (1 − w) of your course grade. Everything ungraded counts toward the final.

Worked example

You have an 82% average on work worth 60% of the course. Your final is 40% of your grade. What do you need to finish with an 87% (B+)?

required = (87 − 82 × (1 − 0.40)) / 0.40
required = (87 − 82 × 0.60) / 0.40
required = (87 − 49.2) / 0.40
required = 37.8 / 0.40
required = 94.5%

Tight. You need 94.5% on the final — this is an A on the hardest exam of the term. Possible, but demanding.

Why aim for B+? The 3.3 GPA threshold

If you're chasing a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher, every grade matters. On a plus/minus scale, a B+ (87–89%) earns 3.3 GPA points, while a straight B (83–86%) earns only 3.0. That 0.3 difference compounds across courses.

The GPA math

Suppose you're taking four courses this term and you currently have a cumulative 3.3 GPA. If you earn a B (3.0) in one course, your new cumulative GPA drops. To stay at or above 3.3, you'd need to compensate with higher grades in other courses. Aiming for B+ instead ensures you hold the line.

Where this matters most

  • Scholarship or grant eligibility: Many programs require a 3.3+ cumulative GPA. One B where you could have earned a B+ is enough to disqualify you.
  • Graduate school applications: Competitive grad programs look at cumulative GPA. A 3.32 vs. 3.29 may not sound like much, but when admissions are tight, every 0.01 point counts.
  • GPA-linked academic standing: Some schools place probation or honors status at the 3.3 threshold. Missing it by one letter grade in one course is frustrating.

Important caveat: Grading scales vary by institution. Always confirm that your school uses 87–89% for B+ and 3.3 GPA before relying on these targets. The calculator above lets you adjust both the percentage and the weight to match your exact course structure.

B+ vs. B: The plus/minus distinction

Schools that use plus/minus grading split the letter grades into three bands each. Here's how B splits:

  • B+ (87–89%): Worth 3.3 GPA. The highest B tier. Only 3 percentage points separate you from an A−.
  • B (83–86%): Worth 3.0 GPA. The middle B. This is what most people mean when they simply say "a B".
  • B− (80–82%): Worth 2.7 GPA. The lowest B. Technically a B grade, but GPA-wise it's closer to a C+ (2.3) than to a B+ (3.3).

Without plus/minus modifiers, most schools just use 80–89% for any B, which earns 3.0 GPA uniformly. But if your school uses the 13-letter scale (A+, A, A−, B+, B, B−, …) or a 12-letter variant, these cutoffs matter. Check your course syllabus to confirm.

Required final score by current grade and final weight

This table shows what percentage you need on the final to reach 87% in the course (B+). Every cell is computed live based on the formulas above.

Current Grade Final 10% Final 20% Final 30% Final 40% Final 50%

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a B+ and a B?

On a plus/minus grading scale, a B+ (87–89%) typically earns 3.3 GPA points, while a straight B (83–86%) earns 3.0. The difference is 0.3 GPA points, which can matter for scholarships, grad school applications, or cumulative GPA requirements. Some students chase a 3.3+ target; aiming for B+ instead of B is how to reach it.

Is 87% always a B+ at every school?

Not always. While 87% is the standard lower boundary for B+ at most schools, some use 85–89, and a few use different cutoffs entirely. Always check your course syllabus or registrar's handbook for your institution's exact scale. Our calculator lets you adjust the target to match your school's specific cutoff.

Why aim for a B+ when a B is easier to get?

Many students target B+ to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher. Even one B (3.0) can pull down a 3.3+ average if other grades are close to that level. If you need 3.3 GPA for your major, scholarship, or grad school, B+ matters. Run the calculator with 87% as your target to see what the final exam demands.

What if I need even higher — a B+ but with a small margin?

Use the calculator and set your target to a higher score — say 88% or 89% — to see how high your final must go. The higher your target within the B+ band, the more demanding the final exam becomes, because the math is less forgiving. Some students play it safe and target 90% (entry to A−) instead.

Related tools

If you want to explore other grade targets or scenarios, check out:

Sources