How the calculation works
A precise answer at the edge of your target.
To find how many questions you need right, multiply the total questions by your target percentage, then round the required correct count up to the next whole question. Subtract that result from the test total to find how many you can miss.
Rounding up matters because you cannot answer part of a question correctly under this calculator’s assumptions. The tool checks the exact boundary: the returned correct count meets your entered target, and one fewer does not. It assumes every question has equal value, there is no partial credit or curve, and your entered percentage is the relevant threshold.
Worked test-grade examples
Common test sizes, checked at the exact question boundary.
50 questions · 80% target
40 correct, 10 missed
40 out of 50 is exactly 80%, so ten questions can be missed.
40 questions · 90% target
36 correct, 4 missed
36 out of 40 is exactly 90%.
25 questions · 70% target
18 correct, 7 missed
18 out of 25 is 72%. You must round up because 17 out of 25 is only 68%.
60 questions · 85% target
51 correct, 9 missed
51 out of 60 is exactly 85%.
Questions students ask
Short answers about grading thresholds and test scores.
How many questions can I miss and still get an A?
Enter the percentage your teacher or school uses for an A. There is no universal A cutoff: it varies by course, teacher, and institution.
How do I calculate my test grade?
Divide the number correct by the total questions and multiply by 100. The “What grade did I get?” calculator above performs this calculation from either a correct or wrong count.
Why does the number correct round up?
A fraction of a correct answer is not possible when questions have equal value and no partial credit. Rounding down could leave your percentage below the target.
How many questions can I miss on a 50-question test?
It depends on your target. At 80%, you can miss 10; at 90%, you can miss 5. Enter your required percentage above for the exact 50-question test grading scale.
How many can I get wrong and still get 80%?
That depends on the test size. Multiply the total by 80%, round the correct count up, then subtract it from the total. For 50 questions, you can get 10 wrong.
What if my teacher curves the test?
Use your teacher’s stated threshold if the curve changes it. This calculator does not predict curves, and a curved result can differ from the unadjusted percentage.
Does this work with partial credit or weighted questions?
No. The result assumes equal-value questions and no partial credit. Use your teacher’s point totals when questions carry different weights.
Is my test information stored?
No. Calculations run locally in your browser. This version has no accounts, server, analytics, or unnecessary tracking.