Each question on a 20-question test is worth 5%. On the 10-point scale the lowest A is 18/20 (90%), the lowest B is 16/20, the lowest C is 14/20 and the lowest D is 12/20. 11 right or fewer is an F.
20-question grading chart
| Right | Wrong | Percent | Grade | Plus/minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 0 | 100% | A | A |
| 19 | 1 | 95% | A | A |
| 18 | 2 | 90% | A | A− |
| 17 | 3 | 85% | B | B |
| 16 | 4 | 80% | B | B− |
| 15 | 5 | 75% | C | C |
| 14 | 6 | 70% | C | C− |
| 13 | 7 | 65% | D | D |
| 12 | 8 | 60% | D | D− |
| 11 | 9 | 55% | F | F |
| 10 | 10 | 50% | F | F |
| 9 | 11 | 45% | F | F |
| 8 | 12 | 40% | F | F |
| 7 | 13 | 35% | F | F |
| 6 | 14 | 30% | F | F |
| 5 | 15 | 25% | F | F |
| 4 | 16 | 20% | F | F |
| 3 | 17 | 15% | F | F |
| 2 | 18 | 10% | F | F |
| 1 | 19 | 5% | F | F |
| 0 | 20 | 0% | F | F |
Grades use the 10-point scale (A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69, F below 60) on the percentage rounded to a whole number. Every score on this test comes out to a whole percentage, so rounding never changes a grade. The plus/minus column splits each band in thirds, such as B− 80–82, B 83–86 and B+ 87–89: a common split, but schools differ. Your school’s policy has the last word.
Common scores out of 20
- 16/20 is 80%: a B (B− with plus and minus). 2 more right would make it an A.
- 18/20 is 90%: an A (A− with plus and minus).
- 15/20 is 75%: a C. 1 more right would make it a B.
- 14/20 is 70%: a C (C− with plus and minus). 2 more right would make it a B.
- 17/20 is 85%: a B. 1 more right would make it an A.
- 12/20 is 60%: a D (D− with plus and minus). 2 more right would make it a C.
The same grade on other test lengths
The score that gives each percentage on the test lengths teachers use most. Where it’s a half score, such as 13.5/15, you need the next whole score (14/15) if you don’t give half points.
| Grade | 15 questions | 20 questions | 25 questions | 30 questions | 50 questions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90% (A) | 13.5/15 | 18/20 | 22.5/25 | 27/30 | 45/50 |
| 80% (B) | 12/15 | 16/20 | 20/25 | 24/30 | 40/50 |
| 70% (C) | 10.5/15 | 14/20 | 17.5/25 | 21/30 | 35/50 |
| 60% (D) | 9/15 | 12/20 | 15/25 | 18/30 | 30/50 |
For any other length, use the teacher grade calculator.
Questions
Is 12 out of 20 passing?
12/20 is 60%, a D on the 10-point scale. A D is the lowest passing grade there: Florida’s law calls it “lowest acceptable progress” and anything under 60% a failure. Your course may set a higher pass mark, so check the syllabus.
What is 80% of 20 questions?
16 right. 16/20 is the lowest B on the 10-point scale.
How many can you miss and still get an A?
2 questions. 18/20 is 90%; one more wrong answer gives 85%, a B.
Sources
- Florida Statutes §1003.437, Middle and high school grading system: A 90–100%, B 80–89%, C 70–79%, D 60–69% (“lowest acceptable progress”), F 0–59%.
- College Board BigFuture, How to Calculate Your GPA on a 4.0 Scale: a commonly used chart with A 90–100, B 80–89 and C 70–79; it notes that schools use different cutoffs.