Each question on a 50-question test is worth 2%. On the 10-point scale the lowest A is 45/50 (90%), the lowest B is 40/50, the lowest C is 35/50 and the lowest D is 30/50. 29 right or fewer is an F. The chart assumes every question is worth the same. If some questions carry more points, enter the points earned and the points possible in the teacher grade calculator instead.
50-question grading chart
| Right | Wrong | Percent | Grade | Plus/minus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 100% | A | A |
| 49 | 1 | 98% | A | A |
| 48 | 2 | 96% | A | A |
| 47 | 3 | 94% | A | A |
| 46 | 4 | 92% | A | A− |
| 45 | 5 | 90% | A | A− |
| 44 | 6 | 88% | B | B+ |
| 43 | 7 | 86% | B | B |
| 42 | 8 | 84% | B | B |
| 41 | 9 | 82% | B | B− |
| 40 | 10 | 80% | B | B− |
| 39 | 11 | 78% | C | C+ |
| 38 | 12 | 76% | C | C |
| 37 | 13 | 74% | C | C |
| 36 | 14 | 72% | C | C− |
| 35 | 15 | 70% | C | C− |
| 34 | 16 | 68% | D | D+ |
| 33 | 17 | 66% | D | D |
| 32 | 18 | 64% | D | D |
| 31 | 19 | 62% | D | D− |
| 30 | 20 | 60% | D | D− |
| 29 | 21 | 58% | F | F |
| 28 | 22 | 56% | F | F |
| 27 | 23 | 54% | F | F |
| 26 | 24 | 52% | F | F |
| 25 | 25 | 50% | F | F |
| 24 | 26 | 48% | F | F |
| 23 | 27 | 46% | F | F |
| 22 | 28 | 44% | F | F |
| 21 | 29 | 42% | F | F |
| 20 | 30 | 40% | F | F |
| 19 | 31 | 38% | F | F |
| 18 | 32 | 36% | F | F |
| 17 | 33 | 34% | F | F |
| 16 | 34 | 32% | F | F |
| 15 | 35 | 30% | F | F |
| 14 | 36 | 28% | F | F |
| 13 | 37 | 26% | F | F |
| 12 | 38 | 24% | F | F |
| 11 | 39 | 22% | F | F |
| 10 | 40 | 20% | F | F |
| 9 | 41 | 18% | F | F |
| 8 | 42 | 16% | F | F |
| 7 | 43 | 14% | F | F |
| 6 | 44 | 12% | F | F |
| 5 | 45 | 10% | F | F |
| 4 | 46 | 8% | F | F |
| 3 | 47 | 6% | F | F |
| 2 | 48 | 4% | F | F |
| 1 | 49 | 2% | F | F |
| 0 | 50 | 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, as the calculator does by default. 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 50
- 45/50 is 90%: an A (A− with plus and minus).
- 35/50 is 70%: a C (C− with plus and minus). 5 more right would make it a B.
- 40/50 is 80%: a B (B− with plus and minus). 5 more right would make it an A.
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 30 out of 50 passing?
30/50 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 50 questions?
40 right. 40/50 is the lowest B on the 10-point scale.
How many can you miss and still get an A?
5 questions. 45/50 is 90%; one more wrong answer gives 88%, 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.