Yours Truly answers: It is a good idea to keep track of your running performance after each quiz and exam. It can give you motivation for further improving your standing in the course.

At any given time of the semester, you can determine how you are performing by computing the following figure:

D is the maximum possible points to date. For example, if you have taken Quizzes #1 through #4 and Exam #1 so far, you want to set D = 140 because each quiz is worth 10 points and the exam 100 points.

The above figure should be above 60% in order to have a realistic chance to pass. Of course, to earn a higher grade such as a B or an A, you should keep your goal as high as you can. Remember that the final is cumulative.


Example 1.
I have taken Quizzes #1 through #4, and Exam #1. My current average is 80%. If I get 90/100 on Exam #2, what will be my average then?

(Solution)
80% current average means that you have accumulated 112 (= 140*0.8) points thus far. So, if you get 90/100 on Exam #2, your new average will be (112+90)/240 = 0.842, which is 84.2%.


Example 2.
I have taken Quizzes #1 through #4, and Exam #1. My current average is 35%. If I get 90/100 on Exam #2, what will be my average then?

(Solution)
35% current average means that you have accumulated 49 (= 140*0.35) points thus far. So, if you get 90/100 on Exam #2, your new average will be (49+90)/240 = 0.579, which is 57.9%.


Click here to see a mathematical model for precisely forecasting your final grade.