Key takeaway
% = (your score ÷ the test's total points) × 100. For a 42/50 test that's 84%. Below is a ready table for common scores, plus how to handle any total and bonus points.
Scope and assumptions
Bonus/curve handling is set by the instructor. Confirm on the official syllabus. This site is informational and not official.
Short answer: % = (your score ÷ the test's total points) × 100. For a 42/50 test that's 84%. Below is a ready table for common scores, plus how to handle any total and bonus points.
Quick navigation
- Full method → how-to-calculate-test-percentage
- Overall grade → grade-percentage-formula
- Hub → exam-percentage-hub
1. Ready score table
| Score | Total | % | Score | Total | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42 | 50 | 84.0% | 36 | 40 | 90.0% |
| 38 | 50 | 76.0% | 30 | 40 | 75.0% |
| 34 | 50 | 68.0% | 27 | 40 | 67.5% |
| 18 | 20 | 90.0% | 24 | 40 | 60.0% |
| 16 | 20 | 80.0% | 19 | 25 | 76.0% |
| 14 | 20 | 70.0% | 14 | 25 | 56.0% |
| 9 | 10 | 90.0% | 8 | 10 | 80.0% |
| 7 | 10 | 70.0% | 5 | 10 | 50.0% |
2. Any total
For an unusual total (e.g. 67/80): 67 ÷ 80 × 100 = 83.75%. The method is identical — only the numbers change.
3. Bonus and curved points
- Bonus: if the test is graded out of, say, 55 possible with 5 bonus, and you scored 50, your % depends on the rubric — often 50 ÷ 50 (regular max) or 50 ÷ 55. Ask the instructor.
- Curve: a curve changes the possible or adds points; apply after the raw %.
4. Rounding at a cutoff
If a grade needs 85% and you have 84.999%, you are below 85 — do not round up. Keep the exact figure when a bar is involved.
5. Full quick table (totals 10–100)
| Score | /50 | /40 | /25 | /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 90.0 | — | — | — |
| 38 | 76.0 | 95.0 | — | — |
| 34 | 68.0 | 85.0 | — | — |
| 20 | 40.0 | 50.0 | 80.0 | 20.0 |
| 85 | — | — | — | 85.0 |
| 73 | — | — | — | 73.0 |
| 61 | — | — | — | 61.0 |
6. Scenario: a curved test
A test graded out of 55 possible (5 bonus), you score 50.
- By regular max: 50 ÷ 50 = 100%.
- By total possible: 50 ÷ 55 = 90.9%.
The curve rule decides which — ask the instructor before assuming 100%.
7. Scenario: two tests, one grade
If a unit counts two tests (20 + 30 pts) and you scored 17 + 26 = 43 of 50 → 86% for the unit. Sum first, don't average the separate %.
8. More worked scores
| Score | Total | % |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | 30 | 76.7 |
| 41 | 45 | 91.1 |
| 55 | 60 | 91.7 |
| 12 | 15 | 80.0 |
| 7 | 8 | 87.5 |
9. When the total is unusual
If your test is out of an odd total (e.g. 37), the formula is identical: 31/37 = 83.78% — don't round the total, only the final %. Some teachers report "points per question" instead of a grand total; sum the points you earned and the points each question was worth, then divide. The method never changes.
10. One test % is rarely the whole grade
A single score is one input; courses blend it with homework, quizzes and exams by weight (see grade-percentage-formula). This page just answers "what % is my raw score" — use the weighted pages to turn it into a course grade.
FAQ (quick lookup)
Q: I got 42 out of 50 — what's my %? 84%.
Q: 18 out of 20? 90%.
Q: 67 out of 80? 83.75%.
Q: 31 out of 37? 83.78%.
Q: 20 out of 25 — what %? 80%.
Q: 85 out of 100? 85%.
Q: What if the test had bonus points? Grade by the rubric's possible total.
Q: Is 83.75% an 84%? Only if the school rounds; at an 85% cutoff it's still below.
Q: What if my test was curved after grading? Apply the curve to the possible (or add points) after the raw %, per the rubric.
Q: Two tests count as one grade — how? Sum earned and possible across both, then divide.
Q: My teacher lists points per question — how? Sum the points you earned and the points each question was worth, then divide.
Sources: NCES & CBSE grading references; Khan Academy percentage basics.
Disclaimer: Bonus/curve handling is set by the instructor. Confirm on the official syllabus. This site is informational and not official.
Sources and references
- NCES & CBSE grading referenceshttps://nces.ed.gov/
- Khan Academy percentage basicshttps://www.khanacademy.org/math/pre-algebra/x31947de81e3f6453:percentages