How many points do I need on this test for a target percentage?

Enter the test's total possible points, your target percentage, and the smallest point increment the test actually scores in. The result is rounded up to a real increment, not a fraction you cannot actually earn.

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How we calculated this

The raw points needed is your target percentage times the possible points; that raw number is rounded up to the nearest increment the test can actually score in, since a test cannot award a fraction of a point smaller than its own scoring unit. Using the example values above (50 possible points, 90% target, whole-point increments), you need at least 45 points, which happens to be exact.

Limitations

This assumes equal-value questions or a points total you already trust; it does not evaluate partial credit itself. If questions carry unequal values, see Unequal-Value Questions Target instead.

Common mistakes

A common error is leaving the increment at the default of 1 point when a test actually scores in larger units, such as 2 points per multiple-choice question; this can suggest a point total that does not correspond to any real combination of correct answers. Check your test's actual point structure before trusting the result to the exact point.

Frequently asked

Why would the increment ever be more than 1 point?: Some tests only score in increments of 2 or 5 points per question; entering that increment keeps the result realistic instead of suggesting a score that cannot exist.
What if I need a percentage, not a point count?: Use Test Percentage once you already have a points result to convert.
Why is the result rounded up instead of to the nearest increment?: Rounding to the nearest increment could round down and understate what you actually need; rounding up guarantees the result meets or exceeds your target percentage.
What if my target is 100%?: The result will equal the full possible points, since only a perfect score reaches a 100% target under ordinary scoring.

Next decision

Once you have a points target, see Points-Based Course Grade to see how it affects your overall course result.