How the grade curve calculator works
Pick a curve method and the tool shows your adjusted grade. A flat add raises every score by a fixed number of points. Scaling to the top score lifts everyone so the highest score in the class becomes 100. A square root curve takes the square root of your score and multiplies by ten, which helps lower scores more than high ones.
The three common curves
Flat add is the simplest and most predictable: add the same points to everyone. Scaling to the top is generous when the highest score was well below 100. The square root curve is non linear, giving struggling students a bigger boost while barely changing scores already near the top, which is why instructors use it to soften a hard exam.
Reading the result
The tool caps curved grades at 100 and shows how many points you gained and your new letter. For the flat method, enter the points to add. For scaling, enter the class top score. For the square root curve, no value is needed. Try each to see which would help your situation most.
A note on curving
Curving is at your instructor discretion and policies vary widely, so this tool is for estimating and comparing methods, not predicting what your teacher will do. Some curves can in theory lower a very high score under certain schemes, but the common ones here only raise or hold grades.
Frequently asked questions
What is a square root curve? Your curved score is the square root of your raw score times ten, which boosts lower scores more.
How does scaling to the top work? Everyone gains the difference between 100 and the highest score in the class.
Will a curve ever lower my grade? The methods here only raise or keep your score; other schemes can differ.
Related calculators: Exam Score, Grade, Final Grade.