What Grade Is 42 out of 50?
42 out of 50 is 84% — a B on the standard US scale, a good score.
- Percentage84%
- Letter gradeB
- Missed8 pts
- For an A (90%)45/50
Score breakdown for a 50-point test
| Score | Percent | Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 45/50 | 90% | A- |
| 40/50 | 80% | B- |
| 35/50 | 70% | C- |
| 42/50 | 84% | B |
How this is calculated
Divide the points earned by the points possible and multiply by 100: 42 ÷ 50 × 100 = 84%. On the common 10-point-band scale that lands in the B range — you'd have needed 45/50 to reach the A band.
Common questions
Is a 90 an A or an A-?
In plus/minus systems, 90–92 is typically an A- and 93+ is an A, which affects GPA (3.7 vs 4.0). In straight-letter systems, everything from 90 up is simply an A. This calculator shows the plus/minus convention because it's the most common — your syllabus decides which applies to you.
What's the difference between weighted and unweighted averages?
An unweighted average treats every score equally: add them up, divide by the count. A weighted average multiplies each category by its share of the grade first — homework 20%, midterms 40%, final 40% — which is how most courses actually work. If your syllabus lists category percentages, you need the weighted version.