Education
Remaining Scores Average Needed With Drop Calculator
Use this calculator when several equal-weight scores remain and your teacher drops the lowest score. It solves the planning average needed across the remaining scores after the drop rule is applied.
Enter current equal-weight percentage scores. Use 84 for 84%, separated by commas, spaces, or new lines.
Enter the final average you want after the remaining scores are counted and the lowest scores are dropped.
How many more equal-weight scores will be added to the same score list.
Use the number of lowest equal-weight scores your teacher drops from the final list.
Use 100 for normal full-credit scores, or a higher value if extra credit or curves are possible.
Average needed
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- Remaining average needed
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- Current after drop
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- Best possible average
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What this dropped-lowest remaining-score target solves
This calculator works backward from a target average when multiple equal-weight scores are still coming and the class drops the lowest score or scores. It finds the steady remaining-score average that reaches the target after the final score list is sorted and the drop rule is reapplied.
Formula
How to use it
- Enter the current equal-weight scores in one grade list.
- Enter the target average you want after the remaining scores are included.
- Enter how many equal-weight scores are still left.
- Enter how many lowest scores your teacher drops.
- Keep the maximum remaining average at 100 unless extra credit or curved scores are possible.
How to read the answer
The average needed is the steady average to aim for across the remaining equal-weight scores. Because dropped-lowest policies depend on individual scores, an uneven set of future scores with the same average can drop a different score.
When to use another grade tool
Use the regular remaining scores average needed calculator when no score is dropped. Use the score needed with dropped lowest calculator when only one future score remains, and use the weighted grade calculator when categories have separate course weights.
Common mistakes and edge cases
- Do not use this if the remaining work has different point values unless your teacher averages their percentages equally.
- A future score can be one of the scores dropped if it is low enough.
- The same future-score average can produce a different result if one score is much lower than the rest.
- Scores above 100% usually mean extra credit or a curved grading policy.
Worked examples
Reach a target after three remaining scores
Five current scores need about a 90.67% average across three remaining scores to reach a 90% final average after dropping the lowest score.
Average needed
90.67%
Already safe under the drop policy
A low target can already be safe when the drop policy removes one of the future low scores.
Average needed
0%
Unreachable with normal scores
A high target may be unreachable even with 100% averages on the remaining work.
Average needed
>100%
Invalid drop count
The number of dropped scores must be smaller than the current score list.
Average needed
Error
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the average I need when the lowest score is dropped?+
Add the remaining scores to the current list, drop the lowest score or scores, and solve for the remaining-score average that makes the kept-score average reach your target.
Is this different from the regular remaining scores average needed calculator?+
Yes. The regular calculator counts every score. This calculator reapplies a dropped-lowest policy after the remaining scores are added.
Can one of the remaining scores be dropped?+
Yes. If a remaining score is among the lowest scores in the final list, it can be removed by the drop policy.
Does every remaining score need to equal this number?+
No. It is a planning average, but with a dropped-lowest policy the spread matters. A very low future score may be dropped while higher future scores count.
Can I use this for weighted grades?+
Only if these scores are averaged equally inside one category. Use the weighted grade calculator when categories have separate course weights.
Related calculators
Remaining Scores Average Needed Calculator
Find the average you need across several remaining equal-weight quiz, test, homework, or assignment scores to reach a target grade average.
Average After Remaining Scores With Drop Calculator
Project your final grade average after adding several known remaining scores and then dropping the lowest equal-weight scores.
Score Needed With Dropped Lowest Calculator
Find the next score needed to reach a target average when your class drops the lowest equal-weight score.
Grade Drop Calculator
Calculate a grade average after dropping the lowest quiz, test, homework, or assignment scores.
Weighted Grade Calculator
Calculate a weighted course grade from category scores and weights, or find the score needed on remaining weighted work.
Grade Calculator
Calculate a class grade from points earned, points possible, extra credit, and a target percentage.
Last updated: May 17, 2026