How to Calculate Percentage of Marks?

“How to calculate percentage of marks” remains a common query among students seeking to pursue their higher education abroad. The calculation of percentage from marks, when the total marks are 100, can be done using the simple Percentage Formula, i.e. [(Total Obtained Marks/Total Possible Marks) x 100].

If you are an Indian student dreaming of studying at a top university abroad, then this guide is perfect for you! Just as your CGPA, a percentage is universally understood by universities worldwide. Hence, converting your marks into percentages is often a crucial step when applying to top global institutions in some of the best countries for higher education abroad, where different grading systems need to be translated clearly. You can also convert your percentage into CGPA if a specific requirement arises.

Calculating a percentage from marks can sometimes be a bit difficult for students, as there are many formulas and cases involved. One time, you have to calculate the percentage of marks when the total is 100, and the other time when the total marks are not 100. In such cases, knowing a few simpler and easier tricks that can help you carry out the calculations quickly can save you a lot of time. Hence, in this article, we have come up with different formulas to calculate the percentage of marks when the total marks vary. The common way to calculate the percentage of marks is: dividing the total obtained marks by the total possible marks and multiplying the result by 100. Here's the percentage calculation formula:

Percentage = (Obtained Marks ÷ Total Marks) × 100

Before we dive into the calculations, let's get comfortable with what percentages really mean, which will make converting your marks so much easier. By the end of this article, you will be able to calculate a percentage from marks in any situation, whether your exam was out of 100, 50, or any other total. We have included real examples relevant to Indian students applying abroad, plus special sections on percentage increase and decrease that you might need for scholarship requirements or comparing different academic standards.  

Related Reads:

• How to convert GPA into percentage? 
• Convert CGPA to Percentage
• How to Convert Percentage to GPA?

What is a Percentage?

The term “Percentage” was derived from the Latin word “Per Centum” which means “by parts of 100”. A percentage is used to express a number, rate, amount, etc., as a part of a “whole” entity, where the “whole” is usually taken as 100. Alternatively, a percentage can be explained as any number or ratio expressed as a part of 100. Thus, all calculations in determining the percentage from marks involve obtaining a denominator in the form of 100. 

What is the Percentage Formula? 

Percentage of marks can be calculated by dividing obtained marks by total marks and then multiplying fraction by 100. 

• Total Obtained Marks- marks that you receive in all subjects. To calculate this - add up all marks you receive in each subject.
• Total Marks or Total Possible Marks- These are maximum marks that can be scored in a subject. To calculate total possible marks across a semester or academic degree, - add up all maximum marks. 

Thus, percentage formula is-

Percentage = (25/50)x100 = 50%

Step-by-step Explanation of How to Calculate the Percentage of Marks

Use the following steps to calculate the percentage from marks:

• Step 1: Add all the marks obtained across subjects.
• Step 2: Add the maximum possible marks across these subjects.
• Step 3: Divide the total obtained marks by the total maximum marks.
• Step 4: Multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage.

Also Read: How to calculate percentage from SGPA?

Case-wise Percentage Calculation Examples

Now that we have learned the percentage formula, we will consider the different cases of calculating the percentages from marks. Let us learn how to find the percentage of marks in different scenarios below. 

Case 1. When the Total Marks are 100 

In case the scores are given out of a total of 100 marks, i.e. the division of obtained scores (actual value) by the total score (total value) makes a fraction out of 100, then the percentage is simply the numerator of the fraction.

Hence, the percentage of marks formula in this case will be: Percentage = actual value/total value = actual value/100 = (actual value)% 

For example, in a test, Rohan scored 74 marks out of 100, and Shilpa scored 95 marks out of 100. The fraction of scores obtained by Rohan and Shilpa is: 

Rohan = 74/100 

Shilpa = 95/100

Hence, the percentages of marks obtained by Rohan and Shilpa are 74% and 95%, respectively. 

Case 2. When the Total Marks are a Multiple of 100 

It may become difficult at times to calculate the percentage of marks when the total marks are not a hundred. The calculations involving the total marks as a multiple of 100 are useful in deriving the average percentage of marks of the student. In such cases, we just add the marks obtained in all the desired subjects, alongside adding their total marks separately. 

To calculate the percentage of marks when the total marks are a multiple of 100, we divide the numerator and denominator of the fraction of marks by an integer so that the denominator gets reduced to 100. Then, the numerator of the fraction gives the percentage of marks (as discussed in Case 1 above).

For example, Rohit secured a total of 540 marks out of 600 in an exam. Then the fraction of marks that Rohit secured is 540/600. Now, we divide both the numerator and the denominator by 6 to get 100 in the denominator. 

Rohit's Marks = (540 ÷ 6) / (600 ÷ 6) = 90/100 = 90%

Therefore, the percentage of marks secured by Rohit is 90%. 

Also Read:

• Calculate CGPA into Marks
• How to Convert GPA to Percentage for Studying Abroad

Case 3. When the Total Marks are a Factor of 100

Wondering how to calculate the percentage of marks when the total mark is a factor of 100? In a similar case as above, when the total marks are a factor of 100, multiply the whole fraction of marks by a number such that the denominator gets converted to 100, or the total marks become 100. 

For example, Sanjana receives 16 marks out of a total of 25 marks. Therefore, the fraction of marks obtained by Sanjana is 16/25. Now, to calculate the percentage of her marks (out of hundred), we have to multiply the whole fraction by such a number that the denominator becomes 100. 

Sanjana's Marks = (16/25)

Percentage of Sanjana's Marks = (16 x 4) / (25 x 4) = 64/100 = 64%

Hence, the percentage of marks received by Sanjana is 64%. 

How to Calculate Percentage From Marks: Summary

As we have learned all the cases of how to find the percentage of marks, we can summarise all three cases below.

Related Reads

• How to Calculate CGPA for Studying Abroad?
• How to convert 10 point CGPA to 4 point GPA?
• How to Calculate SGPA?

How to Calculate Percentage Change?

When a quantity or a value changes in terms of percentage over a period of time, the amount of change that occurred can be expressed by a percentage change. The formula to calculate a change in percentage is given below. 

Therefore, the increase and decrease in the percentage can be calculated as explained ahead.

How to Calculate an Increase in Percentage? 

A percentage increase is referred to as an increase in the percentage value of a given quantity over a period of time. The calculation of percentage increase can be useful when determining a change in percentage of large quantities over a period of time, such as the change in population or the change in bacterial growth over a period of time. 

The percentage increase formula is given below.

For example, consider that the total population of a town has increased from 1500 to 2500 people. Then, the calculation of the percentage increase in the total population of the town is shown in the image below:

Percentage Increase = (2500 - 1500) / 1500 x 100 = 66.66% (image representation given below)

So, the above calculation indicates the percentage increase in the population of the town is 66.66%.

Also Read: Indian Percentage to German GPA Calculator

How to Calculate a Decrease in Percentage? 

A percentage decrease is referred to as a decrease in the percentage value of a given quantity over a period of time. 

The percentage decrease formula is given in the image below.

For example, consider that the total number of students in a school has decreased from 750 to 550. The percentage decrease in the total number of students in that school can be calculated as given below. 

Percentage Decrease = (750 - 550) / 750 x 100 = 26.66% (image representation given below)

So, the above calculation indicates that the percentage decrease in the total number of students in the given school is 26.66%.

Also Read: Understanding International Grading for Students

How to Calculate Marks from Percentage?

We have provided the formula to calculate marks from percentage below in case the students need to verify their marks based on the percentage that they received in the examination. For using this formula to calculate the marks from a percentage, the students must be aware of the total marks.  

Marks = (Percentage of Marks/100)xTotal Marks (image representation given below)

For example - Rohan received 64% marks on his test - which was scored out of total of 25 marks. Thus, marks obtained by Rohan are-

Marks = (64/100)x25 =16 

Hence Rohan obtained 16 marks on his test. 

So, this was all about how to find the percentage of marks and how to calculate marks from percentage. In this blog, we also presented the calculation of percentage increase and decrease. Candidates looking for assistance with the university application process can get in touch with our Shiksha Counselling Services on the same. Candidates can write to us with their queries in the comments section below.