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How to grade scores on a curve in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:RANK & statistical aggregatesExcel & Google Sheets
=MIN(A2+10,100)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Raw_Score | Curved |
| 72 | |
| 58 | |
| 91 |
=MIN(A2+10,100)→82
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Step by step
- 1Enter raw scores in column A (rows 2 onwards).
- 2Flat curve (add points): In B2 enter =MIN(A2+10,100) — adds 10 points to everyone and caps at 100.
- 3Scale to highest score: Use =A2/MAX($A$2:$A$20)*100 to make the top score 100% and scale everyone else proportionally.
- 4Square-root curve: Use =SQRT(A2/100)*100 to give a bigger boost to lower scores than to higher ones.
Tips
- Calculate the class average with =AVERAGE(A2:A20) before and after curving to verify the curve achieves your target mean — compare in a summary row.
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Frequently asked
Which curving method is fairest?
The scale-to-highest-score method is common for difficult tests since it rewards relative performance. The flat-point addition is simplest but can push scores above 100 without the MIN cap.
How do I curve scores to hit a specific target average?
Add the difference between target and actual average: =A2+(target_avg-AVERAGE($A$2:$A$20)). For a target of 75 and actual average of 62, add 13 points to each score.
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