14 out of 20 is 70%, which is a C− on the standard US scale. Each question is worth 5 percentage points, so 12 correct (60%) is the lowest passing score and 11 correct (55%) is an F.
14 out of 20 in percentage and letter grade
Fourteen correct out of twenty is 70%. On the standard US scale that is a C−, because the C− band runs from 70% to 72%.
It is an important score because it sits well above the pass line. The lowest passing grade in most US schools is 60%, so a 70% leaves real room for error.
| Correct | Percentage | Letter grade | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 100% | A | Top score |
| 18 | 90% | A− | Strong |
| 17 | 85% | B | Strong |
| 16 | 80% | B− | Solid |
| 15 | 75% | C | Average |
| 14 | 70% | C− | Average |
| 13 | 65% | D | Weak pass |
| 12 | 60% | D− | Lowest pass |
| 11 | 55% | F | Fail |
The pass line on a 20-question test
Twelve correct is exactly 60%, which is the lowest passing score on the standard scale. That means you can miss up to 8 questions and still pass.
Drop one more question, to 11 correct, and the score falls to 55%, an F. That single question is the entire difference between passing and failing, which is what makes short tests feel harsh.
Why 70% feels worse than it is
A C− can look like a warning sign, but the numbers say otherwise. In a 20-question test you answered 7 out of every 10 questions correctly, and you are two questions away from a B.
If the teacher curves the test or offers extra credit, a 70% is the score most likely to move. Check the syllabus for the curve policy, then use the grade calculator to see what the next paper needs to bring the average back up.
Look up another score
The score out of X converter turns any result into a percentage and letter grade. For the complete wrong-answer chart at this length, see the grading scale for 20 questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 14 out of 20 as a percentage?+
14 out of 20 is 70%. Divide 14 by 20 to get 0.7, then multiply by 100.
Is 70% a passing grade?+
Yes. On the standard US scale 60% (a D−) is the lowest pass, so a 70% is a comfortable C− at many schools, although some colleges require a C (73%) for a course to count toward a major.
What is 12 out of 20?+
12 out of 20 is 60%, a D− and the lowest passing score on the standard scale.
How many can I miss on a 20-question test?+
You can miss up to 8 questions (12 correct) and still pass. Missing 9 drops the score to an F.
Muhammd Salman
I build and maintain Grade Calculator independently. Every worked example on this site is checked against the underlying formula, with notes on where school or instructor policy can change the result. More about this site →