Let x = points that a student needs to score on a test p = points worth the exam. to find how many points to student needs to score on a test to get a test score of 78%. it will be given by x = 0.78 * p Thus, in a 50-point test, the number of points the student needs to get to get a test score of 78% will be x = 0.78 * 50 = 39 points.