Is it better to earn a B in an AP course or an A in a regular course?
When comparing two classes in the same subject, such as an A in regular Biology versus a B in AP Biology, the answer is clear: the A in regular Biology is better. GPA remains the primary factor in college admissions. Don't be misled by weighted GPAs. Weighted GPAs exist for high schools to artificially inflate their statistics to attract parents to enroll their students. Colleges will recalculate your GPA according to their own formulas.
In the past, when a B was considered a difficult grade to earn, a B in AP Biology might have been more impressive than an A in regular Biology. However, due to grade inflation, a B today is comparable to an associate's degree – it carries little weight because of how common it has become. Given how little effort many schools perceive is required to earn As nowadays, most selective institutions expect students to have straight As. Therefore, receiving a B in AP Biology, or any class, signals to colleges that something went significantly wrong in that course. This wasn't always the case, but now that As are handed out like free candy, Bs appear far worse than they used to.
In terms of practical advice, if you're aiming for elite colleges, you should avoid putting yourself in situations that will result in grades of A- or below. This doesn't mean avoiding AP classes. Earning straight As in the most challenging courses you can reasonably handle is essential for elite admissions. We recommend that you take as many AP classes as possible. If you anticipate struggling with a particular class, hire a tutor, obtain supplementary textbooks, learn to leverage online resources (including AI when appropriate), and prepare thoroughly. As stated in our previous blog post, there is no substitute for GPA and course rigor. They form the foundation of your college applications, upon which extracurriculars build.
If you need assistance selecting classes or have concerns about taking a particular course, schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our admissions experts today.
