Can Test Scores Compensate for Low GPA?

<p>So my question is, can good SAT subject and AP Test scores make up for a bad grade in a particular subject? What if that bad grade was circumstantial (ie. family obligations caused you to miss school or you were ill)?</p>

<p>how can an illness only affect the grade of one particular subject?</p>

<p>How bad is this grade?</p>

<p>It can always help, but it doesn’t make a bad grade disappear. Doing well in a class and knowing the material for SAT/AP tests are two very different things and measure different skills.</p>

<p>I have been meaning to ask this question; thank you Pancaked for your answer. I was in a similar situation this year and I managed to bring most of my grades up except AP Biology because I lost participation points from a lot of labs. However, I did do well on the AP exam and subject test. Will this really negatively affect my admissions since I also plan to be a pre-med student?</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard, a solid GPA can make up for bad-ish test scores, but solid test scores can not make up for a bad-ish GPA. If I were you, explain your situation on the app, and hopefully the colleges will understand.</p>

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<p>Or ask whether your guidance counselor can address this issue in his or her letter.</p>

<p>A lot depends on how selective of schools you will be applying to. At the very most selective schools, you have to have both stellar grades and scores. As you move down in the selectivity level, high scores can help outweigh less-than-stellar but still good scores, especially if there is a very rigorous curriculum.</p>

<p>No. Ten Char</p>