<p>This situation sort of applies to me:</p>
<p>If you have a B or two in a certain subject (example: Chemistry) during your freshman/sophomore years, and then make A's in that same subject, except at a higher level (AP Chem), how will this be viewed? The grade from the lower level class will still affect the cumulative GPA, but will adcoms still take into account that the student's skills in that subject improved?</p>
<p>Bumping Up My Post</p>
<p>...no one? Really?
=(</p>
<p>Okay, if I understand correctly, you're describing a scenario where a student got a B in Chem, next year they got an A in Chem, and the following year they got a B in AP Chem?</p>
<p>I'd say APs always look better. I've heard some admissions people say "We've been asked whether we prefer As in regular classes or Bs in AP classes. You should be getting As in all of your classes." Which really doesn't answer the question, fact is that Bs in AP classes really are better than As in non-AP classes. For one they probably weigh in the same, and they also basically indicate that you at least took the time to challenge yourself. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>no they mean that the student got a B in chem, and then the next year, in AP chem, they got an A</p>
<p>of course this will show you improved. But of course it could also mean your teacher inflated your grades or your teacher was easier the second year. I'm not saying thats what happened to you, but lots of schools inflate their seniors grades to get them into college. </p>
<p>Colleges are aware of this, and therefore they don't place too much emphasis on such scenarios. its better than if you had got a B the second year as well, but i doubt it will do more than help your GPA.</p>
<p>^ Ahh. Thanks. =)</p>
<p>
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But of course it could also mean your teacher inflated your grades or your teacher was easier the second year.
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</p>
<p>^ Sorry to add on to this thread, but say the person got an 800 on the Chemistry subject test or a 5 on the AP Chem test? What would happen then?</p>
<p>It is positive that you have an upward trend. The fact you got a B in 10th grade could be - 1) you didn't study as hard, 2) your teacher did not teach the subject as well, 3) hard grader...The fact you got a A in AP chem could be - 1) you were more focused now, 2) better teacher, 3) easy grader. But if you could get a 5 on the AP chem it would definitely validate your AP Chem grade.</p>
<p>Many high schoolers do not start taking school seriously until 10-11th grade, especially for some late bloomers (boys). I think many adcoms understand that. If you could show a steady upward trend with standarized tests to substantiate your grades, then it's definitely positive. The worst thing is to show decline of grades, especially the fall of senior year.</p>