Does anyone have advice or opinions regarding the difference between A201 and A205? I’ll be a sophomore next semester and I will apply for the 3/2 program. Thanks for your help!
Depends how confident you are you can get an A in A205. It’s curved so that 1/6 get an A, 1/6 get an A-, and so on. The material is considerably more difficult than A201 and accounting GPA is important. The only advantage I see from A205 is that you will be better prepared for A311 and A312.
According to the grade distribution database (http://gradedistribution.registrar.indiana.edu/index.php), you have a better chance of getting an A in A205 than in A201. But that is skewed by the fact that anyone can take A201 and only honors students can take A205. I asked my daughter about A201 vs A205 (she is an honors student but took A201) and her reply was mainly about the logistical differences and not the reputation of difficulty:
Scheduling differences: A201 meets M/W for 50 minute lectures and Th or F for 75 minute discussion; A205 meets twice a week for 75 minutes. honors class will be smaller and class will be curved. regular class probably won’t be curved, if so, only a little, and lectures are large classes with smaller discussions. basically the same content though but taught a little differently.
For context, I’m a honors accounting student who took A201, but has tutored A205 and A201 over multiple semesters. A205 covers the conceptual framework and leases, which are two topics that A201 doesn’t even touch. The A201 exams are multiple choice and follow the same pattern as sample exams that are given to students. A205 exams are open-ended and require a much better conceptual understanding of the material rather than the ‘plug-and-chug’ questions in A201. Just my opinion, but I think most students who manage a B or B+ in A205 would have coasted to an A in A201.