<p>My grades aren't exactly stellar. I'm trying really hard but only getting a Bs or Cs. I think I can do much better in the SAT. Will getting a high score make up for my grades? And, I'm taking the IGCSEs, so will getting high grades in those make up for the low grades on my report cards?</p>
<p>In a word, no.</p>
<p>In general, not really. But don’t be discouraged, it won’t hurt. What the presumed psychology is, is that you didn’t try in school and only tried for the SAT. But again, show that you worked your ass off in school, gave it your all in both your grades and SAT. That will matter. What they’re looking for are not people who got grades because they only took easy courses and had As handed to them. They like effort, and especially if your courses are borderline impossible, they will tolerate sub-A grades. Just don’t worry about the impact of your test scores on the impression of your grades and do your best.</p>