What’s Better – An “A” in a regular class or a “B” in an AP class?
Grades vs. Rigor - What Should I Focus On?
This is one of the most common questions I get from students and parents. It usually comes up when a student is deciding whether to take on the challenge of an AP or honors course, or stick with a regular version and aim for that perfect A.
Here’s the short answer: It depends on your goals, your bandwidth, and how that course fits into your overall academic picture. But let’s break it down a bit.
Colleges do notice rigor.
When admissions officers read your transcript, they’re looking for signs that you challenged yourself in the context of what your school offers. If your school has AP, IB, or honors options and you’ve taken advantage of them—especially in subjects related to your academic interests—that’s a plus. A “B” in a rigorous course often signals to colleges that you’re not afraid of hard work or complex material.
That said…
Grades still matter.
If a student is taking so many advanced classes that they’re constantly overwhelmed, not sleeping, or seeing a slide in overall performance, that’s a red flag. A transcript full of Bs (or worse) in advanced courses can look like overreaching rather than striving. An “A” in a regular class shows mastery, consistency, and sometimes, maturity in choosing a course that aligns with what a student can realistically manage.
So which one is “better”?
In a vacuum, a “B” in an AP class is not automatically better or worse than an “A” in a regular one. What matters most is the overall pattern of your academic choices:
Have you challenged yourself over time?
Are you maintaining strong grades in the areas that matter most for your intended major?
Does your transcript reflect growth, balance, and resilience?
A few general guidelines:
STEM majors: If you’re aiming for engineering or pre-med, a B in AP Calc or AP Bio is usually better than an easy A in the regular version.
Humanities majors: Taking AP Lang, Lit, or History classes shows colleges you can write and think critically—even if you don’t get an A every time.
If you’re unsure: Try to challenge yourself in a few areas where you’re strongest or most curious. You don’t need to take every AP class your school offers, and you definitely don’t need to do it all in one year.
Bottom line:
Colleges want to see that you’re learning, not just playing it safe or collecting trophies. They appreciate students who make thoughtful, balanced decisions that reflect who they are—not who they think colleges want them to be.
So if you’re deciding between a harder class or an easier A, ask yourself: What will I learn here? Will I grow? Can I manage this with everything else on my plate? That’s usually the better question—and the better guide.
Every student’s path is different, and what works for your best friend might not be the right move for you. I offer free 30-minute consultations to help students and families make smart, personalized course planning decisions.
We’ll look at:
- Your goals
- Your strengths
- The big picture colleges actually care about
Because picking classes shouldn’t be a guessing game. Let's make a plan that fits you.
