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YOUR NURSING ROADMAP — JULY 6, 2026
Retaking Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology to raise your grade can be a smart move, but not for everyone. Here is what you should know before you do.
PREREQUISITES
Should You Retake a Science Prerequisite?
A lot of students reach out after meeting with a counselor and ask the same question:
"Should I retake Anatomy, Physiology, or Microbiology?"
The answer is...
Maybe.
Getting a higher grade can absolutely strengthen your application, but only if it actually benefits the nursing programs you're applying to.
This is where many students make a costly mistake.
A C is a passing grade, but because most California ADN programs use a point system, a higher science GPA can improve your overall application score.
The mistake is assuming every nursing program treats a repeated science course the same.
Before you register for a retake, check three things for each program on your list:
- Do they limit how many times you can retake a science course? Some programs only allow one science repeat before you're no longer eligible.
- Do they deduct points for repeated science courses? A better grade doesn't always mean a higher application score.
- Do withdrawals count as an attempt? At some schools, a W is treated the same as a completed attempt.
A science retake can help you at one program but make you ineligible for another. Research your programs before enrolling to give yourself the strongest chance of getting into the programs you actually want.
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