So… you didn’t exactly crush that Organic Chemistry class. Maybe it was Bio. Or Stats.
Now you’re wondering: Should I retake it? Will it help my chances of getting into PA school? Or will it just tank my GPA even more?
Let’s break this down—step by step—with strategy and some real pre-PA talk.
First: How does CASPA handle retakes?
Let’s start here, because it’s the plot twist most people don’t expect.
Even if your college offers grade replacement, CASPA doesn’t. If you got a C in A&P and retake it for an A, CASPA doesn’t erase the C. They average both. So your GPA for that course becomes a B. Which means that your CASPA GPAs are typically lower than your transcript GPAs calculated by your university. Ouch.
But here’s where things get a little brighter: admissions committees look beyond GPA.
Many PA schools care about your upward trend, academic growth, and how you respond to challenges. So while that original C stays on your transcript and CASPA calculates it as part of your GPA, the A in your retake (or higher-level science course) can still work in your favor.
What’s considered a “competitive” GPA for PA school?
Here’s the breakdown:
- Competitive overall GPA: 3.5–3.6
- Minimum GPA: Usually 3.0 (but some programs go a bit lower or higher)
- Science GPA: Hugely important—aim for at least a 3.4+
Now, if you’re below that threshold, retaking a class might help—but only if it actually moves the needle.
Which leads us to…
Why did you struggle with the class in the first place?
This matters more than you think.
Ask yourself:
- Was it a life event? Family crisis, illness, mental health, burnout?
- Were you overloaded with too many credits and working 30+ hours a week?
- Or were you unmotivated, unprepared, or just not interested?
If you didn’t truly understand the material, that’s a legit reason to retake it—especially if it’s a foundational class like Microbiology or Anatomy.
But if you struggled due to outside distractions and know the material well now? A better use of your time might be to take a higher-level course and crush it.
Is the class too old to count?
Some PA programs have time limits on prerequisites—usually 5 to 10 years.
If you took A&P in 2012 and haven’t opened a textbook since… yeah, you may need to retake it, even if you got an A.
Always check your target schools’ websites (or email admissions) to make sure your prereqs are still valid.
Will retaking it actually help your GPA?
Let’s get real—if you’ve already got 100+ credit hours, retaking one class isn’t going to launch your GPA into the stratosphere.
Because again, CASPA averages both grades.
So if you retake a C and earn an A, it becomes a B. If your GPA is a 2.9 and you’re aiming for a 3.4, one retake won’t cut it.
In that case, consider a series of upper-level science courses (like Immunology, Biochem, Genetics) or a science based post-bacc program instead.
Should you retake it… or take something better?
Sometimes, a better move is to take an advanced course and show you can handle rigorous material now—even if you struggled before.
Here’s what that might look like:
- Got a C in Microbiology? Take Medical Micro or Infectious Disease.
- Bombed Anatomy? Try Pathophysiology or Advanced Human Physiology.
- Struggled with Gen Chem? Take Biochem and aim for an A.
Admissions committees love seeing growth. Show them you’ve leveled up—not just redone the past.
Your Retake Decision Checklist
Use this list as your gut check.
- Did you earn a C or lower in a prerequisite course?
- → Yes = Strong reason to retake.
- Was the course taken more than 5–10 years ago?
- → Yes = Might be expired. Retake likely required.
- Did you understand the content the first time?
- → No = Retake could help you and your app.
- Would retaking it significantly boost your GPA?
- → Yes = Go for it. Especially if you’re early in your academic career.
- Can you handle the retake now and realistically earn an A?
- → Yes = Solid move.
- → No = Risky. Might be better to build strength elsewhere.
Real Examples
Case 1: You got a C in A&P 1 five years ago and now want to apply to schools that require recent prereqs.
→ Retake it—and aim for that A!
Case 2: You got a B- in Organic Chem 2 last semester but your GPA is already a 3.6.
→ Skip the retake. Take Biochem or Genetics instead.
Case 3: You got a D in Microbio during a terrible semester, but now you’re thriving in science courses.
→ Retake it to show you’ve bounced back—and because most programs require at least a C in prereqs.
Final Takeaway
Retaking a class isn’t always necessary—but it can be a smart move if it fixes a low prerequisite grade, boosts your confidence, or shows a clear upward trend.
But remember: retakes aren’t the only path. Sometimes, taking new (and harder!) classes is a better way to prove you’re ready for PA school.
You’ve got this, future PA!