* More credits, less impact: If you've already accumulated a large number of credits, two Bs in a single semester will likely have a relatively small effect on your overall GPA. It might go up slightly, stay about the same, or go down very slightly.
* Fewer credits, more impact: If you have fewer total credits, the two Bs will have a more significant impact. It's less likely to go up in this scenario.
To know for sure, you need to do the following calculation:
1. Calculate your current grade points: Multiply your current GPA (2.96) by the number of credits you've already earned.
2. Calculate the grade points from the Bs: Assuming a B is worth 3.0 grade points (check your school's grading system as it might be slightly different, e.g., 3.33). Multiply 3.0 by the number of credits each B represents. Then, add those together.
3. Calculate your new total grade points: Add the grade points from step 1 and step 2.
4. Calculate your new total credits: Add the number of credits from your previous semesters and the number of credits from this semester's two B courses.
5. Calculate your new GPA: Divide your new total grade points (step 3) by your new total credits (step 4).
This will give you your new GPA. Only then can you definitively say whether it has gone up or down.