2012-13 Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Policy

This chart lists the credit and course equivalency awarded for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams taken prior to matriculation at Grinnell College. Conditions:

  •  First-year, first-time freshmen are limited to a maximum of 24 pre and post-matriculation credits (AP, IB, college credits).
  • All AP/IB credits awarded are counted as Divisional credit and are not subject to the 48 credit departmental limit.
  • AP/IB credits awarded count toward the 124 credits required for the degree.
  • Where an equivalent course is listed below, the AP/IB credits can be used to meet the prerequisite for another course.
  • AP/IB credits count toward the 32 or 34 credits required for a major only if NOTES column indicates "For major credit".
  • AP/IB scores and corresponding credit will be cancelled upon successful completion ("D" grade or better) of any equivalent Grinnell course as listed below.
  • Credit is awarded only from an official score report received directly from the College Board for Advanced Placement or an official transcript received from International Baccalaureate. We accept only IBH scores (Higher Level Exam).
  • Exam names apply to both AP and IB unless otherwise noted.
EXAM NAME MINIMUM SCORE EQUIVALENT COURSE CREDITS AWARDED NOTES
Art History AP-4 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
Art History AP-5 4 as Art-103 Not for major credit in Art History. For major credit in Studio Art.
Art Studio/Design AP-4,IB-5 4 in Humanities Div (see note) Not for major credit. The Art Department must review the portfolios of all students taking the exam. Credits are awarded only upon approval from the Art Department.
Biology AP-4,IB-5 4 in Science Div Not for major credit
Calculus AB AP-3 See Notes 4 credits will be granted pending initial placement in, and successful completion (C grade or better) of MAT 133. Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Major credit only if approved by Mathematics Department.
Calculus AB AP-4 4 as MAT-123,124, or 131 Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Major credit only if approved by Mathematics Department.
Calculus BC and IB AP-3,IB-5 4 as MAT-123,124,131 Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Major credit only if approved by Mathematics Department.
Calculus BC and IB Calculus AP-4,IB-6 4 as MAT-123,124,131 4 additional credits awarded, pending initial placement in, and successful completion (C grade or better) of MAT 215. Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Major credit only if approved by Mathematics Department.
Chemistry AP-4,IB-5 4 as CHM-129 For major credit.
Chinese AP-4,IB-5 4 as CHI-101 Not for major credit.
Computer Sci A or IB Exam AP-4, IB-5 4 in Science Div Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite.
Economics - Macro AP-4 4 as ECN-111 Not for major credit. Will receive 8 credits if both AP Macro and Micro awarded.
Economics - Micro AP-4 4 as ECN-111 Not for major credit. Will receive 8 credits if both AP Macro and Micro awarded.
Economics IB-5 4 as ECN-111 Not for major credit.
English Lang-Comp AP-4,IB-5 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
English Literature -Comp or IB English A1 AP-4,IB-5 4 in Humanities Div (see notes) Not for major credit.
Environmental Sci AP-4 4 in Interdivisional Not for concentration or major credit.
French Language AP-4,IB-5 4 as FRN-101 Not for major credit.
German Language AP-4,IB-5 4 as GRM-101 Not for major credit.
History - European AP-4,IB-5 4 in Social Stds Div Not for major credit.
History -U.S. AP-4,IB-5 4 in Social Stds Div Not for major credit.
Japanese AP-4 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
Latin Literature AP-4 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
Music Theory AP-4 4 in Humanities Div. Not for major credit.
Physics B AP-4 4 in Science Div Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. C exam credit replaces Physics B credits. Credit for Physics B exam will be cancelled if student receives credit for PHY-131 or PHY-132.
Physics C-Mechanics AP-4 4 as PHY-131 For major credit.
Physics IB IB-5 4 as PHY-131 For major credit.
Physics C-E & M AP-4 4 as PHY-132 For major credit.
PolySci-American AP-4 4 in Social Stds Div For major credit.
PolySci-Comparative AP-4 4 in Social Stds Div For major credit.
Psychology AP-4 4 as PSY-113 Not for major credit.
Spanish Language AP-4,IB-5 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
Spanish Literature AP-4,IB-5 4 in Humanities Div Not for major credit.
Statistics AP-4 4 as MAT-115 For major credit for departments that require MAT/SST-115 except for Political Science.  They require MAT/SST-115 to be taken at Grinnell.

Revised August, 2012 - Departmental policies regarding acceptance of credit are subject to change.