2023–24 Advanced Placement Policy

This chart lists the credit and course equivalency awarded for advanced placement (AP) exams taken prior to matriculation at Grinnell College.

Conditions:

  • First-time first-year students are limited to a maximum of 24 pre- and post-matriculation credits (AP, IB, A-level, CAPE, college credits).
  • All AP/IB/A-level/CAPE credits awarded are counted as divisional credit and are not subject to the 48 credit departmental limit.
  • AP/IB/A-level/CAPE credits awarded count toward the 124 credits required for the degree.
  • Where an equivalent course is listed below, the AP credits can be used to meet the prerequisite for another course.
  • AP credits count toward the 32 or 34 credits required for a major only if the Notes column indicates “For major credit.”
  • AP scores and corresponding credit will be canceled 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.
  • Exam names apply to both AP and IB unless otherwise noted.
Credit and Course Equivalency for Advanced Placement Exams
Exam Name Minimum Score Equivalent Course Credits Awarded Notes
African American Studies AP-4 4 in Interdisciplinary Division Not for major or concentration credit. Will accept if taken fall 2022 or after.
Art History AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Art Studio/Design AP-4 4 in Humanities Division (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 4 in Science Division Not for major credit
Calculus AB AP-4 4 as MAT-124 or 131 Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Not for major credit.
Calculus BC AP-3 4 as MAT-124 or 131 Students may not receive credit for both AB and BC exams. Not for major credit.
Chemistry AP-4 4 as CHM-129 For major credit.
Chinese AP-4 4 as CHI-101 Not for major credit.
Computer Science A AP-4 4 in Science Division Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite.
Computer Science Principles AP-4 4 in Science Division Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite.
Economics - Macro AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit. Will receive 8 credits if both AP Macro and Micro awarded.
Economics - Micro AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit. Will receive 8 credits if both AP Macro and Micro awarded.
Economics - Macro & Micro AP-4 4 as ECN-111 Not for major credit. Will receive 8 credits if both AP Macro and Micro awarded.
English Lang-Comp AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
English Literature -Comp AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Environmental Science AP-4 4 in Interdisciplinary Division Not for concentration or major credit.
French Language AP-4 4 as FRN-101 Not for major credit.
German Language AP-4 4 as GRM-101 Not for major credit.
Government & Politics - U.S. AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division For major credit.
Government & Politics - Comparative AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division For major credit.
History - European AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit.
History - U.S. AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit.
History - World AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit.
Human Geography AP-4 4 in Social Studies Division Not for major credit.
Japanese AP-4 4 as JPN-101 Not for major credit.
Latin Literature AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Music Theory AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Physics 1 AP-4 4 in Science Division Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. Credit for Physics 1 exam will be canceled if the student receives credit for AP Physics C-Mechanics, IB Physics, A-Level Physics, CAPE Physics 1, or PHY-131.
Physics 2 AP-4 4 in Science Division Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. Credit for Physics 2 exam will be canceled if the student receives credit for AP Physics-E & M, CAPE Physics II, or PHY-132.
Physics C-Mechanics AP-4 4 as PHY-131 For major credit.
Physics C-E & M AP-4 4 as PHY-132 For major credit.
Psychology AP-4 4 as PSY-113 Not for major credit.
Spanish Language AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Spanish Literature AP-4 4 in Humanities Division Not for major credit.
Statistics AP-4 4 as MAT/SST-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 July 2023 — Departmental policies regarding acceptance of credit are subject to change.

2023-24 Cambridge Advanced Level Policy

2023-24 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Policy

2023-24 International Baccalaureate Policy

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