2024–25 International Baccalaureate Policy

This chart lists the credit and course equivalency awarded for 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, A-level, CAPE, college credits).
All AP/IB/A-level/CAPE credits awarded are counted as divisional credits 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 IB credits can be used to meet the prerequisite for another course.
IB credits count toward the 32 or 34 credits required for a major only if the Notes column indicates “For major credit.”
IB 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 transcript received from International Baccalaureate. We accept only IBH scores (Higher Level Exam).

Credit and Course Equivalency for International Baccalaureate Exams
Exam Name	Minimum Score	Equivalent Course Credits Awarded	Notes
Anthropology	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
Visual Arts	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	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	IB-5	4 in Science Division	Not for major credit
Chemistry	IB-5	4 as CHM-129	For major credit.
Chinese	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Computer Science	IB-5	4 in Science Division	Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite.
Economics	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
Economics	IB-6 or 7	4 as ECN-111	Not for major credit.
English A: Literature	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
English A: Language/Literature	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
French Language	IB-5	4 as FRN-101	Not for major credit.
German Language	IB-5	4 as GRM-101	Not for major credit.
History - African	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
History - American	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
History - European	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
Japanese A: Language/Literature	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Mathematics - Applications & Interpretation	IB-5	4 as MAT-124 or 131	Not for major credit.
Mathematics - Analysis & Approaches	IB-5	4 as MAT-124 or 131	Not for major credit.
Music	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Philosophy	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Physics	IB-5	4 in Science Division	Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. Credit for Physics IB exam will be canceled if the student receives credit for AP Physics C-Mechanics, AP Physics 1, CAPE Physics I, A-Level Physics, or PHY-131.
Global Politics	IB-5	4 in Social Studies Division	For major credit.
Spanish B	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Spanish Language	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Spanish Literature	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Theatre	IB-5	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.

Revised August 2024 - Departmental policies regarding acceptance of credit are subject to change.

2024–25 Advanced Placement Policy

2024–25 British Advanced Level Policy

2024–25 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Policy