2024–25 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination Policy

This chart lists the credit and course equivalency awarded for CAPE 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 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 CAPE credits can be used to meet the prerequisite for another course.
CAPE credits count toward the 32 or 34 credits required for a major only if the Notes column indicates “For major.”
CAPE 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 CAPE certificate.

Credit and Course Equivalency for CAPE Exams
Exam Name	Minimum Score	Equivalent Course Credits Awarded	Notes
Art and Design	CAPE - II	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.
Chemistry	CAPE - II	4 as CHM-129	For major credit.
Economics	CAPE - II	4 as ECN-111	Not for major credit.
English - Literature	CAPE - II	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.
Environmental Studies	CAPE - II	4 in Interdisciplinary Division	Not for major or concentration credit.
French Language	CAPE - II	4 as FRN-101	Not for major credit.
History	CAPE - II	4 in Social Studies Division	Not for major credit.
Mathematics - Integrated	CAPE - II	4 as MAT-124 or 131	Not for major credit.
Mathematics - Pure	CAPE - II	4 as MAT-124 or 131	Not for major credit.
Physics I	CAPE - II	4 in Science Division	Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. Credit for CAPE Physics I exam will be cancelled if student receives credit for AP Physics C - Mechanical, AP Physics I, IB Physics, A-Level Physics or PHY-131.
Physics II	CAPE - II	4 in Science Division	Not for major credit. Does not satisfy any prerequisite. Credit for CAPE Physics II exam will be cancelled if student receives credit for AP Physics C- E & M, AP Physics 2 or PHY-132.
Sociology	CAPE - II	4 as SOC-111	For major credit.
Spanish	CAPE - II	4 in Humanities Division	Not for major credit.

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