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.
| 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 SST-115 | For major credit for departments that require SST-115 except for Political Science. They require SST-115 to be taken at Grinnell. |
Revised August 2024 — Departmental policies regarding acceptance of credit are subject to change.
2024-25 British Advanced Level Policy