Advanced Placement Test Credit
The University grants credit for all College Board Advanced Placement Tests on which a student scores 3 or higher. The credit may be used to meet subject requirements, as graduation credit or as credit toward general education or breadth requirements, as determined by evaluators at each campus. Students should be encouraged to take AP tests when appropriate. Counselors should advise students that the College Board reports all AP test results to the University. Students may not choose which test scores they wish reported. However, AP test scores lower than 3 will not adversely affect a student’s chances for admission.
Units granted for AP tests are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for formal declaration of a major or the maximum number of units a student may accumulate prior to graduation from the University. Students who enter the University with AP credit do not have to declare a major earlier than other students, nor are they required to graduate earlier.
College courses taken prior to or after enrolling at the University may duplicate the content of AP examinations. In these cases, the University may not award credit for both the course and the AP exam.
The University grants credit for AP tests as described below. Credit is expressed in quarter units. For Berkeley and Merced, divide total quarter units by 1.5 to convert to semester units. Even if subject credit or credit toward specific requirements is not mentioned in the campus lists, students receive University credit as described above for all AP tests on which they score 3 or higher. The unit maximums noted for subjects with more than one examination apply in all schools and colleges at all campuses.
Space does not permit discussion of how AP credit is granted for each program. The campus admissions offices can advise counselors and students about these issues.
AP Test Credit
Art, Studio |
Drawing Portfolio: 8
2-D Design Portfolio: 8
3-D Design Portfolio: 8
(8-unit maximum for all three tests) |
Art, History of |
8 |
Biology |
8 |
Chemistry |
8 |
Computer Science |
Computer Science A: 2
Computer Science AB: 4
(4-unit maximum for both tests) |
Economics |
Microeconomics: 4 Macroeconomics: 4 |
English |
Language and Composition: 8
Literature and Composition: 8
(8-unit maximum for both tests) |
Environmental Science
|
4 |
Government and Politics |
United States: 4
Comparative: 4 |
History |
United States History: 8 European History: 8 World History: 8 |
Human Geography |
4 |
Language Other than English |
Chinese Language and Culture: 8
French Language: 8
French Literature: 8
German Language: 8
Italian Language and Culture: 8
Japanese Language and Culture: 8
Spanish Language: 8
Spanish Literature: 8
(German Literature no longer offered)
|
Latin |
Latin Literature: 4
Vergil: 4 |
Mathematics |
Calculus AB: 4 Calculus BC: 8
(8-unit maximum for both tests) |
Music Theory
|
8
(Listening and Literature no longer offered) |
Physics |
Physics B: 8
Physics C Mechanics: 4
Physics C Electricity and Magnetism: 4
(8-unit maximum for all three tests) |
Psychology |
4 |
Statistics |
4 |
Note About AB Subscore on Calculus BC Examination: Students who take the Calculus BC examination and earn a subscore of 3 or higher on the Calculus AB portion will receive credit for the Calculus AB examination, even if they do not receive a score of 3 or higher on the BC examination.
Note About Music Theory Subscore: The University grants credit for the full Music Theory exam. Students who earn only a subscore will not receive exam credit.
At All Campuses
A maximum of 8 quarter units are allowed in each of the following areas: Art (Studio), English, Mathematics, Music and Physics. A maximum of 4 quarter units are allowed in Computer Science.
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