AP Credit-Granting Recommendations

The American Council on Education (ACE) and the College Board recommend that colleges and universities award credit for AP scores of 3 or higher on any AP Examination.

This recommendation is based upon ACE’s most recent review of the AP Program and on the recommendation of the Development Committee for each course and exam.

Founded in 1918, ACE is the nation's unifying voice for higher education. ACE serves as a consensus leader on key higher education issues and seeks to influence public policy through advocacy, research and program initiatives.

AP Examination Minimum Credit-Granting Score Number of Semester Hours Number of Semesters
2-D Art & Design 3 3 1
3-D Art & Design 3 3 1
African American Studies  3 3 1
Art History 3 6 2
Drawing 3 3 1
Biology 3 4 1
Calculus AB 3 4 1
Calculus BC 3 8 2
Chemistry 3 4 1
4 8 2
Chinese Language and Culture 3 8 2
4 12 4
5 16 5
Computer Science A 3 4 1
Computer Science Principles 3 3 1
English Language and Composition 3 6 2
English Literature and Composition 3 6 2
Environmental Science 3 3 1
European History 3 6 2
French Language and Culture 3 2
4 3
5 12 4
German Language and Culture 3 12 4
4 16 5
5 20 6
Comparative Government and Politics 3 3 1
United States Government and Politics 3 3 1
Human Geography 3 3 1
Italian Language and Culture 3 6 2
4 9 3
5 12 4
Japanese Language and Culture 3 8 2
4 12 4
5 16 5
Latin 3 6 2
4 9 3
5 12 4
Macroeconomics 3 3 1
Microeconomics 3 3 1
Music Theory 3 3 1
4 6 2
Physics 1 3 4 1
Physics 2 3 4 1
Physics C: Mechanics 3 4 1
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3 4 1
Precalculus 3 4 1
Psychology 3 3 1
Research 3 6 2
Seminar 3 6 2
Spanish Language and Culture 3 6 2
4 9 3
5 12 4
Spanish Literature and Culture 3 9 3
4 12 4
5 15 5
Statistics 3 3 1
United States History 3 6 2
World History: Modern 3 6 2