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).
| 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: |
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