AP/IB/Transfer Credits

The University of Minnesota gives credit for AP test scores of 3 or higher in most areas. Please visit the Admissions AP website to see how your AP scores will transfer. NOTE: The Admissions AP website is for a specific admission year and may change each May. 

If you have recently taken AP tests but have not yet received your scores, you will still need to take the placement tests for math and chemistry to ensure proper placement. If you have AP test scores, download an unofficial** copy of the AP Score Report so your PSEO advisor can help you with accurate registration.

While AP scores may provide credit for certain courses, depending on your score, your advisor may recommend that you take the same class at the University of Minnesota due to the differences between high school and college courses. This is particularly true for AP Chemistry and AP Calculus scores.

Here are the guidelines PSEO advisors use when recommending courses:

Calculus AP AB (3) = Math 1271: Calculus I

Calculus AP AB (4 or 5) = Math 1272: Calculus II 

• • Prefer an AP score of a 5 given the intense rigor of this course; if you received a 4 and are hesitant to take Math 1272 Calculus II consider retaking Math 1271 Calculus 1. 

Calculus AP BC (4 or 5) = Math 2263: Multivariable or Math 2243: Linear Algebra/Differential Equations.

• • Prefer an AP score of a 5 given the intense rigor of this course; if you received a 4 and are hesitant to take either Math 2263 or 2243 consider retaking Math 1272 at the U.

Chemistry AP (3 ) = No credit will be awarded.

Chemistry AP (4) = Chem 1061/1065 Chemical Principles 1 (Gen Chem 1). To view all of your chemistry options, review our chemistry placement chart. 

Chemistry AP (5) =  Chem 1061/1065 Chemical Principles 1 (Gen Chem 1) and Chem 1062/1066 Chemical Principles 2 (Gen Chem 2)

• • Despite being granted this course credit, the Chemistry department recommends starting at Chem 1062/1066. The AP course does not prepare you for a college-level chemistry lab.

  • We do not permit students to go directly into Chem 2301: Organic Chemistry 1 with an AP Chemistry score of 5 during their first PSEO semester unless students have done one of the following:

    • Completed PSEO full-time during their junior year at another institution, including several math and science courses.

    • Completed 10 or more AP exams, including several in math and science, all with AP scores of 4 or 5.

  • Students are more successful in Chem 2301 if they take a college-level chemistry course prior to taking Chem 2301 at the U of M or take one semester of any coursework at the U of M before taking Chem 2301.

English Language and Composition or Literature and Composition AP (both require a 4 or 5) 

• • Students receive credit for Writ 1301 (University or Freshman Writing). If you plan to continue at the U of M, do not take Writ 1301 if you have passed either of these AP exams.

Statistics (4, 5)

• • Students receive credit for Stat 1001.

**The unofficial AP score report is used by your PSEO advisor as an advising tool. If you decide to attend the U of M after high school graduation, you WILL need to pay for an official AP score report to transfer the credits to the U of M. We don't ask you to do that now since many of you are not sure where you'll be attending college. 

The University of Minnesota only gives credit for higher-level IB exam scores. Visit the Admissions IB website to see how those scores might transfer. 

If you have not taken any higher-level IB exams, you will not receive credit for those courses at the U of M.

Transferology is a great tool to see how credits from other colleges/universities transfer. You can log in as a guest and access transfer course information from across Minnesota. 

• • The Office of Admissions created a user guide to help students get started.

  • The PSEO office used Transferology to create a guide to the most common courses taken by our students from other institutions. 

If you have questions about your transfer courses, contact the Office of Admissions at 612-625-2008 or ask your PSEO advisor at your registration appointment.