Advanced Placement exams

The University of California recognizes College Board Advanced Placement, or AP, examinations for college credit. Official AP exam scores of 3, 4 or 5 earn college credit. In some cases, AP exams may also satisfy lower-division course requirements. These units count toward the 180 quarter units required for a bachelor's degree.

See College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit under Credit Toward Degree to learn how many units you can earn for each AP exam and which UC lower-division courses may satisfy degree requirements. The guide also explains how each examination category applies toward degree requirements in each college.

In general, you cannot earn duplicate university credit for college courses or International Baccalaureate, or IB, transfer credit that overlaps with AP credit. Review the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Credit chart for exceptions.

If you earn AP credit, speak with an academic advisor in your major department, dean's office or the Biology Academic Success Center (BASC) before you register for classes. An advisor can help you understand how AP credit applies toward your degree and any restrictions related to breadth requirements or lower-division major requirements.

AP credit cannot replace coursework required to satisfy the UC Davis General Education Requirement.