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External Exam Credit

Students may earn general education or lower-division major credits by taking a CSU-accepted external examination in place of a course. The CSU faculties have determined the passing scores, minimum units of credit earned, and certification area (for General Education Breadth and/or U.S. History, Constitution, and American Ideals) of standardized external examinations, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Colleg​e-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Each campus in the California State University system determines how it will apply credits earned by external examinations toward the degree major. Contact a campus admissions office for more information.​

Disclaimer: All information provided here is for academic year 2025-2026. Information is current as of July 2025 and subject to change without prior notice. Please visit the CSU campus websites or contact a specific campus for up-to-date information.


Exam Type



Exam Name

American Institutions and/or GE Breadth Area



Academic Year

 

Reset Filters
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Title
  
Passing Score
  
Minimum Semester Credits Earned for Admission
  
Semester Credits Toward GE Breadth Certification
  
American Institutions and/or GE Breadth Area
  
Removal Date for GE Breadth
  
Effective Date
  
AP 2-D Art and Design
3
3
0
n/a8/10/2020
AP 3-D Art and Design
3
3
0
n/a8/10/2020
AP African American Studies
3
3
0
n/a8/4/2025
AP Art History
3
6
3
C1 or C2-12/18/2008
AP Art History
3
6
3
C1Fall 20098/12/2008
AP Art History
3
6
3
3A or 3B-8/4/2025
AP Art History
3
6
3
3AFall 20098/4/2025
AP Biology
3
6
4
B2+B3-8/12/2008
AP Biology
3
6
4
5B+5C-8/4/2025
AP Calculus AB
3
3
3
B4-8/12/2008
AP Calculus AB
3
3
3
2-8/4/2025
AP Calculus BC
3
6
3
B4-8/12/2008
AP Calculus BC
3
6
3
2-8/4/2025
AP Calculus BC/AB Subscore
3
3
3
B4-5/10/2010
AP Calculus BC/AB Subscore
3
3
3
2-8/4/2025
AP Chemistry
3
6
4
B1+B3-8/12/2008
AP Chemistry
3
6
6
B1+B3Fall 20098/12/2008
AP Chemistry
3
6
4
5A+5C-8/4/2025
AP Chemistry
3
6
6
5A+5CFall 20098/4/2025
AP Chinese Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-8/12/2008
AP Chinese Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Comparative Government & Politics
3
3
3
D8-8/12/2008
AP Comparative Government & Politics
3
3
3
4-8/4/2025
AP Computer Science A
3
3
0
n/a-8/12/2008
AP Computer Science A
3
3
0
n/a-8/12/2008
AP Computer Science AB
3
6
0
n/a-8/12/2008
AP Computer Science AB
3
6
0
n/a-8/12/2008
AP Computer Science Principles
3
6
3
B4-8/2019
AP Computer Science Principles
3
6
0
n/aFall 20194/21/2017
AP Computer Science Principles
3
6
3
2-8/4/2025
AP Computer Science Principles
3
6
0
n/aFall 20194/21/2017
AP Drawing
3
3
0
n/a8/10/2020
AP English Language
3
6
3
A2-8/12/2008
AP English Language
3
6
3
1A-8/4/2025
AP English Language and Composition
3
6
3
A2-1/30/2015
AP English Language and Composition
3
6
3
1A-8/4/2025
AP English Literature
3
6
6
A2+C2-8/12/2008
AP English Literature
3
6
6
1A+3B-8/4/2025
AP English Literature and Composition
3
6
6
A2+C2-1/30/2015
AP English Literature and Composition
3
6
6
1A+3B-8/4/2025
AP Environmental Science
3
4
4
B1+B312/18/2008
AP Environmental Science
3
4
4
B1+B3, B2+B3Fall 20098/12/2008
AP Environmental Science
3
4
4
5A+5C8/4/2025
AP Environmental Science
3
4
4
5A+5C or 5B+5CFall 20098/4/2025
AP European History
3
6
3
C2 or D6-5/10/2010
AP European History
3
6
3
D6Spring 20098/12/2008
AP European History
3
6
3
3B or 4-8/4/2025
AP European History
3
6
3
4Spring 20098/4/2025
AP French Language
3
6
3
C2Fall 20118/12/2008
AP French Language
3
6
6
C2Fall 20098/12/2008
AP French Language
3
6
3
3BFall 20118/4/2025
AP French Language
3
6
6
3BFall 20098/4/2025
AP French Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-1/30/2015
AP French Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP German Language
3
6
3
C2Fall 20118/12/2008
AP German Language
3
6
6
C2Fall 20098/12/2008
AP German Language
3
6
3
3BFall 20118/4/2025
AP German Language
3
6
6
3BFall 20098/4/2025
AP German Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-1/30/2015
AP German Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Human Geography
3
3
3
D5-8/12/2008
AP Human Geography
3
3
3
4-8/4/2025
AP Italian Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-8/12/2008
AP Italian Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Japanese Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-8/12/2008
AP Japanese Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Latin
3
6
3
C21/30/2015
AP Latin
3
6
3
3B8/4/2025
AP Latin Literature
3
6
3
C2Fall 20098/12/2008
AP Latin Literature
3
6
3
3BFall 20098/4/2025
AP Latin: Virgil
3
3
3
C2Fall 20128/12/2008
AP Latin: Virgil
3
3
3
3BFall 20128/4/2025
AP Macroeconomics
3
3
3
D2-8/12/2008
AP Macroeconomics
3
3
3
4-8/4/2025
AP Microeconomics
3
3
3
D2-8/12/2008
AP Microeconomics
3
3
3
4-8/4/2025
AP Music Theory
3
6
3
C1Fall 20098/12/2008
AP Music Theory
3
6
3
3AFall 20098/4/2025
AP Physics 1
3
4
4
B1+B3-4/1/2014
AP Physics 1
3
4
4
5A+5C-8/4/2025
AP Physics 1: Algebra-based
3
4
4
5A+5C8/4/2025
AP Physics 2
3
4
4
B1+B3-4/1/2014
AP Physics 2
3
4
4
5A+5C-8/4/2025
AP Physics 2: Algebra-based
3
4
4
5A+5C8/4/2025
AP Physics B
3
6
4
B1+B3Fall 20158/12/2008
AP Physics B
3
6
6
B1+B3Fall 20095/10/2010
AP Physics B
3
6
4
5A+5CFall 20158/4/2025
AP Physics B
3
6
6
5A+5CFall 20098/4/2025
AP Physics C (electricity/magnetism)
3
4
4
B1+B3-8/12/2008
AP Physics C (mechanics)
3
4
4
B1+B3-8/12/2008
AP Physics C: electricity/magnetism8
3
4
4
5A+5C-8/4/2025
AP Physics C: mechanics8
3
4
4
5A+5C-8/4/2025
AP Precalculus
3
3
3
B43/17/2023
AP PreCalculus
3
3
3
28/4/2025
AP Psychology
3
3
3
D9-8/12/2008
AP Psychology
3
3
3
4-8/4/2025
AP Seminar
3
3
0
n/a-1/30/2015
AP Seminar
3
3
0
n/a-1/30/2015
AP Spanish Language
3
6
3
C2-8/12/2008
AP Spanish Language
3
6
6
C2Spring 20145/10/2010
AP Spanish Language
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Spanish Language
3
6
6
3BSpring 20148/4/2025
AP Spanish Language and Culture
3
6
3
C2-1/30/2015
AP Spanish Language and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Spanish Literature
3
6
3
C2-8/12/2008
AP Spanish Literature
3
6
6
C2Spring 20145/10/2010
AP Spanish Literature
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Spanish Literature
3
6
6
3BSpring 20138/4/2025
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
3
6
3
C2-1/30/2015
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
3
6
3
3B-8/4/2025
AP Statistics
3
3
3
B4-8/12/2008
AP Statistics
3
3
3
2-8/4/2025
AP Studio Art
3
3
0
n/aFall 20108/12/2008
AP Studio Art
3
3
0
n/aFall 20108/12/2008
AP Studio Art - 2D
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP Studio Art - 2D
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP Studio Art - 3D
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP Studio Art - 3D
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP Studio Art - Drawing
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP Studio Art - Drawing
3
3
0
n/a-5/10/2010
AP U.S. Government and Politics
3
3
3
D8+US-2-12/18/2008
AP U.S. Government and Politics
3
3
3
D8Fall 20098/12/2008
AP U.S. Government and Politics
3
3
3
4Fall 20098/4/2025
AP U.S. History
3
6
3
(C2 or D6)+US-1-12/18/2008
AP U.S. History
3
6
3
D6Fall 20098/12/2008
AP U.S. History
3
6
3
(3B or 4)+US-1-8/4/2025
AP U.S. History
3
6
3
4Fall 20098/4/2025
AP U.S.Government and Politics
3
3
3
4+US-2-8/4/2025
AP Word History Modern
3
3
3
3B or 48/4/2025
AP World History
3
6
3
C2 or D6-12/18/2008
AP World History
3
6
3
D6Fall 20098/12/2008
AP World History
3
6
3
3B or 4-8/4/2025
AP World History
3
6
3
4Fall 20098/4/2025
AP World History Modern
3
3
3
C2 or D8/2019
CLEP American Government
50
3
3
D8-5/10/2010
CLEP American Government
50
3
3
4-5/9/2025
CLEP American Literature
50
3
3
C2-5/10/2010
CLEP American Literature
50
3
3
3B-5/9/2025
CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
50
3
3
C2-5/10/2010
CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
50
3
3
3B-5/9/2025
CLEP Biology
50
3
3
B2-5/10/2010
CLEP Biology
50
3
3
5B-5/9/2025
CLEP Calculus
50
3
3
B4-5/10/2010
CLEP Calculus
51
3
0
n/aFall 20098/12/2008
CLEP Calculus
50
3
3
2-5/9/2025
CLEP Calculus
51
3
0
n/aFall 20098/12/2008
CLEP Chemistry
50
3
3
B1-5/10/2010
CLEP Chemistry
48
3
0
n/aFall 20098/12/2008
CLEP Chemistry
50
3
3
5A-5/9/2025
CLEP Chemistry
48
3
0
n/aFall 20098/12/2008
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For more information on the CSU External Exams Policy download a copy of the CSU Systemwide Credit for External Examinations in PolicyStat.​

​

1These units count toward eligibility for CSU admission. Refer to the CSU Credit for Prior Learning policy for additional guidance. 

2 GE Areas 1A through 6 are defined in CSU General Education Requirements. Areas of American Institutions (US-1 through US-3) are set forth in Sections IA and IB of Graduation Requirements in United States History, Constitution and American Ideals, and are listed at assist.org. 

3Students seeking credit towards a CSU GE area prior to transfer must have passed the test before this date.

4If a student passes more than one CLEP test in the same language other than English (e.g., two exams in French), then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, a passing score of 50 is considered "Level I" and earns six units of baccalaureate credit; the higher score listed for each test is considered "Level II" and earns additional units of credit and placement in Area 3B of CSU GE, as noted.

5The IB curriculum offers language at various levels for native and non-native speakers. Language B courses are offered at the intermediate level for non-natives. IB Language A1 and A2 are advanced courses in literature for native and non-native speakers, respectively.

6If a student passes more than one AP exam in calculus or computer science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate.

7Students who pass AP Environmental Science earn 4 units of credit. Tests prior to Fall 2009 may apply either to 5A+5C or 5B+5C of GE. Fall of 2009 or later, those credits may only apply to 5A+5C.

8If a student passes more than one AP exam in physics, only six units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate, and only four units of credit may be applied to a CSU GE area.​

​​

1These units count toward eligibility for admission. The units may not apply towards Associate Degrees for Transfer (AD-T) or the baccalaureate degree. The units may not all apply toward certification of the corresponding GE-Breadth area. See Executive Orders 1036 and 1100​ for details.

2Areas of GE Breadth (A1 through E) are defined in EO 1100. Areas of American Institutions (US-1 through US-3) are set forth in Sections IA and IB of EO 1061, and at assist.org. Numerical subcategories for Area D were removed and no longer apply effective 4/11/2018 but are provided for historical reference.

3Students seeking certification in GE Breadth prior to transfer must have passed the test before this date.

4If a student passes more than one CLEP test in the same language other than English (e.g., two exams in French), then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, a passing score of 50 is considered "Level I" and earns six units of baccalaureate credit; the higher score listed for each test is considered "Level II" and earns additional units of credit and placement in Area C2 of GE Breadth, as noted.

5The IB curriculum offers language at various levels for native and non-native speakers. Language B courses are offered at the intermediate level for non-natives. Language A1 and A2 are advanced courses in literature for native and non-native speakers, respectively.

6If a student passes more than one AP exam in calculus or computer science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate.

7Students who pass AP Environmental Science earn 4 units of credit. Tests prior to Fall 2009 may apply either to B1+B3 or B2+B3 of GE Breadth. Fall of 2009 or later, those credits may only apply to B1+B3.

8If a student passes more than one AP exam in physics, only six units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate, and only four units of credit may be applied to a certification in GE Breadth.​​

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