1. University of Virginia
  2. Arts & Sciences

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit

Requesting AP Credit

The University of Virginia awards

  • Advanced standing credit (course exemption and academic credit hours) or
  • Advanced Placement (course exemption but no credit hours)

to entering students who have qualifying scores on the Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Students may receive credit in any academic discipline in which an AP test is offered so long as they take the test before the end of their senior year of high school.

Students may also earn course exemption (without credit) for qualifying scores on the SAT II Subject Tests in

  • English composition
  • Foreign language.

The University does not award credit or exemption based on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.

Students should have their AP score reports sent directly to the Office of Admission at the University (College Code 5820) in the summer following the senior year of high school.

Students may view their AP credits by going to the SIS.

Questions regarding Advanced Placement policies and procedures should be directed to:
Office of Admission
University of Virginia
P. O. Box 400160
Charlottesville, VA 22904
(434) 982-3200.

After matriculation, students should direct such questions to the College Registrar's office in 138 Monroe Hall.

The College reserves the right to change these policies at any time prior to the student’s matriculation. Credit awarded may change as the College and departments review examinations and related material. Please check this web site often to verify credit award policy.

AP Examination Score Credits Earned and/or Exemption
Art (Studio) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for ARTS 1000T
Art (2D Design) --- NO CREDIT
Art (3D Design) --- NO CREDIT
Art (History) 4 or 5 8 credits earned for ARTH 1051 and ARTH 1052
Biology
[No laboratory credit given]
4 or 5 6 credits earned for BIOL 2010 and 2020
Chemistry
[No laboratory credit given.]
4 or 5 6 credits earned for CHEM 1410 and 1420
Chinese Language and Culture 5 Exemption from CHIN 2020
Computer Science A* 5 3 credits earned for C S 1110
Computer Science AB* 4 or 5 grade of 4 = 3 credits earned for CS 1110; grade of 5 = 3 credits for CS 1110 and 3 credits for CS 2110
Economics (Micro) 5 3 credits earned for ECON 2010
Economics (Macro) 5 3 credits earned for ECON 2020
English (Language) 5 3 credits earned for ENWR 1510
English (Literature) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for ENGL 1000T
Environmental Sciences 4 or 5 3 credits earned for EVSC 1010
French Language** 3 Exemption from FREN 2020
4 or 5 Exemption from FREN 2020 and 3 credits earned for FREN 3031
French Literature** 3 Exemption from FREN 2020
4 or 5 Exemption from FREN 2020 and 3 credits earned for FREN 3032; placement normally in FREN 3031
German (Language)*** 4 3 credits earned for GERM 2010
5 6 credits earned for GERM 2010 and GERM 2020
Government (U.S. Govt. & Politics) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for PLAP 1000T
Government (Comparative Govt. & Politics) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for PLCP 1000T
History (United States) 5 3 credits earned for HIST 2000T****
History (European) 5 3 credits earned for HIST 2000T****
History (World) 5 3 credits earned for HIST 2000T
Human Geography --- NO CREDIT
Japanese Language and Culture 5 Exemption from 2020
Latin (Vergil) 4 or 5 Exemption from LATI 2010 and 2020; 3 credits for LATI 3000T
Latin (Caesar and Vergil) 4 or 5 Exemption from LATI 2010 and 2020; 3 credits for LATI 3000T
Math (AB) 4 or 5 4 credits earned for MATH 1310
Math (BC) 4 or 5 AB subscore 4 credits earned for MATH 1310
4 or 5 8 credits earned for MATH 1310 and 1320
Music (Listening and Literature) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for MUSI 1010
Music (Theory) 4 or 5 3 credits earned for MUSI 2000T
Physics B 4 or 5 8 credits earned for PHYS 2010 and 2020
Physics C 4 or 5 4 credits earned for PHYS 1610
Physics C (Mechanics) 4 or 5 4 credits earned for PHYS 1610 (College Physics Majors)
Physics C (Mechanics) 4 or 5 4 credits earned for PHYS 2310 (College non-majors)
Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) 4 or 5 8 credits earned for PHYS 2310 and 2320 (College non-majors)
Psychology 4 or 5 3 credits earned for PSYC 1010
Spanish (Language) 4 6 credits for SPAN 2010 and 2020;
students may take SPAN 3010
Spanish (Language) 5

6 credits for SPAN 2010 and 2020; students may take any 3000-level course for which 3010 is a prerequisite (3000-3300)

NOTE: No credit is given for SPAN 3010

Spanish (Literature) 4 or 5 6 credits for SPAN 2010 and 2020.
[placement: enroll in a 3000- or 4000-level literature or culture course (not in SPAN 3010 and not in SPAN 3300)]
Statistics 4 3 credits earned for STAT 1120
Statistics 5 3 credits earned for STAT 2120
 

* If the AP test was not in Java, students will have to demonstrate proficiency in Java before taking CS 2110. Students without AP credit but who have advanced programming skills in Java should take a placement test given during fall orientation. Students who pass the placement test will place out of CS 1110, but will not receive credit.

** A score of 3, 4 or 5 on either the French Language or the French Literature exam means your Foreign Language Requirement is fulfilled. Students who receive a 3 and wish to continue their study of French should enroll in FREN 3031.

*** Students who receive a 4 on the German exam must enroll in GERM 2020 to complete the Foreign Language Requirement.

**** Effective Fall 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I receive credit for a course I take at the University if I already have Advanced Placement credit for it, or if I have been exempted without credit?

No. If you take such a course here, you must waive your Advanced Placement credit. If you have placed out of a course (without having received credit), you may not take that course for degree credit. Consult your Association Dean during Fall Orientation about special circumstances.

How can I apply the AP credits I earned before coming to U.Va. and how can I apply my SAT II test scores?

Based upon your standardized test scores (SAT II Tests, AP Tests, A-level, and IB exams), University of Virginia foreign language exam scores, transfer credit from other universities, and/or dual enrollment credit, you are in the position to take more advanced courses and perhaps graduate in less than 8 semesters. AP test scores and dual enrollment courses taken PRIOR to matriculation may count toward fulfilling the College’s area requirements.

You must make sure that the College has your test scores and transcripts as soon as possible, although you may have them added after you arrive. If your Faculty Advisor has no record of your test scores when you meet during Fall Orientation, stop by 138 Monroe Hall and speak with the College Registrar.