International Examination Credit
This page applies to members of the undergraduate Class of 2016 only. For information about the use of international exam scores in Admissions decisions, please visit http://www.mitadmissions.org/. UAAP cannot answer questions about qualifications for admission to MIT.
If you have taken the following examinations or similar tests and hope to earn MIT credit, your scores or grades must be submitted to MIT for evaluation:
Credit will be granted consistent with the practices described for College Board Advanced Placement exams. Below are current policies on how credit is awarded based on the type of examination, subject, and score. These policies are specific to the Class of 2016, and are subject to change for subsequent entering classes.
For exams not listed here, consult Advanced Placement staff in UAAP for help in contacting appropriate academic departments.
If you register for any version of 8.01 or 18.01 after receiving credit for it through an international exam score, note the following:
- You lose the international exam credit.
- Exam credit can be reinstated only if you drop the matching subject before Add Date (fifth week of the term).
- You must pass the subject in order to meet the relevant General Institute Requirement.
- See the Mathematics and Physics sections below for information on general elective credit granted in this case.
A-Level
MIT recognizes and gives credit for A-Level examinations as administered in various countries in the following areas, based on appropriate documentation. To receive final credit you must present your official A-Level certificate to UAAP Advanced Placement staff for copy and review. However, if all you have when you arrive on campus is a provisional statement of results or other unofficial report, bring it to UAAP right away. Tentative credit can be recorded and used as a prerequisite for 8.02 and 18.02.
- Biology: No credit is given for A-Level Biology. To receive credit for 12 units of Introductory Biology (7.012), you must pass the Biology Advanced Standing Examination administered during Orientation.
- Chemistry: No credit is given for A-Level Chemistry. To receive 12 units of credit for 5.111, Principles of Chemical Science, you must pass the Advanced Placement (Advanced Standing) exam administered during freshman Orientation.
- Computer Science: No credit is given for A-Level Computer Science examinations.
- Mathematics: For a grade of A or B in A-Level Mathematics, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 18.01, Calculus I. For grades lower than B or grades in Further Mathematics, no credit is given.
If you are given 18.01 credit and then take 18.01A (a variation of 18.01) for review purposes, your 12 units of 18.01 credit will convert to 3 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.01A.
If you take 18.014 (calculus with theory), your 18.01 credit will convert to 9 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.014. - Physics: For a grade of A in A-Level Physics, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I, and you may enroll in subject 8.02 or 8.022 (Physics II). For grades lower than A, no credit is given.
If you earn 8.01 credit and then enroll in 8.012 (the advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units of credit initially given for 8.01 will convert to 6 units of general elective credit. You will also receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 8.012. - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: For a grade of A on A-Level examinations in fields designated Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences at MIT, credit will be given for 9 general elective units. Note that credit earned from A-Levels does not satisfy any part of the HASS Requirement. For grades lower than A, no credit is given.
Cambridge Pre-U
MIT recognizes and gives credit for Cambridge Pre-U examinations in the following areas, based on appropriate documentation. To receive final credit you must present your official Pre-U certificate to UAAP Advanced Placement staff for copy and review. However, if all you have when you arrive on campus is a provisional statement of results or other unofficial report, bring it to UAAP right away. Tentative credit can be recorded and used as a prerequisite for 8.02 and 18.02.
- Biology: No credit is given for Pre-U Biology. To receive credit for 12 units of Introductory Biology (7.012), you must pass the Biology Advanced Standing Examination administered during Orientation.
- Chemistry: No credit is given for Pre-U Chemistry. To receive 12 units of credit for 5.111, Principles of Chemical Science, you must pass the Advanced Placement (Advanced Standing) exam administered during freshman Orientation.
- Geography: MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences will grant 3 units of general elective credit for a grade of D3, D2, or D1.
- Mathematics: No credit is given for Pre-U Mathematics or Further Mathematics exams. To receive credit for 18.01 and/or 18.02, take the appropriate Advanced Standing Exams.
- Physics: For a grade of D3, D2, or D1 in Pre-U Physics, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I, and you may enroll in subject 8.02 or 8.022 (Physics II). For grades lower than D1, no credit is given.
If you earn 8.01 credit and then enroll in 8.012 (the advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units of credit initially given for 8.01 will convert to 6 units of general elective credit. You will also receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 8.012. - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: For a grade of D3, D2, or D1 in the Pre-U examinations listed below, credit will be given for 9 general elective units. Note that credit earned from Pre-U exams does not satisfy any part of the HASS Requirement. For grades lower than D1, no credit is given.
HASS-related Pre-U exams include: Art and Design, Classical Heritage, Comparative Government and Politics, Economics, Literature in English, Global Perspectives and Independent Research, Classical Greek, History, Art History, Classical Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Foreign Languages, Music, Philosophy and Theology, and Psychology.
International Baccalaureate
MIT recognizes and gives credit for Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate examinations in the following areas, based on appropriate documentation. You must ask the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to release your scores to MIT in order for credit to be processed: in most cases this can be done through the Candidate Results Service. MIT downloads reports electronically from the IBO; there is no need to send a copy of your certificate or diploma.
- Biology: No credit is given for IB examinations in Biology. To receive credit for 12 units of Introductory Biology (7.012), you must pass the Biology Advanced Standing Examination administered during Orientation.
- Chemistry: No credit is given for IB examinations in Chemistry. To receive credit for 12 units of 5.111, Principles of Chemical Science, students must pass the Advanced Placement (Advanced Standing) exam administered during Orientation.
- Computer Science: No credit is given for the IB Computer Science exam.
- Mathematics: For a score of a 6 or 7, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 18.01, Calculus I. For scores lower than 6, no credit is awarded.
If you are given 18.01 credit and then take 18.01A (a variation of 18.01) for review purposes, your 12 units of 18.01 credit will convert to 3 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.01A.
If you take 18.014 (calculus with theory), your 18.01 credit will convert to 9 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.014. - Physics: For a score of 7, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I, and you may enroll in subject 8.02 or 8.022 (Physics II). For grades lower than 7, no credit is given.
If you earn 8.01 credit and then enroll in 8.012 (the advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units of credit initially given for 8.01 will convert to 6 units of general elective credit. You will also receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 8.012. - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: For a score of 7 on exams in fields designated as Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences at MIT, credit will be given for 9 general elective units. Note that credit earned from HASS-related IB exams does not satisfy any part of the HASS Requirement. For scores lower than 7, no credit is given.
French Baccalauréat
MIT recognizes and gives credit for French Baccalauréat examinations in the following areas, based on appropriate documentation:
- Biology: No credit is given for French Baccalauréat examinations in Biology. To receive credit for 12 units of Introductory Biology (7.012), you must pass the Biology Advanced Standing Examination administered during Orientation.
- Chemistry: No credit is given for French Baccalauréat examinations in Chemistry. To receive credit for 12 units of 5.111, Principles of Chemical Science, students must pass the Advanced Placement (Advanced Standing) exam administered during Orientation.
- Computer Science: No credit is given for French Baccalauréat examinations in Computer Science.
- Mathematics: For scores 10 through 20, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 18.01, Calculus I. For scores lower than 10, no credit is awarded.
If you are given 18.01 credit and then take 18.01A (a variation of 18.01) for review purposes, your 12 units of 18.01 credit will convert to 3 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.01A.
If you take 18.014 (calculus with theory), your 18.01 credit will convert to 9 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.014. - Physics: For scores 13 through 20, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I. For scores lower than 13, no credit is awarded.
If you earn 8.01 credit and then enroll in 8.012 (the advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units of credit initially given for 8.01 will convert to 6 units of general elective credit. You will also receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 8.012. - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: For scores 13 through 20 on exams in fields designated as Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences at MIT, credit will be given for 9 general elective units. Note that credit earned from HASS-related French Baccalauréat exams does not satisfy any part of the HASS Requirement. For scores lower than 13, no credit is given.
German Abitur
MIT recognizes and gives credit for German Abitur examinations in the following areas, based on appropriate documentation:
- Biology: No credit is given for German Abitur examinations in Biology. To receive credit for 12 units of Introductory Biology (7.012), you must pass the Biology Advanced Standing Examination administered during Orientation.
- Chemistry: No credit is given for German Abitur examinations in Chemistry. To receive credit for 12 units of 5.111, Principles of Chemical Science, students must pass the Advanced Placement (Advanced Standing) exam administered during Orientation.
- Computer Science: No credit is given for German Abitur Computer Science exams.
- Mathematics: For scores 10 through 15, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 18.01, Calculus I. For scores lower than 10, no credit is awarded.
If you are given 18.01 credit and then take 18.01A (a variation of 18.01) for review purposes, your 12 units of 18.01 credit will convert to 3 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.01A.
If you take 18.014 (calculus with theory), your 18.01 credit will convert to 9 units of general elective credit. In addition, you will receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 18.014. - Physics: For scores 13 through 15, credit will be given for 12 units of subject 8.01, Physics I. For scores lower than 13, no credit is awarded.
If you earn 8.01 credit and then enroll in 8.012 (the advanced version of 8.01), the 12 units of credit initially given for 8.01 will convert to 6 units of general elective credit. You will also receive 12 units of credit for a passing grade in 8.012. - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences: For scores 13 through 15 on exams in fields designated as Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences at MIT, credit will be given for 9 general elective units. Note that credit earned from HASS-related German Abitur exams does not satisfy any part of the HASS Requirement. For scores lower than 13, no credit is given.
For More Information
If you need more information on international examinations, or if you have questions regarding examination formats not mentioned here, please contact Advanced Placement staff in the Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming:
AP Staff, Office of Undergraduate Advising and Academic Programming
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, Room 7-104
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-253-6771, ap@MIT.EDU
For information about the use of international exam scores in Admissions decisions, please visit http://www.mitadmissions.org/. UAAP cannot answer questions about qualifications for admission to MIT.
