Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
A student's undergraduate school (Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Business, Architecture, Art) may place a limit on the total number of AP or other prematriculation credits allowed. Within those credit limits, it is possible to receive AP Credit for:
- Calculus I (Math 1510)
- Calculus II (Math 1520)
- Elementary Probability and Statistics (SDS 2020)
| AP Test Version | Score | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| BC | 5 | 6 units credit for Math 1510-1520 (Calculus I and II). Recommended placement in Math 2130 (Calculus III) or possibly Math 2801 (Honors Mathematics I) |
| BC | 4 | Recommended placement in Math 2130 (Calculus III). Student will receive a waiver for Math 1510 and Math 1520. This waiver will be placed on your record to show that you have learned the material and do not have to take Math 1510. You can still obtain credit for Math 1510 and Math 1520 by successful completion of Math 2130 (see alternate route to credit below). Contact your major program about their specific requirements on math waivers. |
| BC | 3 | Student may be possibly ready to enter Math 2130 (Calculus III) but Math 1520 (Calculus II) might be more suitable. |
| AB or AB subscore on BC exam | 5 | 3 units credit for Math 1510 (Calculus I). Recommended placement in Math 1520 (Calculus II). |
| AB | 4 | Recommended placement in Math 1520 (Calculus II). Student will receive a waiver for Math 1510. This waiver will be placed on your record to show that you have learned the material and do not have to take Math 1510. You can still obtain credit for Math 1510 by successful completion of Math 1520 (see alternate route to credit below). Contact your major program about their specific requirements on math waivers. |
| AB | 3 | Student is possibly ready to enter Math 1520 (Calculus II) but Math 1510 (Calculus I) might be more suitable. |
Students with an AP Statistics score of 5 receive 3 units of credit for SDS 2020 (Elementary Probability & Statistics). If these students wish to continue studying statistics, they should consult with the Undergraduate Director at sdsundergraddirector@wustl.edu about course selection.
No credit is awarded for an AP Statistics score less than 5. Such students could consider SDS 2020 (a course similar to the AP statistics syllabus) or first taking Calculus III (Math 2130) followed by SDS 3020 (Elementary to Intermediate Statistics with Data Analysis).
Any student (with or without an AP score) can receive AP credit for:
- Math 1510 (3 units) by completing Math 1520 with a grade of C+ or better
- Math 1510 and 1520 (total: 6 units) by completing Math 2130 with a grade of C+ or better
Math 1510 and 1520 are the only courses which can receive "retroactive AP credit," and this policy applies only when the more advanced course in the calculus sequence is taken at Washington University. Retroactive credits will appear in the "Other Credits" section of the student record by the end of the following semester.
Note: If a student takes Math 1520 or 2130, receives a grade less than C+, and then later retakes the course and earns a grade of C+ or better, retroactive AP credit will not be awarded for earlier courses in the calculus sequence.
International Baccalaureate and British A-Level Credit
IB score of 6-7 for Math (Level HL): 3 units of credit for Calculus I (Math 1510)
If the student's IB HL program included the Series and Differential Equations optional component, then the student may be able to receive additional credits for Calculus II (Math 1520) in one of two ways:
- We encourage such students to take Calculus III (Math 2130). If Math 2130 is completed at Washington University with a grade of C+ or better, the student will retroactively receive an additional 3 units of credits for Calculus II (Math 1520).
- If such a student does not plan to continue into Calculus II, he or she can petition the department for a notation in the "Milestones" section of their permanent WashU record: "Calculus II waived on recommendation of the Mathematics Department." In this case, contact sdsundergraddirector@wustl.edu. The petition process will involve verification with the high school that the "Series and Differential Equations" option was included in the student's HL program.
In all cases, these students should take the Mathematics Department Calculus Placement Exam if they plan to enroll in a calculus course at Washington University.
Mathematics: Students receiving Advanced Level grades of A*, A or B will be awarded 3 units of credits for Math 1510 automatically. An Advanced Level grade of C will receive 3 units credit for Math 1510 after completion of Math 1520 with a grade of C+ or better.
Mathematics (Further): Students receiving Advanced Level grades of A*, A or B will be awarded 6 units of credit for Math 1510 and Math 1520 automatically. An Advanced Level grade of C will receive 6 units credit for Math 1510 and Math 1520 after successful completion of Math 2130 with a grade of C+ or better (or 3 units credit form Math 1510 upon completion of Math 1520 with a grade of C+ or better).
Honors/Special Sequences for 1st Years
Statistics majors may be interested in alternative routes for Calculus credit. Please visit the Department of Mathematics page for more information on the "Honors/Special Sequences for 1st Years."
Transfer Students
The College of Arts & Sciences will enter previously taken courses on your Washington University record after they receive an official transcript. It is your responsibility to send them an official transcript from your previous school.
When deciding transfer credits, the College of Arts & Sciences will consult the Wash U department for equivalent courses.
Your courses may temporarily be labeled as "electives" until the department can review the outside course.
To ensure accuracy in matching your previous courses with an equivalent Wash U course, please provide as much of the following as possible:
- a course syllabus
- the title of the textbook you used and its author(s)
- the textbook itself or a copy of the table of contents
- a URL for a description or syllabus for the course
The more information provided, the better job the department can do in course placement and accurate credit transfers.