Advanced Placement Credit
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and British A-Level Examinations
Credit is awarded for scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) exams; for scores of 6 or 7 on Higher-Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams; and for comparable scores on British A-Level exams. Exams based on year-long courses receive one credit; exams based on semester-long courses receive one-half course credit. Credit is not granted for exams that duplicate each other, such as AP and IB English Literature.
There is no limit to the number of exams that may be awarded credit, but credit received for advanced standing does not supersede the College’s requirement of 30 post-college-matriculation courses. In effect, regardless of the number of AP/IB exams that are eligible for and awarded credit, no more than two of them can apply to the credits needed for graduation.
The Foreign Language Requirement
The requirement for foreign language is satisfied in one of the following six ways.
- By passing the third semester or higher of a foreign language or literature course at Pomona College (or an approved equivalent course at another eligible institution)
- By earning a score of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement examination in a foreign language
- By earning a score of 6 or 7 on a Higher Level International Baccalaureate (IB) foreign language exam
- By earning a score of 650 or higher on the College Board SAT-II Subject test in a foreign language (Listening Tests are not eligible)
- With an O-level (or G-CSE) grade of at least B in another language
- By Academic Procedures Committee approval of a foreign school diploma verifying a non-English language as the principle language of instruction, through the eighth grade, or equivalent
Departmental Specifics
Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and students should contact the appropriate academic department directly to inquire about AP credits.
Asian Languages and Literatures
Any entering student who has previously learned Chinese or Japanese and plans to study either language must take a placement examination. This includes students who have received credit for Advanced Placement exams in the language.
Major in Computer Science
CSCI 30 and 51 are designed for students who have no experience in programming. Students who have Advanced Placement or similar preparation may enter directly into either 52 or 62 if they have knowledge of the programming language that was used the previous semester in 51.
Major in Economics
Students who received a 4 or 5 on both the Microeconomics and Macroeconomics AP exams may skip ECON 051 or ECON 052. The Economics Department also offers placement examinations for students who have done well in coursework in macroeconomics or microeconomics prior to coming to college, and who would like to try to place out of Economics 51 or 52 (Principles: Microeconomics).
Math
Statistical Methods for Clinical Trials Data
Prerequisite: one of 58, 152, ECON 57, PSYC 158 or AP Statistics.
Physics
Advanced Introductory Astronomy
Prerequisites: AP Physics or PHYS 41 or 70.
Major in Psychology
A score of 4 or 5 on the AP exam in psychology may be substituted for the PSYC 51 requirement.
Major in Spanish
Spanish 101, or a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Spanish Literature exam, is a prerequisite for courses numbered 110 or above.