External Exams
Credit units earned through the Advanced Placement Test (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or the International Baccalaureate Examination (IB).
Advanced Placement Exams (AP)
The California Community College System, the California State University (CSU) System, and the University of California (UC) System all award credit for AP Exams. The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) grants credit toward its local Associate degrees and CSU General Education (GE) and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification patterns to students who attain scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Exams of the College Board.
Students can earn a minimum of 3 semester units of credit for each AP exam satisfactorily passed. The Advanced Placement Equivalency Guide identifies how AP exam credit can be applied. Students should meet with a counselor for specific information regarding AP exam placement and credits awarded. Students intending to transfer to a four-year institution should consult a counselor or the individual university regarding its AP credit policy.
To receive credit, students must submit their official AP scores to their SMCCD College. For information about obtaining a transcript, contact the College Board. Information is available on the web at http://www.collegeboard.com.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) grants credit for successful completion of certain CLEP examinations to students who attain satisfactory scores. Access the CLEP Equivalency Guide to identify how CLEP credit can be applied. The University of Califorina does not award units for CLEP. CLEP credits do not apply to IGETC requirements.
Students can earn a minimum of 3 semester units of credit for each exam satisfactorily passed. Students should meet with a counselor for specific information regarding CLEP placement and credits awarded. Students intending to transfer to a four-year institution should consult a counselor or the individual university regarding its CLEP credit policy.
To receive credit, students must submit an official CLEP to their SMCCD College. For information about obtaining a transcript, contact the College Board. Information is available at www.collegeboard.com.
International Baccalaureate Examination (IB)
The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) grants credit for successful completion of certain IB Examination tostudents who attain satisfactory scores. The San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) grants credit toward its local Associate degrees and CSU General Education (GE) and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification patterns to students who attain scores of 4 or higher. Access the IB Equivalency Guide to identify how IB exam credit can be applied.
Students should meeting with counselor for specific information regarding IB exam placement and credit awarded. Students intending to transfer to a four-year institution should consult a counselor or the individual university regarding its IB credit policy.
To receive credit, students must submit an official IB transcript to their SMCCD College. For information about obtaining a transcript, contact the International Baccalaureate. Information is available at https://www.ibo.org/
International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Policy 2022-2023
The International Baccalaureate (IB) exam assesses student work and measures students’ academic, intercultural and basic skills.
Credit may be earned for the International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations with scores of 4 or higher.
A score of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher Level exams is required to grade credit for IGETC certification
You can send in your scores to be awarded academic credit.
- Request your official IB Score Reports to be sent from Admissions and Records Office at your SMCCCD college
- Upon receipt of your official IB scores, the Admissions and Records Office will determine course/unit equivalencies according to the SMCCCD IB Credit equivalency guide, and post coursework and units to your SMCCCD transcripts.
- Grades and Grade Points will not be assigned to IB Credit.
The following chart outlines the application of credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) towards each SMCCCD College’s Coursework, Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements, California State University General Education (GE) Breadth Certification, and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification.
If your SMCCCD college does not offer a course similar in content to an IB exam, the college will award credit in the General Education area shown on the California Community College General Education IB List. If there is no General Education area that aligns the IB exam, the College may award elective credit.
Please note:
- An acceptable IB scores for IGETC equates to either 3 semester or 4 quarter units for certification purposes.
- Students who have earned credit from an IB exam should not take a comparable college course because transfer credit will not be granted for both.
- CSU 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 apply toward certification of the corresponding GE-Breadth area.
- If you have any questions regarding Math and English placement or International Baccalaureate (IB) credit please contact your counselor.
- If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at SMCCCD may not be accepted at another institution. Please consult your intended transfer institution.
All units listed are semester units.
SMCCCD IB Credit Equivalency Guide
|
IB Examination HL |
SMCCCD Course Equivalent |
SMCCCD Associate Degree GE Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
CSU Credit Units (A minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
CSU GE Breadth Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5, unless otherwise indicated) |
IGETC Area (3 semester units with a minimum score of 5) |
UC Credit Units |
|
Biology |
BIOL 101, BIOL 110 |
Skyline & Cañada: B2 CSM: E5A |
6 |
B2 |
5B |
5.3 |
|
Chemistry |
CHEM 192 (score: 5,6) CHEM 210 (score: 7) |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 CSM: E5A |
6 |
B1 |
5A |
5.3 |
|
Economics |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
6 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
Geography |
GEOG 100 (Skyline and CSM Only) |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
6 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
History (any Region) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 or D CSM: E5B or E5C |
6 |
C2 or D |
3B or 4 |
5.3 |
|
Language A Literature (Any Language) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 (Minimum Score of 4) |
C2 (Minimum Score of 4) |
3B (1) |
5.3 |
|
Language A Language and Literature (Any Language) |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 (Minimum Score of 4) |
C2 (Minimum Score of 4) |
N/A |
5.3 |
|
Language B (any language) |
SPAN 140 |
N/A |
6 (Minimum Score 4) |
N/A |
6A |
5.3 |
|
Mathematics |
MATH 251 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 (Minimum Score of 4) Meets Math Competency Requirement CSM: C1 and E2C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 |
B4 (Minimum Score of 4) |
2 |
5.3 |
|
Physics |
PHYS 210, PHYS 220 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 CSM: E5A |
6 |
B1 |
5A |
5.3 |
|
Psychology |
PSYC 100 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5C |
3 |
D |
4 |
5.3 |
|
Theatre |
N/A |
Skyline & Cañada: C1 (Minimum Score of 4) CSM: E5C (Minimum Score of 4) |
6 |
C1 (Minimum Score of 4) |
3A |
5.3 |
(1) Students earn IGETC area 3B and 6A if they pass IB Language A Literature or Language A Language and Literature with any language except English.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) 2022-2023
CLEP Exams are offered by the College Board to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge in academic subjects through a national, standardized exam.
If you receive a score of at least 50 on a CLEP exam, you can send in your scores to be awarded academic credit.
- Request your official CLEP scores to be sent from “My CLEP Account” on the College Board website to the Admissions and Records Office at your SMCCCD college
- Upon receipt of your official CLEP scores, the Admissions and Records Office will determine course/unit equivalencies according to the SMCCCD CLEP Credit equivalency guide, and post coursework and units to your SMCCCD transcripts.
- Grades and Grade Points will not be assigned to CLEP Credit.
The following chart outlines the application of credit for College Level Examination Program (CLEP) towards each SMCCCD College’s Coursework, Associate Degree General Education (GE) requirements, California State University General Education (GE) Breadth Certification.
If your SMCCCD college does not offer a course similar in content to an CLEP exam, the college will award credit in the General Education area shown on the California Community College General Education CLEP List. If there is no General Education area that aligns the IB exam, the College may award elective credit.
Please note:
- CSU units count toward eligibility for admission. The units may not apply toward Associate Degrees for Transfer (AD-T) or the baccalaureate degree. The units may not apply toward certification of the corresponding GE-Breadth area.
- If a student passes more than one CLEP test in the same language other than English, then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, then only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate. For each test in a language other than English, a passing score of 0 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.
- If you have any questions regarding Math and English placement or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit please contact your counselor.
- If you plan to transfer to another institution, please be aware that every college/university has their own policies about Credit for Prior Learning. What was accepted at SMCCCD may not be accepted at another institution. Please consult your intended transfer institution.
All units listed are semester units.
SMCCCD CLEP Credit Equivalency Guide
|
Subject Exam |
SMCCCD Course Equivalent |
Passing Score |
SMCCCD Associate Degree GE Area (3 Semester Units) |
CSU Credit Units |
CSU GE Breadth Area |
CSU GE Breadth Units |
|
American Government |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
American Literature |
LIT 202 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E2C or E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E2C or E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Biology |
BIOL 101, BIOL 110 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B2 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B2 |
3 |
|
Calculus |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
Chemistry |
CSU GE Area B1 (score: 50 - 65) CHEM 192 (score: 66 or higher) |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B1 |
3 |
|
College Algebra |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
College Algebra – Trigonometry |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
College Composition |
ENGL 100 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
College Composition-Modular |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
College Mathematics |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
English Composition (no essay) |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
English Composition (with essay) |
ENGL 100 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Financial Accounting |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
French Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
French Level II |
N/A |
59 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Freshman College Composition |
ENGL 100 |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
German Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
German Level II |
N/A |
60 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
History, United States I |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D Meets US History Specific Area CSM: E5B |
3 |
D and US 1 |
3 |
|
History, United States II |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D Meets US History Specific Area CSM: E5B |
3 |
D and US 1 |
3 |
|
Human Growth and Development |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: E CSM: E5B |
3 |
E |
3 |
|
Humanities |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: C2 CSM: E5C |
3 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Information System and Computer Applications |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introduction to Educational Psychology |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introductory Business Law |
BUS 201 |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Introductory Psychology |
PSYC 100 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Introductory Sociology |
SOCI 100 (Skyline Only) |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Natural Sciences |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: B1 or B2 CSM: E5A |
3 |
B1 or B2 |
3 |
|
Pre-Calculus |
N/A |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: A3 Meets Math Competency CSM: C1 and E2C |
3 |
B4 |
3 |
|
Principles of Accounting |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Management |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Marketing |
BUS 180 |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Principles of Macroeconomics |
ECON 100 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Principles of Microeconomics |
ECON 102 |
50 |
Skyline & Cañada: D CSM: E5B |
3 |
D |
3 |
|
Social Sciences and History |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
0 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Spanish Level I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
6 |
N/A |
0 |
|
Spanish Level II |
N/A |
63 |
N/A |
9 |
C2 |
3 |
|
Western Civilization I |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
C2 or D |
3 |
|
Western Civilization II |
N/A |
50 |
N/A |
3 |
D |
3 |