Advanced Placement / International Baccalaureate
Advanced Placement Credit
If you completed Advanced Placement examinations with a score of 4 or 5, credit will be assigned to your record as indicated on the AP/IB Credit for Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 list 
. The equivalent Rice courses will appear on your Rice transcript and fulfill all requirements satisfied by those courses, including distribution credit if applicable.
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Receiving Advanced Placement Credit
In order to receive AP credit, you will need to request that an official AP grade report be sent
directly from the College Board to Rice University.
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Receiving International Baccalaureate Credit
International Baccalaureate credit is awarded to IB diploma recipients for higher-level exam scores of 6 or 7 in the same manner and amounts as AP credit. To receive IB credit, you will need to request an official report of your IB test scores to be sent to the Office of the Registrar.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I determine the Rice course credit that will be awarded for AP exams completed with a score of 4 or 5?
View or download the following list of AP/IB Credit for Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 . Please note that this list is updated for each academic year. If you will be attending Rice in the future, be sure to check the list for the academic year of your matriculation. Typically, the new list will be posted during the summer prior to the applicable academic year.
What if my AP credit does not show up when I log onto ESTHER and view my Rice unofficial transcript?
Check with the College Board to be sure your official scores were sent to Rice, and please allow ample time for the credit to be posted. If you took AP exams during multiple years or if you took the exams three or more years ago, you might find it necessary to verify that all of your scores were sent to Rice. You must also allow at least 6 weeks for us to receive the scores from the College Board. IMPORTANT: Please be sure to confirm that your AP credit has been received and posted within your first semester at Rice.
How long should I expect to wait for AP credit to show up on my academic record?
Generally, once you order the scores from the College Board, you should allow 6 to 8 weeks. Peak periods may require a longer turnaround time.
I’m not sure I will need my AP credit. Could I have the scores sent to Rice later?
Even if you think you won’t need your AP credit, you should have the scores sent to Rice NO LATER than your first semester.
Will I be able to register for classes even if my AP credit has not yet been posted?
Yes. Your advisor, however, will want to see a copy of your AP scores. You can anticipate specific course credit as indicated on the AP/IB Credit for Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 list .
What will happen if I take courses at Rice which are equivalent to the AP course credit I received?
Both your AP credit and your Rice enrollment will appear on your transcript, but the AP credit will be excluded from your earned hours. You cannot, for instance, retain credit for AP PHYS 141 and complete Rice enrollment in PHYS 101, PHYS 111, or PHYS 125. The Physics department considers these courses equivalent and does not allow “repeated” credit. If you receive credit for PHYSICS B (PHYS 141 and 142) and then take PHYS 101 at Rice, your credit in PHYS 141 will be excluded soon after you receive a final grade for PHYS 101.
What is the maximum amount of AP credit that can be awarded?
Currently, Rice does not limit the amount of AP credit that can be awarded. However, this policy could change in the future. Be sure to check the AP policies for the year of your matriculation at Rice.
Does Rice offer credit for any international certificate programs?
Credit will be considered on a case by case basis for A-Levels, Abitur, the French Baccalaureate, and similar certificate programs. Students must provide the Office of the Registrar with an official certificate for review. If approved, credits can only be awarded in the same areas allowed for AP credit. Please refer to the AP/IB Credit for Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 list for more information.
Does AP credit for English satisfy the English/Communication Composition requirement?
No. All students must take the English/Communication Composition exam, even if they receive AP credit for English.
Does Rice accept CLEP credit?
No. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit is not accepted at Rice University.
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AP/IB Lists for Previous Years
Fall 2007 - Spring 2008
Fall 2006 - Spring 2007
Fall 2005 - Spring 2006
Fall 2004 - Spring 2005
Fall 2003 - Spring 2004
Fall 2002 - Spring 2003
Fall 2001 - Spring 2002
Last Revised : August 13, 2008