AP Credit
Bowdoin AP Credit
Bowdoin lists 5 of the 12 common AP exams here for credit, in most cases only after a follow-up course at Bowdoin.
Lowest score accepted
4
Limit on AP credit
Four course credits toward the 32 required, shared with IB, other international exams and pre-matriculation college credit
Chart applies to
Students matriculating in fall 2026, 2026-27
Most AP credit is conditional on completing a specified follow-up Bowdoin course with a minimum grade, and AP credit does not meet distribution or division requirements.
What each AP exam earns at Bowdoin
Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when Bowdoin’s page does not name it.
| AP exam | Lowest score | What it earns | With a 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | None | No credit; used for course placement only | |
| Calculus BC | None | No credit; used for course placement only | |
| English Language and Composition | None | No credit; exam not accepted | |
| English Literature and Composition | 4 | 1 general credit after completing an eligible English course with a minimum grade of B-; no major/minor credit | Same |
| United States History | 4 | 1 general credit after completing a HIST 2000-level or higher course with a minimum grade of B; no major/minor credit | Same |
| Biology | None | No credit; used for course placement only | |
| Chemistry | 4 | 1 general credit after completing a specified 2000-level chemistry course with a minimum grade of C- | Same |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 1 general credit (PHYS 1130) after completing PHYS 1140 with a minimum grade of C- | Same |
| Computer Science A | None | No credit; used for course placement only | |
| Statistics | None | No credit; used for course placement only | |
| Psychology | None | No credit; meets the prerequisite for courses requiring PSYC 1101 | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 1 general credit after completing HISP 2305 or a higher HISP course with a minimum grade of B-; no major/minor credit | Same |
“These guidelines are for Bowdoin students matriculating in the fall 2026 semester only.”
Frequently asked questions
Does Bowdoin accept AP credit?
Bowdoin lists 5 of the 12 common AP exams here for credit, in most cases only after a follow-up course at Bowdoin. Most AP credit is conditional on completing a specified follow-up Bowdoin course with a minimum grade, and AP credit does not meet distribution or division requirements.
What AP score do you need at Bowdoin?
The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 4. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.
Is there a limit on AP credit at Bowdoin?
Yes. Bowdoin states this limit: Four course credits toward the 32 required, shared with IB, other international exams and pre-matriculation college credit.
Read from Bowdoin’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.
