AP Credit
Northwestern AP Credit
Northwestern awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 4 is enough on 5, and the other 7 need a higher score.
Lowest score accepted
4
Limit on AP credit
None stated on the page
Chart applies to
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, students entering 2026-27, 2026-27
What each AP exam earns at Northwestern
Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when Northwestern’s page does not name it.
| AP exam | Lowest score | What it earns | With a 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus AB | 4 | 1 unit (MATH 220-1) | 2 units (MATH 220-1,2) |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 2 units (MATH 220-1,2) | 3 units (MATH 220-1,2 & Math 226-0) |
| English Language and Composition | 5 | 2 units (ENGLISH 1LC) | Same |
| English Literature and Composition | 5 | 2 units (ENGLISH 1LT) | Same |
| United States History | 5 | 2 units (HISTORY 2US) | Same |
| Biology | 5 | 1 unit (BIOL_SCI 1XX) | Same |
| Chemistry | 5 | 1 unit (CHEM 1XX) | Same |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 5 | 1.34 units (PHYSICS 135-1 and lab course 136-1) | Same |
| Computer Science A | 4 | 1 unit (COMP_SCI 1CA) | Same |
| Statistics | 4 | 1 unit (STAT 210-0) | Same |
| Psychology | 5 | 1 unit (PSYCH 110-0) | Same |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 1 unit (SPANISH 2LN) | 2 units (SPANISH 2LN) |
“AP and IB credits generally count toward the 45 units of credit needed for a Weinberg degree, even if they are not being counted toward general education requirements, requirements for majors or minors, etc.”
Frequently asked questions
Does Northwestern accept AP credit?
Northwestern awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 4 is enough on 5, and the other 7 need a higher score.
What AP score do you need at Northwestern?
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.
Read from Northwestern’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.
