Stanford University AP credit

What each AP score earns at Stanford University for 2026-27: 14 exams, credit shown in quarter units. Always confirm with the school before you plan your schedule.

Rules that apply to every exam

Stanford allows up to 45 units of external credit (90 for transfer admits), including transfer credit and exam credit completed before high school graduation.
Credit is generally granted for AP scores of 4 or 5. Departments may choose to award credit for a score of 3. No credit may be given for scores below 3.
No more than 10 quarter units may be given for performance in a single examination.
Students may receive units for only one external exam per subject. For AP computer science, the higher-satisfying exam is awarded.
Students may receive a maximum of 8 units for AP Physics.
Credit for courses duplicating awarded exam credit is removed. Once credit has been posted, it cannot be removed from the student record.
Credit by exam does not guarantee course placement. Departments administer placement separately.
Scores of 4 on language exams fulfill the University Language requirement but earn no unit credit.
Credit is based on the policies effective during the student's matriculation year.

AP exam	Score	Credit	Courses
AP Calculus AB	5	6	MATH 19/20Qualifying scores on both subject tests required for award.
	5	6	MATH 19/20AB subscore.
AP Calculus BC	5	10	MATH 19/20/21
	4	6	MATH 19/20
AP Chemistry	5	10	CHEM 31A/31B or 31E
AP Chinese Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.
AP Computer Science A	4+	5	CS 105,106ACredit may only be awarded for one AP computer science subject test.
AP Computer Science Principles	4+	5	CS 105Credit may only be awarded for one AP computer science subject test.
AP French Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.
AP German Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.
AP Italian Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.
AP Japanese Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.
AP Latin	5	10	CLASSICS 1L/2L/3LLiterature or Vergil exam; fulfills University Language requirement.
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism	5	4	PHYSICS 43
	4	4	PHYSICS 23
AP Physics C: Mechanics	5	4	PHYSICS 41
	4	4	PHYSICS 21
AP Spanish Language and Culture	5	10	(LANG*) 1A/2A or 1/2/3Fulfills University Language requirement.

Source: Stanford University official AP credit policy . Read on October 22, 2026. Compare AP credit across colleges