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International Examinations

These policies are specific to the Class of 2028 and are subject to change for subsequent entering classes.

Several academic departments have established policies on MIT credit for high scores in certain international examinations. See below for details on credit and reporting processes for A Levels, the International Baccalaureate (Higher Level only), the Cambridge Pre-U, the French Baccalauréat, and the Abitur. 

Please note that the Institute does NOT grant credit for AS Level International Baccalaureate (IB) exams.

For exams not listed here, consult Advanced Placement staff for help in contacting appropriate academic departments.

A-LEVELS
  • Biology: No credit is given for the A-Level Biology exam. 
  • Chemistry: No credit is given for the A-Level Chemistry exam. 
  • Computer Science: No credit is given for the A-Level Computer Science exam.
  • Geography: A grade of A* or A will grant you 3 units of unrestricted elective credit.
  • Mathematics: A grade of A* or A will grant you credit for 18.01.
  • Physics: A grade of A* or A will grant you credit for 8.01.
  • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: A grade of A* or A on applicable exams will grant you 9 units of unrestricted elective credit for each exam
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) Higher Level Exams Only
  • Biology: No credit is given for the IB Biology exam. 
  • Chemistry: No credit is given for the IB Chemistry exam. 
  • Computer Science: No credit is given for the IB Information Technology in a Global Society examination.
  • Mathematics: A score of 7 will grant you credit for 18.01.
  • Physics: A score of 7 will grant you credit for 8.01.
  • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: A score of 7 on applicable exams will grant you 9 units of  unrestricted elective credit for each exam.
  • In addition to earning 9 units of unrestricted elective credit, a score of 7 on the English HL IB Exam places you in the “CI-H/CI-HW Required” category without taking the First Year Essay Evaluation (FEE).
CAMBRIDGE PRE-U EXAMS
  • Biology: No credit is given for the Pre-U Biology exam. 
  • Chemistry: No credit is given for the Pre-U Chemistry exam.
  • Geography: A grade of A* or A will grant you 3 units of unrestricted elective credit.
  • Mathematics: No credit is given for Pre-U Mathematics or Further Mathematics exams. 
  • Physics: A grade of D3, D2, or D1 in Pre-U Physics will grant you credit for 8.01.
  • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: A grade of D3, D2, or D1 in applicable Pre-U examinations will grant you 9 units of unrestricted elective credit for each exam.
FRENCH BACCALAURÉAT
  • Biology: No credit is given for the Biology exam. 
  • Chemistry: No credit is given for the Chemistry exam.
  • Mathematics: Students with scores 16 through 20, will be granted credit for 18.01. For scores lower than 16, no credit is awarded. 
  • Physics: Scores 16 through 20 will grant you credit for 8.01. For scores lower than 16, no credit is awarded.
  • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: Scores 16 through 20 will grant you 9 units of unrestricted elective credit for each exam.For scores lower than 16, no credit is awarded.
ABITUR
  • Biology: No credit is given for the Biology exam. 
  • Chemistry: No credit is given for the Chemistry exam. 
  • Mathematics: Students with scores 13 through 15, will be granted credit for 18.01. For scores lower than 13, no credit is given.
  • Physics: A score of 13 through 15 will grant you credit for 8.01. For scores lower than 13, no credit is given.
  • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: A score of 13 through 15 will grant you 9 units of unrestricted elective credit for each exam. For scores lower than 13, no credit is given.

Reporting Your Scores

Except for International Baccalaureate (IB) scores, to document your exam scores you must present an original, final, printed Certificate issued by an official examining authority. Please scan your original certificate and email to ap@mit.edu with the email subject as “Your Last Name” and “Exam Certificate” (ex: Santoro A Level Certificate). If you cannot email the file, please bring the original certificate to 7-103 for credit verification.

Final certificates for A Level and Pre-U scores are not usually issued until November following the June exams. In that case, you can either send your official Statement of Results to ap@mit.edu or you can bring your original printed Statement of Results to room 7-103. Staff can record preliminary credit, but final credit cannot be applied to your degree requirements until staff see the original, final, printed Certificate.

IB scores are downloaded electronically once you release them to MIT. Use the Candidate Results Service. There is no need to send or bring a copy of your certificate or diploma. 

For More Information

Address questions not answered here regarding MIT’s policies and procedures on credit for international exam scores to ap@mit.edu. 

For information about the use of international exam scores in Admission decisions, please visit the MIT Admissions website. We cannot answer questions about qualifications for admission to MIT.