Minimum Test Score Policy Amendments

1. Purpose

This policy establishes system-wide standards for the award of academic credit for Advanced Placement (AP) examinations and International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) examinations across all colleges and universities of the State University of New York (SUNY). The policy is intended to promote consistency, transparency, and equitable treatment of students who have successfully completed commonly pursued standardized examinations, while preserving institutional flexibility to uphold curricular standards. It further ensures that AP and IB credit practices across SUNY align with system expectations for academic quality, equity, and clarity.

2. Authority and Background

This policy is issued pursuant to and consistent with the SUNY Board of Trustees Policy on the Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). The CPL policy authorizes SUNY institutions to award academic credit for demonstrated college-level learning obtained through standardized examinations and other validated assessments. The CPL policy affirms that:

• Academic credit may be granted when demonstrated learning is comparable in scope, rigor, and outcomes to coursework offered by the institution;
  
• Faculty governance plays a central role in establishing standards for awarding credit and ensuring alignment with curricular integrity; and
  
• Institutions must maintain transparency by publishing credit-awarding practices in official catalogs, academic policies, and transfer documentation.

3. Policy Statement

All SUNY campuses shall award academic credit for Advanced Placement (AP) examinations with scores of 3 or higher and International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level examinations with scores of 4 or higher in a manner that is consistent, transparent, and equitable.

4. Scope

This policy applies to undergraduate students matriculating at any State University of New York campus who have successfully completed an Advanced Placement examination with a score of 3 or higher, and/or successfully completed an International Baccalaureate Higher Level (HL) examination with a score of 4 or higher.

5. Implementation Standards

5.1 Advanced Placement (AP) Examination Score Acceptance

a. When an examination equivalency or credit is applicable to specific courses, degree requirements, general electives, or disciplinary‑area electives in support of degree completion and student progress, SUNY campuses shall award transfer credit for College Board–recognized Advanced Placement (AP) examination scores of 3 or higher.

b. If a campus determines that no direct course equivalent exists for an AP examination area, the campus shall award elective credit or disciplinary‑area credit within the appropriate academic field, where such credit may be granted. Campuses shall apply this credit in the manner that best satisfies applicable degree requirements and maximizes the student’s progress toward timely degree completion.

c. Campuses may award credit for AP examination scores below a score of 3 based on local campus requirements and academic standards.

5.2. International Baccalaureate Higher Level (HL) Examination Score Acceptance

a. When an examination equivalency or credit is applicable to specific courses, degree requirements, general electives, or disciplinary‑area electives in support of degree completion and student progress, SUNY campuses shall award transfer credit for International Baccalaureate examination scores of 4 or higher on Higher Level (HL) examinations.

b. If a campus determines that no direct course equivalent exists for a higher level IB examination area, the campus shall award elective credit or disciplinary‑area credit within the appropriate academic field, where such credit may be granted. Campuses shall apply credit in the manner that best satisfies applicable degree requirements and maximizes the student’s progress toward timely degree completion.

c. Campuses may award credit for IB examination scores below a score of 4 on higher level examinations based on local campus requirements and academic standards.

d. Campuses may award credit for standard level (SL) examinations based on local campus requirements and academic standards.

5.3 Non-Applicable or Duplicative Credit

Campuses may appropriately withhold credit for examinations when a satisfactory score was earned where:

• the credit cannot be applied to any specific course, degree requirement, general elective credit, or disciplinary‑area elective; or
• awarding the credit would be duplicative of credit previously earned.

5.4 Alignment with SUNY Transfer Paths

If an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examination is accepted by a receiving campus as equivalent to a Core Course included in a SUNY Transfer Path, the examination shall also satisfy the corresponding SUNY Transfer Path requirement.

5.5 Limiting Credit by Examination

a. SUNY institutions may establish limits on the number of exams accepted for credit and/or limits on the amount of credit that may be awarded, provided that such limits are applied uniformly to both transfer and non-transfer students.

b. Limits on the number of exams accepted for credit and/or limits on the amount of credit that may be awarded are permitted where campuses have credit-in-residence requirements (residency requirements). Campuses must clearly publish the minimum credits that must be completed in residence to earn the degree and, if applicable, minimum in major or in-program credits in residence.

c. When a student’s total credit by examination exceeds institutional limits, eligible credit shall be applied in a manner that most effectively satisfies requirements and supports timely degree completion.

5.6 Post-Matriculation Coursework

a. This policy applies only to coursework completed prior to matriculation.

b. Campuses may maintain distinct approval standards and procedures for post-matriculation transfer coursework and cross-registration, provided such policies are:

• Clearly communicated to all students and applicants; and
• applied consistently to both transfer and non-transfer students.

6 Compliance and Assessment

6.1. Each SUNY institution shall adopt and publish the above policies and standards in their official admissions policy, transfer credit policy, and academic catalog or bulletin.

6.2. Each SUNY institution shall publish an Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit equivalency chart or list and campus acceptance policies in its official catalog or bulletin and transfer credit policy documents. The materials must include:

a. Examination-specific score thresholds and equivalencies;

b. Credit hours awarded for AP scores of 3 or higher and IB HL scores of 4 or higher;

c. Course equivalencies and alignment with SUNY Transfer Path Core Courses, where applicable;

d. General education or local degree requirements satisfied by examinations; and

e. Any additional standards, limitations, or exceptions.

6.3. Each SUNY institution shall provide their Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate credit equivalency chart annually to the Office of Transfer and Articulation for inclusion in SUNY-wide reporting and the online SUNY Transfer Path tools.

6.4. Each SUNY institution shall amend transfer credit appeal procedures as necessary to align with this policy.

6.5. This system-wide policy will be reviewed on a regular cycle by the Transfer Advisory Council to ensure alignment with SUNY’s strategic goals, accreditation standards, and evolving best practices in transfer and articulation.

7 Policy Effective Date

This policy applies to all exam score evaluations processed on or after [Effective Date to be Determined] and shall be codified in campus catalogs and procedures.

8. Definitions

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination: A standardized, college-level examination administered by the College Board, typically taken by secondary school students as the culmination of an Advanced Placement course of study. AP examinations are used to demonstrate college-level learning for the purpose of awarding academic credit.

Credits in Residence / Residency Requirement: The minimum number of credits that must be completed at the degree‑granting (receiving) institution in order to earn a SUNY degree. Residency requirements may apply to overall degree credits and, where applicable, to major or program requirements.

Elective Credit: Academic credit awarded that does not correspond to a specific course or requirement but may be applied toward overall degree credit totals, subject to degree requirements.

Equivalent Coursework: Coursework determined by a receiving campus to be substantially similar in content, level, learning outcomes, and credit value to its own offerings, as determined under SUNY and local campus policies.

International Baccalaureate (IB): An internationally recognized educational program administered by the International Baccalaureate Organization, offering standardized curricula and examinations used to demonstrate readiness for higher education.

International Baccalaureate Higher Level (HL) Examination: An internally and externally assessed IB examination representing advanced study in a subject, completed over a recommended minimum of 240 instructional hours and used to determine eligibility for academic credit under this policy.

International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL) Examination: An internally and externally assessed IB examination completed over a recommended minimum of 150 instructional hours.

Matriculation: The point at which a student is formally admitted to and enrolled in a SUNY institution as a degree‑seeking student.

Non-Transfer Student: An undergraduate student who is enrolled at the transfer receiving institution and did not attend any college or university after completing/terminating their high school education.

Originating (Sending) SUNY Institution: The SUNY institution at which a student previously enrolled and completed coursework that is submitted for evaluation and potential transfer credit at the receiving SUNY institution.

Receiving SUNY Institution: The SUNY institution where a student is matriculated or intending to matriculate and seeking to apply transfer credit toward a degree program. The receiving institution determines the equivalency, applicability, and acceptance of transfer coursework for awarding credit.

Transfer Student: An undergraduate student who is enrolled at the transfer receiving institution for the first time in the current term, but who has attended another college or university prior to the current term.