National Standardized Exams
As you prepare to attend Maricopa Community Colleges, we want to make your educational experience as seamless as possible. Here are seven options to help get placed in the right courses, so you start your educational journey off on the right foot.
To explore the different college equivalency options, click on the links below to discover which ones apply to you:
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit
If you have taken an Advanced Placement (AP) course in high school from the College Board and have taken the Advanced Placement Examination, you may qualify to receive course credit at Maricopa Community Colleges. Scores must be received directly from the College Board before credit is awarded. Changes to exams and scores are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils or statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs).
| AP Examination | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art—History | 5 or 4 | ARH101 and ARH102 | 6 |
| 3 | ARH101 or ARH102 | 3 | |
| 2-D Art and Design | 5 or 4 | ART112 | 3 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 5 or 4 | ART115 | 3 |
| Drawing | 5 or 4 | ART111 | 3 |
| Biology | 5 or 4 | BIO181 and BIO182 | 8 |
| 3 | BIO100 | 4 | |
| Calculus AB (previously Mathematics—Calculus AB) | 5, 4, or 3 | MAT221 | 4 |
| Calculus BC (previously Mathematics—Calculus BC) | 5 or 4 | MAT221 and MAT231 | 8 |
| 3 | MAT221 | 4 | |
| Chemistry | 4 | CHM151 and CHM151LL | 4 |
| 5 | CHM151 and CHM151LL and CHM152 and CHM152LL | 8 | |
| Chinese Language and Culture (previously Chinese—Language) | 5 | CHI101 and CHI102 and CHI201 and CHI202 | 20 |
| 4 | CHI101 and CHI102 and CHI201 | 15 | |
| 3 | CHI101 and CHI102 | 10 | |
| Comparative Government and Politics (previously Political Science—Comparative Government and Politics) | 5 or 4 | POS140 | 3 |
| Computer Science A | 5 or 4 | CSC100 or CSC110 | 3 |
| Computer Science Principles | 5 | Elective | 3 |
| English—Language and Composition | 5 or 4 | ENG101 or Elective | 3 (and placement into honors composition at Arizona public universities) |
| English—Literature and Composition | 5 or 4 | ENG101 or Elective | 3 (and placement into honors composition at Arizona public universities) |
| Environmental Science | 5 or 4 | Elective | 3 |
| European History | 5 or 4 | HIS101 and HIS102 | 6 |
| French—Language and Culture | 5, 4, or 3 | FRE201 and FRE202 | 8 |
| German—Language and Culture | 3 | GER201 and GER202 | 8 |
| German—Language and Culture | 4 | GER201 and GER202 and GERELC (3) | 11 |
| German—Language and Culture | 5 | GER201 and GER202 and GERELC (6) | 14 |
| Human Geography | 5 or 4 | GCU102 | 3 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 5 | ITA101 and ITA102 and ITA201 and ITA202 | 16 |
| 4 | ITA101 and ITA102 and ITA201 | 12 | |
| 3 | ITA101 and ITA102 | 8 | |
| Japanese Language and Culture (previously Japanese—Language) | 5 | JPN101 and JPN102 and JPN201 and JPN202 | 20 |
| 4 | JPN101 and JPN102 and JPN201 | 15 | |
| 3 | JPN101 and JPN102 | 10 | |
| Latin (previously Latin—Language) | 5 | LAT101 and LAT102 and LAT201 and LAT202 | 16 |
| 4 | LAT101 and LAT102 and LAT201 | 12 | |
| 3 | LAT101 and LAT102 | 8 | |
| Macroeconomics | 5 or 4 | ECN211 | 3 |
| Microeconomics | 5 or 4 | ECN212 | 3 |
| Music Theory (previously Music) | 5 or 4 | MTC105 and MTC106 | 4 |
| Physics 1—Algebra-based | 5 or 4 | PHY111 | 4 |
| Physics 2—Algebra-based | 5 or 4 | PHY112 | 4 |
| Physics C—Electricity and Magnetism | 5, 4, or 3 | PHY112 | 4 |
| Physics C—Mechanics | 5, 4, or 3 | PHY111 | 4 |
| Precalculus | 5, 4, or 3 | MAT187 or MAT188 | 5 or 4 |
| Psychology | 5 or 4 | PSY101 | 3 |
| Research | 3 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Seminar | 3 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Spanish—Language | 3 | SPA201 and SPA202 | 8 |
| Spanish—Language | 4 | SPA201 and SPA202 and SPAELC (3) | 11 |
| Spanish—Language | 5 | SPA201 and SPA202 and SPAELC (6) | 14 |
| Spanish—Literature and Culture | 3 | SPA201 and SPA202 | 8 |
| Spanish—Literature and Culture | 4 | SPA201 and SPA202 and SPAELC (3) | 11 |
| Spanish—Literature and Culture | 5 | SPA201 and SPA202 and SPAELC (6) | 14 |
| Statistics | 5, 4, or 3 | MAT206 | 3 |
| U.S. Government and Politics (previously Political Science—American Government) | 5 or 4 | POS110 | 3 |
| U.S. History (previously History—American) | 5 or 4 | HIS103 and HIS104 | 6 |
| World History | 5 or 4 | HIS111 | 3 |
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
If you have taken or plan to take a College Level Examination Program through the College Board, you may receive college credit from Maricopa Community Colleges. Scores must be received directly from the College Board before credit is awarded. The amount of credit awarded, acceptable scores, and equivalent courses are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils or statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs).
Estrella Mountain Community College, Rio Salado College, Paradise Valley Community College, Mesa Community College, and South Mountain Community College are CLEP test sites. For more information on registering for the CLEP examinations, contact the testing centers at these colleges.
| CLEP Examination | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| College Composition Note: Maricopa Community Colleges do not award credit for ENG 102 through CLEP Examination. |
50 or higher | ENG101 (3) or Elective (3) (and placement into honors composition at universities) | 3 |
| Humanities | 50 or higher | Elective* | 6 |
| Natural Sciences | 56 or higher | Elective | 6 |
| 53-55 | Elective | 3 | |
| Social Sciences and History | 56 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Subject | |||
| American Government | 50 or higher | POS110 | 3 |
| American Literature | 50 or higher | ENH241* or ENH242 | 3 |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 or higher | Elective* | 3 |
| Biology | 50 or higher | BIO Elective* | 3 |
| Calculus (previously Calculus with Elem Functions) | 50 or higher | MAT221 | 4 |
| Chemistry | 50 or higher | CHM151 (3) and CHM151LL (1)* | 4 |
| College Algebra | 50 or higher | MAT152 | 3 |
| English Literature | 50 or higher | Elective* | 3 |
| Financial Accounting | 50 or higher | Elective (students pursuing an AAS at a community college may be able to substitute this exam course to meet an Accounting requirement, but a substitution is not allowed in a transfer degree. Contact the appropriate department at your community college to see if this is an option). | 3 |
| French Language, Level 1 (previously French Language) | 50-54 | FRE101 | 4 |
| 55-61 | FRE101 and FRE102 | 8 | |
| French Language, Level 2 (previously French Language) | 62-65 | FRE101 and FRE102 and FRE201 | 12 |
| 66-80 | FRE101 and FRE102 and FRE201 and FRE202 | 16 | |
| German Language, Level 1 (previously German Language) | 39-45 | GER101 | 4 |
| 46-50 | GER101 and GER102 | 8 | |
| German Language, Level 2 (previously German Language) | 51-59 | GER101 and GER102 and GER201 | 12 |
| 60-80 | GER101 and GER102 and GER201 and GER202 | 16 | |
| History of the U.S. I—Early Colonization to 1877 | 56 or higher | HIS103 | 3 |
| History of the U.S. II—1865 to the Present | 56 or higher | HIS104 | 3 |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 or higher | CFS205 | 3 |
| Information Systems | 50 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Intro to Educational Psychology | 50 or higher | EDU Elective | 3 |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 or higher | PSY101 | 3 |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 or higher | SOC101 | 3 |
| Precalculus | 50 or higher | MAT187 | 5 |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 or higher | ECN211 | 3 |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 or higher | ECN212 | 3 |
| Spanish Language, Level 1 (previously Spanish Language) | 50-54 | SPA101 | 4 |
| 55-65 | SPA101 and SPA102 | 8 | |
| Spanish Language, Level 2 (previously Spanish Language) | 66-67 | SPA101 and SPA102 and SPA201 | 12 |
| 68-80 | SPA101 and SPA102 and SPA201 and SPA202 | 16 | |
| Spanish with Writing | 50-59 | SPA101 and SPA102 | 8 |
| 60 or higher | SPA101 and SPA102 and SPA201 and SPA202 | 16 | |
| Western Civilization I—Ancient Near East to 1648 | 56 or higher | HIS100 or HIS101 | 3 |
| Western Civilization II - 1648 to the Present | 56 or higher | HIS102 | 3 |
*The general studies requirement in natural sciences (SQ and SG) and Literacy and Critical Inquiry (L) are not satisfied by CLEP.
International Baccalaureate Diploma or Certificate (IB)
Did you earn an International Baccalaureate diploma or certificate? You may qualify for college credit as outlined in the table below. Maricopa Community Colleges grants credit for college-level courses only. Scores must be received directly from the institution where the exams were administered before credit is awarded. The amount of credit awarded, the acceptable scores, and the equivalent courses are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils (ICs) or statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs).
| IB Examination Score | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology (HL) | 5 or higher | BIO181 and BIO182 | 8 |
| 4 | BIO100 | 4 | |
| Biology (SL) | 5 or higher | BIO100 | 4 |
| 4 | BIO Elective | 3 | |
| Business and Management (HL) | 5 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Business and Management (SL) | 4 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Chemistry (HL) | 5 or higher | CHM151 and CHM151LL and CHM152 and CHM152LL | 8 |
| 4 | CHM151 and CHM151LL | 4 | |
| Chinese B (HL) | 4 | CHI101 | 5 |
| 5 | CHI101 and CHI102 | 10 | |
| 6 | CHI101 and CHI102 and CHI201 | 15 | |
| 7 | CHI101 and CHI102 and CHI201 and CHI202 | 20 | |
| Classical Languages (HL) | 4 | LAT101 | 4 |
| 5 | LAT101 and LAT102 | 8 | |
| 6 | LAT101 and LAT102 and LAT201 | 12 | |
| 7 | LAT101 and LAT102 and LAT201 and LAT202 | 16 | |
| Computer Science (HL) | 5 or higher | CSC110(3) or CSC110AA(3) or CSC110AB(4) | 3 or 4 |
| Computer Science (SL) | 4 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Economics (HL) | 5 or higher | ECN211 and ECN212 | 6 |
| Environmental Systems and Societies (SL) | 5 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| French B (HL) | 4 | FRE101 | 4 |
| 5 | FRE101 and FRE102 | 8 | |
| 6 | FRE101 and FRE102 and FRE201 | 12 | |
| 7 | FRE101 and FRE102 and FRE201 and FRE202 | 16 | |
| Geography (HL *previously Human Geography) | 5 or higher | GCU102 | 3 |
| Geography (SL) | 4 or higher | GCU Elective | 3 |
| German B (HL) | 4 | GER101 | 4 |
| 5 | GER101 and GER102 | 8 | |
| 6 | GER101 and GER102 and GER201 | 12 | |
| 7 | GER101 and GER102 and GER201 and GER202 | 16 | |
| History—Africa and the Middle East (HL) | 5 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| History—Americas (HL) | 5 or higher | HIS103 and HIS104 | 6 |
| 4 | HIS103 | 3 | |
| History—Europe (HL) | 5 or higher | HIS101 and HIS102 | 6 |
| 4 | HIS101 | 3 | |
| Information Technology in a Global Society (HL) | 5 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Japanese B (HL) | 4 | JPN101 | 5 |
| 5 | JPN101 and JPN102 | 10 | |
| 6 | JPN101 and JPN102 and JPN201 | 15 | |
| 7 | JPN101 and JPN102 and JPN201 and JPN 202 | 20 | |
| Language A: Literature - HL | 5 or higher | ENG101 | 3 |
| Language A: Language & Literature - HL | 5 or higher | ENG101 | 3 |
| Mathematics—Analysis and Approaches (HL) | 5 or higher | MAT220 | 5 |
| Mathematics—Analysis and Approaches (SL) | 5 or higher | MAT142 | 3 |
| Mathematics—Applications and Interpretations (HL) | 5 or higher | MAT142 | 3 |
| Physics (HL) | 6 or higher | PHY111 and PHY112 | 8 |
| 5 | PHY111 | 4 | |
| Physics (SL) | 6 or higher | PHY111 | 4 |
| Psychology (HL) | 5 or higher | PSY101 | 3 |
| Social and Cultural Anthropology (HL) | 4 or higher | ASB102 | 3 |
| Spanish B (HL) | 4 | SPA101 | 4 |
| 5 | SPA101 and SPA102 | 8 | |
| 6 | SPA101 and SPA102 and SPA201 | 12 | |
| 7 | SPA101 and SPA102 and SPA201 and SPA202 | 16 | |
| Theatre (SL) | 4 or higher | THP298AC | 3 |
| Theatre (HL) | 4 or higher | THP298AC | 3 |
| Visual Arts (HL *previously Art/Design) | 5 or higher | ART111 and ART112 | 6 |
| 4 | ART112 | 3 |
Cambridge International A and AS Levels Examinations (CIE)
If you’ve taken a Cambridge International A or AS Levels Examination you could receive college credit. Scores must be received directly from Cambridge International before credit is awarded. The amount of credit awarded, the acceptable scores, and the equivalent courses are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils (ICs) or statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs).
| CIE Examination | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting (A level) | E or higher | Elective | 6 |
| Accounting (AS level) | E or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Art and Design (A level) | E or higher | ART111 and ART112 | 6 |
| Art and Design (AS level) | E or higher | ART111 | 3 |
| Biology (A level) | D or higher | BIO181 and BIO182 | 8 |
| E | BIO181 | 4 | |
| Biology (AS level) | D or higher | BIO100 or BIO Elective | 4 |
| E | BIO100 | 4 | |
| Biology—Marine Science (A level) | D or higher | BIO Elective | 3 |
| Biology – Marine Science (AS level) | D or higher | BIO145 | 4 |
| Business (A level) | E or higher | Elective | 6 |
| Business (AS level) | E or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Chemistry (A level) | A | CHM151 and CHM151LL and CHM152 and CHM152LL | 8 |
| B or C | CHM151 and CHM 151LL | 4 | |
| D or E | CHM130 and CHM130LL | 4 | |
| Chemistry (AS level) | D or higher | CHM130 and CHM130LL or CHM130AA | 4 |
| Chinese (A level) | C or higher | CHI102 | 5 |
| Chinese (AS level) | C or higher | CHI101 | 5 |
| Drama (A level) | C or higher | THP298AC | 3 |
| Drama (AS level) | C or higher | THP298AC | 3 |
| Economics (A level) | D or higher | ECN211 and ECN212 | 6 |
| English Language (A level) | E or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Environmental Management (AS level) | D or higher | ENV101 | 4 |
| French (A level) | C or higher | FRE101 and FRE102 | 8 |
| French Language (AS level) | C or higher | FRE101 | 4 |
| Geography (A level) | C or higher | Elective | 6 |
| Geography (AS level) | C or higher | Elective | 3 |
| German (A level) | C or higher | GER101 and GER102 | 8 |
| German Language (AS level) | C or higher | GER101 | 4 |
| Information Technology (A level) | E or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Information Technology (AS level) | E or higher | Elective credit | 3 |
| Mathematics (A level) | E or higher | MAT187 (5) and MAT212 (3) | 8 |
| Mathematics (AS level) | E or higher | MAT152 | 3 |
| Mathematics—Further (A level) | E or higher | MAT221 and MAT231 and MAT206 | 11 |
| Portuguese Language (A level) | C or higher | POR101 and POR102 | 10 |
| Portuguese Language (AS level) | C or higher | POR101 | 5 |
| Psychology (A level) | E or higher | PSY101 and PSY Elective | 6 |
| Psychology (AS level) | E or higher | PSY101 | 3 |
| Spanish (A level) | C or higher | SPA101 and SPA102 | 8 |
| Spanish First Language (AS level) | C or higher | SPA101 | 4 |
| Spanish Language (AS level) | C or higher | SPA101 | 4 |
| Travel and Tourism (A level) | E or higher | Elective | 6 |
| Travel and Tourism (AS level) | E or higher | Elective | 3 |
DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)
The DSST Credit-by-Exam Program gives you the opportunity to get college credit for learning acquired outside of the classroom. Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit to individuals who meet or exceed the American Council on Education’s recommended scores on the DSST exams. Credit received through DSST is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges system but is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities. Note: We do not award credit for ENG 102 through DSST examination.
Scores must be received directly from DSST before credit is awarded. The amount of credit awarded, acceptable scores, and equivalent courses are determined by the respective Maricopa Instructional Councils (ICs) or statewide Articulation Task Forces (ATFs).
The Assessment Center at Rio Salado College is a DSST test site. For additional information on registering for DSST examinations, call 480-517-8560.
| DSST Examination | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| A History of the Vietnam War | 400 or higher | HIS273 | 3 |
| Art of the Western World | 400 or higher | ARH101 or ARH102 | 3 |
| Civil War and Reconstruction | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Criminal Justice | 400 or higher | AJS101 | 3 |
| Environmental Science | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Foundations of Education | 400 or higher | EDU221 | 3 |
| Fundamentals of Cybersecurity | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Health and Human Development | 400 or higher | HES100 | 3 |
| History of the Soviet Union | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Introduction to Business | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Introduction to Geography | 400 or higher | GCU102 | 3 |
| Introduction to Law Enforcement | 400 or higher | AJS230 | 3 |
| Lifespan Developmental Psychology | 400 or higher | PSY240 | 3 |
| Organizational Behavior | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Principles of Finance | 400 or higher | Elective | 3 |
| Principles of Public Speaking | 400 or higher | COM Elective | 3 |
| Principles of Statistics | 400 or higher | MAT206 | 3 |
| Substance Abuse | 400 or higher | HES201 | 3 |
| Technical Writing | 400 or higher | ENG111 | 3 |
GED Exams
If you’ve taken or plan to take the GED high school equivalency exam, Maricopa Community Colleges may award credit for subject area scores designated as College Ready + by the American Council on Education. Students must submit an ACE Credit recommendation transcript to the Admissions and Records Office/Office of Student Enrollment Services to be awarded credit. The credit awarded and equivalent courses are established by the Maricopa Instructional Councils (ICs).
Test scores are continually reviewed and may be updated at any time. Changes will be noted as they occur.
| GED Subject Exam | Score | Maricopa Community Colleges Equivalency | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 175-200 | See Math department chair for course placement | See Math department chair |
| Reasoning through Language Arts | 175-200 | HUMELC | 3 |
| Science | 175–200 | PHSELC | 3 |
| Social Studies | 175–200 | POSELC | 3 |