Pre-Matriculation Credits

Pre-matriculation credits are credits you may have earned from certain scores on advanced placement and SAT II examinations, scores on examinations of certain international diplomas, or college courses you may have taken prior to matriculating at Tufts. Pre-matriculation credits are treated as regular course credits and accepted toward fulfilling your degree requirements.

  • Arts and Sciences BA/BS students can have a maximum of 5 pre-matriculation course equivalencies regardless of credits. 
  • Arts and Sciences BFA students can have a maximum of 4 credits for Studio Art pre-matriculation test credit, and the equivalent of up to two non-studio pre-matriculation course equivalencies, regardless of Semester-hour units. 
  • Engineering students can have a maximum of 27 credits of pre-matriculation credit. 

Please note, if a student elects to take the equivalent course at Tufts, the exam credit will be removed upon completion of the course. This applies only to scores for which departments award credits.

The following exam equivalencies are only applicable to the incoming class matriculating in the Fall of 2023. For all other class years, please refer to the Tufts Bulletin. Incoming students should keep the following points in mind:

Abbreviation Test Name
AP Advanced Placement
SAT SAT I
SAT II SAT Subject Tests
A-level British General Certificate of Education
FB French Baccalaureate
IB-HL International Baccalaureate Higher Level
IB-SL International Baccalaureate Subsidiary Level

Anthropology

Exam

Score

Credit

Equivalent

A-level A, B 3.0 ANTH 0010
IB-HL 6,7 3.0 ANTH 0010

Art History

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
AP 4,5 3.0 FAH 0330

Biology

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 5.0 BIO AP Equivalent to BIO 13 or BIO 14
A-Level A, B 5.0 BIO AC Equivalent to BIO 13 or BIO 14
IB- HL 6, 7 5.0 BIO AC Equivalent to BIO 13 or BIO 14

Chemistry

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 10.0 CHEM 0001 & 0002 Lose credit if CHEM 11 & 12 are taken
  (5) 5.0 CHEM 0001 If CHEM 0002 or 0012 is taken at Tufts
A-Level A 10.0 CHEM 00001 & 0002 Exempt from CHEM 0001 & 0011
  (A) 5.0 CHEM 0001 If CHEM 0002 or 0012 is taken at Tufts
  B 5.0 CHEM 0001 Lose credit if CHEM 11 is taken
IB/HL 7 10.0 CHEM 0001 & 0002 Lose credit if CHEM 0011 & 0012 are taken
  (7) 5.0 CHEM 0001 If CHEM 0002 or 0012 is taken at Tufts
  6 5.0 CHEM 0001 Lose credit if CHEM 11 is taken

Chinese

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
AP 5 0.0 CHNS 0004
  4 0.0 CHNS 0003

Classics

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
A-level A, B 3.0 CLS AC
IB-HL 6,7 3.0 CLS AC

Computer Science

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP  4, 5 3.0 COMP 0005 Either COMP A or CSP. If both exams are taken, only one credit is awarded.Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements
A-level A, B 3.0 COMP 0005 Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements
IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 COMP 0005 Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements

Economics

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes

AP

5 3.0 EC AP Student should enroll in EC 0005
  5/5 7.0 EC 0005 and EC AP If both Macro and Micro AP
A-level A, B 7.0 EC 0005 and EC AC  
IB-HL 6, 7 7.0 EC 0005 and EC AC

English

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 3.0 ENG 01/2

Exempt from Writing Requirement

  4 3.0 ENG 0001  
A-level A 3.0 ENG 01/2 Exempt from Writing Requirement
  B 3.0 ENG 0001
General Paper Exam (A- Level) A 3.0 ENG 01/2

Exempt from Writing Requirement

  B 3.0 ENG 0001
IB/HL 7 3.0 ENG 01/2

ENG A Lang & Lit, ENG A Lit

Exempt from Writing Requirement

  6 3.0 ENG 0001 ENG A Lang & Lit, ENG A Lit

Environmental Science

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 4, 5 3.0 BIO 0007 Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements
A-level A, B 3.0 BIO 0007 Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements
IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 BIO 0007 Both HL and SL
Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements

Film

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
IB - HL 6, 7 3.0 FMS 10  

French

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 4.0 FR 0021  
  4 0.0 FR 0004  
  3 0.0 FR 0003  
SAT 770-800 4.0 FR 0022  
  720-760 0.0 FR 0021  
  660-710 0.0 FR 0004  
  590-650 0.0 FR 0003  
  500-580 0.0 FR 0002  
  420-490 0.0 FR 0001  
A-level A 4.0 FR 0021  
  B 0.0 FR 0004  
IB/HL 7 4.0 FR 0021 FR A Lang&Lit, FR B
  6 0.0 FR 0004 FR A Lang&Lit, FR B
  5 0.0 FR 0003 FR A Lang&Lit, FR B
IB/SL   0.0   Take Placement Exam
FB 12-20 4.0 FR 0122  

German

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 4.0 GER 0021
  4 0.0 GER 0004
  3 0.0 GER 0003
SAT 770-800 4.0 GER 0022
  720-760 0.0 GER 0021
  660-710 0.0 GER 0004
  600-650 0.0 GER 0003
  490-590 0.0 GER 0002
  410-480 0.0 GER 0001
IB/HL 7 4.0 GER 0021 GER A Lit&Lang and GER B
  6 0.0 GER 0004 GER A Lit&Lang and GER B
  5 0.0 GER 0003 GER A Lit&Lang and GER B

Hebrew

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
SAT 770-800 4.0 HEB 0022
  720-760 0.0 HEB 0021
  660-710 0.0 HEB 0004
  600-650 0.0 HEB 0003
  490-590 0.0 HEB 0002
  410-480 0.0 HEB 0001

History

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 4, 5 3.0 HIST AP A max of 6.0 Semester Hour Units are awarded
A-level A, B 3.0 HIST AC  
IB-HL  6, 7 3.0 HIST AC  

Human Geography

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
AP 4, 5 3.0 ANTH AP

Italian

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 0.0 ITAL 0004  
  4 0.0 ITAL 0003  
  3 0.0 ITAL 0002  
SAT 770-800 4.0 ITAL 0022  
  720-760 0.0 ITAL 0021  
  660-710 0.0 ITAL 0004  
  590-650 0.0 ITAL 0003  
  500-580 0.0 ITAL 0002  
  420-490 0.0 ITAL 0001  
IB-HL 7 4.0 ITAL 0021 ITAL A Lit&Lang, ITAL B
  6 0.0 ITAL 0003 ITAL A Lit&Lang, ITAL B
IB-SL       Take placement exam

Latin

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
AP 5 3.0 LAT 0003
IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 LAT 0003

Mathematics

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP AB 5 4.0 MATH 0032  
  4 4.0 MATH 0032 No credit for Engineering students.
AP BC 5 8.0 MATH 0032 & 0034  
  4 4.0 MATH 0032  
  3 4.0 MATH 0032 Rule for A&S, with AB subscore of 4 or 5
Mathematics A-level A 4.0 MATH 0034 Math 32 for Engineering students.
  B 4.0 MATH 0032  
IB-HL 7 8.0 MATH 0032 & 34 Analysis & Approaches Applications & Interpretation
  6 4.0 Math 32 Analysis & Approaches Applications & Interpretation

Music

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 5 0.0 N/A See Department for placement
A-level A, B 3.0 MUS AC See Department for placement
IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 MUS AC See Department for placement

Physics

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP Physics 1 5 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students
  4 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students
AP Physics 2 5 5.0 PHY 0002 No credit for Engineering students
AP Physics B 5 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students
  4 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students
AP Physics C (M) 5 5.0 PHY 0011 Lose credit if PHY 1 is taken
  4 5.0 PHY 0011 Lose credit if PHY 1 is taken
AP Physics C (E) 5 5.0 PHY 0012  
A-level A 5.0 PHY 0002 No credit for Engineering students
  B 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students
IB-HL 7 5.0 PHY 0002 No credit for Engineering students
  6 5.0 PHY 0001 No credit for Engineering students

Political Science

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 4, 5 3.0 PS AP

Max of 3 credits and one course equivalent for multiple exams.

Cannot be used toward the major

A-level A, B 3.0 PS AC

Max of 3 credits and one course equivalent for multiple exams.

Cannot be used toward the major

IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 PS AC

Max of 3 credits and one course equivalent for multiple exams.

Cannot be used toward the major

Psychology

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 4, 5 3.0 PSY 0001  
A-level A, B 3.0 PSY 0001  
IB- HL 6, 7 3.0 PSY 0001

Sociology

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
A-level A, B 3.0 SOC 0001
IB-HL 6,7 3.0 SOC 0001

Spanish

Exam Score Credit Equivalent  
AP 5 0.0 SPN 0004  
  4 0.0 SPN 0003  
  3 0.0 SPN 0002  
  2 0.0 SPN 0001  
SAT 770-800 4.0 SPN 0022  
  720-760 0.0 SPN 0021  
  660-710 0.0 SPN 0004  
  590-650 0.0 SPN 0003  
  500-580 0.0 SPN 0002  
  420-490 0.0 SPN 0001  
IB-HL 7 0.0 SPN 0021  SPN A Lang&Lit, SPN A Lit, SPB B
  6 0.0 SPN 0003 SPN A Lang&Lit, SPN A Lit, SPB B
  5 0.0 SPN 0002 SPN A Lang&Lit, SPN A Lit, SPB B
IB SL 6, 7 0.0 SPN 0002 SPN A Lang&Lit, SPN A Lit, SPB B
  5 0.0 SPN 0001 Take Placement

Statistics

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP 4, 5 3.0 MATH 0021
 
Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements
A-level A, B 3.0 MATH 0021
 
Awards general credit for EN; Does not satisfy SoE course requirements

Studio Art 

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
AP  4, 5 4.0 SMFA AP 
 
 
A-level A, B 4.0 SMFA AC  
IB-HL 6, 7  4.0 SMFA AC

Theater

Exam Score Credit Equivalent
A-level A, B 3.0 TPS AC
IB-HL 6, 7 3.0 TPS AC

Visual Arts

Exam Score Credit Equivalent Notes
IB-HL 6, 7 4.0 SMFA AC  

How Do I Send My AP, IB, and/or A-Level Scores to the Registrar?

AP Scores

Check if you’ve sent your AP scores to Tufts University

  1. Go to www.collegeboard.org and sign in using your College Board username and password. (See a screenshot of step 1)
  2. Click "AP Scores" at the top of the screen. (See a screenshot of step 2)
  3. Click "Your past score orders" at the top of the screen. (See a screenshot of step 3)
  4. Under "My Scores Sent to Colleges," check to see if "Tufts University" is listed under “Institution.” (See a screenshot of step 4)
  5. If Tufts University is listed, check to make sure a “Send Date” is listed.
  6. If Tufts University is not listed, follow the steps below to send your scores to Tufts.

Send your AP scores to Tufts University

  1. Go to www.collegeboard.org and sign in using your College Board username and password. (See a screenshot of step 1)
  2. Click "AP Scores" at the top of the screen. (See a screenshot of step 2)
  3. Click on “Send Scores to Colleges Now.” (See a screenshot of step 3, sending scores)
  4. A confirmation box will pop up reminding you that there will be a fee associated with sending your scores. Check the box that says “I have read this notice and want to send my score(s) using this service,” and then click "Continue." (See a screenshot of step 4, sending scores)
  5. In the search box, enter Tufts University code "3901," and then click "Continue." (See a screenshot of step 5)
  6. Click the orange plus sign to select Tufts University, and then click "Continue." (See screenshots: orange plus sign"Continue" button)
  7. Choose your "Delivery Speed & Fee" from the drop down menu. Review the information on the page, and then click "Continue." (See a screenshot of step 7)
  8. Review or enter your billing and payment information, and then click "Submit."

Please note: AP scores must be from the College Board in order to be processed by the Registrar for potential Transfer Credit. The Registrar cannot accept your paper records of your AP test scores.

IB Scores

Order details

  1. Visit https://rrs.ibo.org/replacement_order/index.cfm
  2. Under "results requests," select “Request for results to Institutes of higher education.”
  3. Under "transcript related information," select "UNITED STATES" as the institute country, "MASSACHUSETTS" as the institute state, and "TUFTS UNIVERSITY" as the institute.
  4. Click “Add transcript request.” This will add a line reading “Tufts University - UNITED STATES - MASSACHUSETTS - http://www.tufts.edu” under “Your current requests.”
  5. Enter the CAPTCHA text.
  6. Continue onto the next step.

Contact details

  1. Fill in the “Contact details” section with your personal information
  2. Fill in the “IB details” section with the information of the scores you would like to send
  3. Indicate whether or not you require a receipt with your order
  4. Be sure to tick the box which confirms you have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the IB organization
  5. Continue onto the next step.

Confirm details

  1. Confirm the details that you have entered
  2. Continue onto the next step.

Make payment

Enter the information for your means of payment. You may pay with a debit or credit card.

British A-Levels

Request that the accredited General Certificate of Education agency send a copy of your certificate to Student Services:

Dowling Hall
Student Services Center
419 Boston Avenue
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155

Please note: Arts and Sciences (BA/BS) students can have a maximum of 5 test credits, Arts and Sciences (BFA) students can have a maximum of 1 studio test credit and 2 academic test credits, and Engineering students can have a maximum of 27 Semester-hour units (SHUs).