AP/IB Policy
Students who have completed advanced work in physics before coming to Macalester can use that experience to get college credit and to place out of our introductory classes.
I. College Credit
The registrar currently administers the following rules regarding advanced work:
| Exam | Score | Credit |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 5
4 | Physics 226
Student may earn credit for PHYS-226 on completion of a more advanced course. |
| AP Physics C: E&M | 5
4 | Physics 227
Student may earn credit for PHYS-227 on completion of a more advanced course. |
| AP Physics 1, 2 | any | (not automatic) |
| Physics IB (H) | 5, 6, 7 | 8 credits of PHYS194 (College Physics) |
| A-levels (advanced exam) | 8 credits of PHYS194 (College Physics) |
II. Placement
The department may recognize advanced work for placement purposes even if no college credit is awarded. In practice, this amounts to waiving prerequisites for advanced courses. Placement decisions are made on an individual basis by the faculty member teaching the advanced course, in consultation with the chair.
The department uses the following guidelines for placement decisions:
| Exam | Score | May Skip |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 4,5 | Physics 226 |
| AP Physics C: E&M | 5 | Physics 227 |
| AP Physics 1, 2 | 5 | Physics 221, 222 |
| Physics IB (H) | 5, 6, 7 | Physics 226 |
| A-levels (advanced exam) | Physics 226 |