What score do I need on the AP Physics exam to get college credit?

It depends on the college, but most universities require a 4 or 5 on the AP Physics 1 exam for credit. Some less selective schools accept a 3.

Score requirements by school type

School type	Typical minimum score	Notes
Selective universities (Ivy League, MIT, Stanford)	5	Some only accept AP Physics C, not AP Physics 1
State universities	4 or 5	Usually grants intro physics credit
Community colleges	3	Most generous credit policies

There's no universal rule. Each college sets its own AP credit policy. To find out what your target school requires, search for "[school name] AP credit policy" - most universities publish a detailed table.

Should you use the credit or retake the course?

If you get a 5, you've mastered the material and can move on to more advanced physics courses.

If you get by with only a 3 or a 4, you probably don't truly understand the material. Even if a college grants you credit for these scores, you might want to retake the introductory physics course anyway if you're going into engineering or a physical science. Having that stronger foundation helps in later courses.

On the other hand, if your major isn't in science or engineering and you just need to check a requirement box, any credit is good, even if you don't fully understand all the material.

Aiming for a 5

If you're aiming for a 5, PhysicsGraph offers a score guarantee. Complete our test-prep course before the exam and we guarantee you get a 5, or you get a full refund.