Additional Information on External Exams

These charts identify how SMCCCD applies AP, IB, and CLEP credit to associate degree general education area requirements, CSU GE areas, and IGETC areas in the same manner as the CSU system applies AP, IB, and CLEP credit to CSU GE area requirements.

Issues around credit for external exams are complex. Where there is common use for general education areas as noted above, the application of units for admission, the use of external exams to meet major requirements, and more, is complex and specific to the receiving transfer institution.

Each transfer institution determines if or how external exam results are applied. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with a counselor for assistance.

References to use for information about external exams are:

California State University, retrieved 4/12/2021

Standards, Policies and Procedures for Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum Version 2.1, June 2020

University of California, retrieved 4/6/2021

CCC Chancellor’s Office: Memo Code AA 17-20: Policy Change: Advanced Placement Credit, March 30, 2017

Refer to the college catalog of your transfer destination to learn more about how external exam credit is applied on that campus.