How Many College Credits Can You Get from the IB Diploma?

🎓 1. How IB Credit Policies Work in Practice

• Most universities award college credit only for Higher Level (HL) IB exams, typically requiring a score of 4–7.
  Some institutions also offer credit for Standard Level (SL) exams—as low as 3 credits per SL exam.
  (International Baccalaureate®, The Scholarship System)
• The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends awarding at least 3 college credits for acceptable HL/SL scores (≥ 4).
  (International Baccalaureate®)

📊 2. Sample Credit Awards from Real Universities

• University of California system:
  • IB Diploma holders (≥30 points) receive 6 quarter units (≈4 semester credits) for the diploma.
  • Additional HL exams scored ≥5 may earn 24 quarter units (16 semester units).
    (University of California Admissions)
• Oregon State University (OSU):
  • IB Diploma (≥24 points) may translate to up to 45 credits and sophomore standing, with SL & HL scores ≥4 eligible.
    (pps.net)
• SUNY schools (state of New York):
  • Accept IB Diplomas of 24+ points and typically award up to 30 college credits.
    (revisiondojo.com)
• Some Ivy League Policies:
  • Yale may grant up to 24 credits, equivalent to two years of coursework.
  • Harvard may give just 8 credits, despite high IB scores.
    (revisiondojo.com)

🧩 3. How Many Credits Can You Actually Get?

Score Setup Estimated Credits Diploma ≥ 30 & multiple HL ≥5 ~16–24 semester credits Diploma ≥24 with fewer HLs Estimated ~8–15 semester credits SL subjects only (≥4) 3 credits/subject × number of SL courses High Ivy-specific threshold May drop to ~8 total credits, despite HL scores

Policy varies widely by university, region, and whether you're an international student.
(revisiondojo.com, International Baccalaureate®, revisiondojo.com)

🧠 4. Why It Matters: Faster Graduation & Course Flexibility

• Earning credit for HL IB exams can allow you to skip introductory courses, reduce your course load, or start a double major early.
• Some colleges grant sophomore standing or waive general education requirements for full diploma holders with sufficient points.
  (The Scholarship System, pps.net)

✅ 5. How RevisionDojo Helps Maximize Credit Potential

• Jojo AI flashcards & quizzes ensure you master HL content and achieve higher IB scores.
  🔗 Track your progress with Jojo AI
  (revisiondojo.com)
• Paper banks and targeted practice help you excel in strong HL areas and reach score thresholds for credit qualification.
  🔗 Explore IB practice papers
  (revisiondojo.com, revisiondojo.com)
• University application support helps you select colleges with generous credit policies based on HL performance.
  🔗 Guide to applying to colleges with IB credit
  (revisiondojo.com)

🧭 Final Thoughts

Yes—you can earn substantial college credit through IB, especially with high HL scores (≥5). Credits range from 8 to 24 or more, depending on university and exam scores. Even those with minimal credit can benefit from accelerated coursework and the strong preparation IB provides.

📣 Call to Action

• Use RevisionDojo’s Jojo AI and exam-style flashcards to improve your HL subject scores.
• Research target university IB credit policies to plan your course choices wisely.