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International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

GCC recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level (HL) Examinations. Students who have completed IB HL examinations with scores of 5 or higher (unless noted otherwise) may receive credit at GCC as indicated in the tables below. Credit awarded through IB exams may be used to satisfy GCC's General Education requirements or Cal-GETC requirements. Course credit is granted for IB exams if the division concerned has determined that the material covered is comparable to a specific course offered within that division. 

It is the student’s responsibility to petition for credit through the Admissions and Records Office. Credit awarded for IB exams shall not be counted toward the 12 semester units of credit in residence required to earn an associate degree. Credit for IB exams will only be granted during the fall and spring semesters to students who have successfully completed or are enrolled in at least 12 units at GCC.

Note: The awarding of IB credit for courses on the GCC transcript does not ensure their transferability to four-year institutions. Each college and university grants IB credit according to its own policy. GCC may grant more or less units of credit than the transfer institution awards. IB credit for the major may require higher scores or may not be accepted at all. Students planning to transfer should consult the catalog(s) of the transfer institution(s) to determine how IB credit is granted for the purpose of admission, general education, and the specific major prior to petitioning for credit. Students should speak with a counselor before taking a course that duplicates content covered in the IB exam, as they may not receive credit for both.

Unless otherwise noted, a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB Higher Level exam is required to earn credit. Students should speak with a counselor before taking a course that duplicates content covered in the IB exam, as they may not receive credit for both.

EXAM NAME
GCC GE AREA
GCC COURSE EQUIVALENT
TOTAL UNITS EARNED

Biology HL

5

BIOL 122

4 semester units

Chemistry HL

5

N/A

3 semester units

Computer Science HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Dance HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Design Technology HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Digital Society HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Economics HL

4

ECON C1002

3 semester units

Film HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Geography HL

5

GEOG 101

3 semester units

Global Politics HL

4

N/A

3 semester units

History (any region) HL

3 or 4

N/A

3 semester units

Language A: Literature HL

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3 semester units

Language A: Language and Literature HL

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3 semester units

Language B (any language) HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
2

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3 semester units

Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation HL

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
2

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3 semester units

Music HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

Philosophy HL

3

N/A

3 semester units

Physics HL

5

N/A

3 semester units

Psychology HL

4

N/A

3 semester units

Social and Cultural Anthropology HL

4

N/A

3 semester units

Theatre HL

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
3 semester units

Visual Arts HL

N/A

N/A

3 semester units

World Religions HL

3

N/A

3 semester units

A score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB Higher Level exam is required to earn credit. Students should speak with a counselor before taking a course that duplicates content covered in the IB exam, as they may not receive credit for both.

This chart is based on the most current information available. Although every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, please make sure to check the UC Policy on IB credits website, the CSU Systemwide Credit for External Exams website, and the latest version of the Cal-GETC Standards to verify the information. 

To determine how each UC and CSU campus awards IB credit, refer to the university's website and catalog.

Units listed are semester units.

EXAM NAME
CAL-GETC AREA
UNITS TOWARD CAL-GETC CERTIFICATION
UNITS FOR UC ADMISSION
UNITS FOR CSU ADMISSION

Biology HL

5B

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Business Management HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Chemistry HL

5A

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Computer Science HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Dance HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Design Technology HL

N/A

N/A

N/A

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Digital Society HL

N/A

N/A

N/A

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Economics HL

4

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Environmental Systems and Societies HL

N/A

N/A

N/A

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Film HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Geography HL

4

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Global Politics HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

History (any region) HL

3B or 4

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Language A: Literature HL

3B

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Language A: Language and Literature HL

3B

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Language B (any language) HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL

2

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL1

N/A

N/A

N/A

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Music HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Philosophy HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Physics HL

5A

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Psychology HL

4

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

Social and Cultural Anthropology HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Sports, Exercise and Health Science HL

N/A

N/A

N/A

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Theatre HL

3A

3 semester units/4 quarter units

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

Score of 4, 5, 6, or 7:
6 semester units

Visual Arts HL

N/A

N/A

5.3 semester units/8 quarter units

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

World Religions HL

N/A

N/A

N/A

6 semester units

(effective Fall 2026)

Where more than one area of Cal-GETC is possible, the IB exam may be used in either area (either Cal-GETC Area 3B or Cal-GETC Area 4) regardless of where the certifying CCC’s comparable course is located.  

Note: IB courses that have been discontinued are not shown on this table. A student with catalog rights may be able to use a now discontinued course if accepted under the directly comparable area of IGETC or under Cal-GETC at the time the course was taken.

1No UC credit is awarded for the Mathematics Applications and Interpretations exam offered 2021 and later.