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Yes, there are exams called advanced standing exams which are held during orientation. If you pass an advanced standing exam, you receive credit for that GIR as if you took it at MIT. The most common ASEs that people take are for GIRs, although they’re offered for a wider range of classes.</p>
<p>In addition, high scores on some AP exams will get you credit for certain GIRs. Most notably, a 4 or 5 on Calc BC earns you credit for 18.01, and a score of 5 on both parts of Physics C earns you credit for 8.01.</p>
<p>It’s also possible to earn credit for courses that you took elsewhere as a high-schooler, as long as the transfer credit examiner determines that the course you took was substantially equivalent to the MIT version.</p>