Note also the distinction between:
- Credit units toward the number needed for graduation.
- Subject credit to fulfill major or general education requirements.
- Advanced placement.
An AP score may give some subset of the above at one college and a different subset of the above at some other college. A higher AP score on the same AP test may change some, all, or none of the above at the same college.
For example, here is UCLA L&S AP credit listing: https://admission.ucla.edu/admitted-students/ap-credit-the-college . An example to consider is AP calculus BC. While a score of 3 or higher gives 8 quarter units of credit, the subject credit (and implied advanced placement beyond the listed courses) varies by score. A score of 3 gives only generic “calculus” subject credit, a score of 4 gives MATH 31A credit, and a score of 5 gives MATH 31A and 31B credit. Note also that this page says that “AP credit does not satisfy General Education requirements.”