AP Exams are typically conducted every year in May, with a limited number of makeup sessions in late May or early June (known as "late testing").
There is no official limit to the number of times you can take an AP Exam. If you wish to improve your score, you can retake it in the next available year.
There are no strict eligibility criteria for taking AP Exams. Any student who feels prepared can register, whether they are enrolled in an AP course or self-studying. Students from all boards (CBSE, ICSE, IB, IGCSE, State Board) can take AP exams..
Each AP Exam typically includes two sections:
Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)
Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs)
The exact structure and timing vary by subject. For example, AP Calculus has both calculator and non-calculator parts, while AP English focuses on essays and reading comprehension.
Yes, but only in specific sections of certain exams like AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry.
Make sure to bring a College Board–approved calculator, and check each subject’s guidelines for usage rules.
General questions
AP Exams are scored on a 1 to 5 scale:
5 – Extremely well qualified
4 – Well qualified
3 – Qualified
2 – Possibly qualified
1 – No recommendation
Colleges often award credit for scores of 3 or higher, depending on the institution’s policies.
Most AP Exams are paper-based and are taken in-person at authorized test centers.
However, for certain AP courses or during exceptional situations (such as the pandemic), digital testing may be offered, in which case students need a laptop or desktop with internet access.
Yes, students can request to cancel their AP scores by submitting a written request to the College Board before June 15 of the testing year.
Canceled scores will not be sent to colleges and will not appear on any score reports.
You can send your AP scores directly to colleges through your College Board account.
One free score report is included with your AP Exam registration if you designate a college by the June 20 deadline. Additional reports can be sent for a fee.
The AP Exam fee for students testing outside the U.S. is generally higher than for domestic test-takers.
As of 2025, the standard fee is approximately $98–$143 per exam, depending on the test center and location. Fee reductions may be available for eligible students.
You can send your AP scores directly to colleges through your College Board account.
One free score report is included with your AP Exam registration if you designate a college by the June 20 deadline. Additional reports can be sent for a fee.