AP Exam Dates, Registration, Deadlines, Score Release, Late Registration & Fee Waivers 2025

The Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, organized by the College Board, are standardized assessments that evaluate students’ proficiency in college-level coursework across various disciplines. By excelling in these exams, students can earn college credit, gain advanced placement, and enhance their university applications.

Every year, students from around the world take AP Exams in subjects ranging from Mathematics to Science, Humanities, and Languages. Achieving strong results on these exams can help students save both time and money by allowing them to bypass introductory college classes. However, it’s important for students to understand the registration steps, deadlines, fees, and score release procedures to ensure a smooth experience.

This guide offers a thorough overview of the 2025 AP Exams, including important AP Exam dates, registration guidelines, late testing options, score release details, and information on available fee waivers. With this information, students will be well-equipped to plan for the upcoming exams.

AP Exam Dates 2025

The 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams will be held across two weeks in May:

Week 1: May 5–9, 2025

Week 2: May 12–16, 2025

The exams will be scheduled at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. local time.

Standard Exam Schedule: 

Important Reminder: Students taking AP Art and Design courses must submit their portfolios by 8 p.m. ET on Friday, May 9, 2025.

Late Testing Dates: If you’re unable to attend the exams during the primary testing period due to valid reasons such as personal conflicts or emergencies, late testing will be available from May 19–23, 2025.

Note: Late testing may come with specific requirements and potential additional fees. Make sure to discuss your situation with your school’s AP coordinator for more details about eligibility and how to apply for late testing.

Please be aware that the schedule for exams may change. Always confirm details with your AP coordinator or check the official College Board website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Additionally, in May 2025, 28 of the AP Exams will be available in digital format via the Bluebook testing app. If your exam will be digital, it’s important to confirm the details and understand how the digital testing process works beforehand.

Careful planning and staying informed about the exam schedule will help ensure you’re ready. Double-check your registration to confirm you’re enrolled for the correct AP Exam dates and prepared for any digital formats.

AP Exam Registration 2025

Registering for Advanced Placement (AP) Exams is a crucial step in showcasing your readiness for college-level coursework. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the registration process for the 2025 AP Exams.

1. How to Register

Through Your School: AP Exams are typically administered by high schools. Students should contact their school’s AP coordinator to register. The coordinator will provide information on available exams, fees, and the registration process.

If Your School Doesn’t Offer AP Exams: Students whose schools do not offer AP Exams can arrange to take them at a neighboring school willing to accommodate external students. To do this, reach out to AP Services for Students via email at apstudents@info.collegeboard.org or by phone at 888-225-5427 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada) or 212-632-1780. They can assist in locating schools that administer AP Exams to external students. Once a school is found, their AP coordinator will guide you through the registration process. It’s essential to start this process early to meet all deadlines. 

2. Registration Deadlines

School Order Deadline: The College Board has set November 15, 2024, as the deadline for schools to submit their exam orders. However, individual schools may establish their own earlier deadlines for students to register. It’s imperative to confirm specific AP Exam dates with your school’s AP coordinator to ensure timely registration. 

3. Late Registration

After November 15: If you miss your school’s registration deadline, contact your AP coordinator immediately. While some schools may accommodate late registrations, they are not obligated to do so. Late orders placed after November 15 may incur additional fees. The decision to accept late registrations and the associated fees are at the discretion of the school. 

4. Steps to Register

Enroll in AP Courses: Begin by enrolling in AP courses offered at your school. This ensures you’re adequately prepared for the exams.

Join AP Classroom: Within the first few weeks of class, sign in to AP Classroom to join your AP class section online. This platform provides valuable resources and is essential for exam registration.

Confirm Exam Registration: Discuss with your AP coordinator to ensure you’re registered for the desired exams. They will provide details on fees, schedules, and any preparatory sessions.

5. Important Notes

Fee Reductions: The College Board offers fee reductions for eligible students. Additionally, some schools and states provide further financial assistance. Inquire with your AP coordinator about available options.

Special Accommodations: If you require testing accommodations due to a disability, contact your school’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) coordinator well in advance to ensure necessary arrangements are made.

Stay Informed: AP policies and procedures can change. Regularly consult the official College Board website and maintain communication with your AP coordinator to stay updated.

Timely and accurate registration is vital to ensure a smooth AP Exam experience. Begin the process early, adhere to all deadlines, and utilize available resources to prepare effectively.

AP Exam Fees and Fee Waivers for 2025

When preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) Exams, understanding the associated costs and the financial assistance options available is crucial. Below is a breakdown of the AP Exam fees for 2025, along with the available fee reduction programs.

1. AP Exam Fees

Domestic AP Exams: For students taking exams in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools, the fee is $99 per exam.

International AP Exams: For students taking exams outside of the aforementioned regions, the fee is $129 per exam.

AP Seminar and AP Research Exams: These exams are priced at $147, regardless of where they are taken.

These fees are set by the College Board, but individual schools might add extra administrative fees. It’s always a good idea to contact your school’s AP coordinator to clarify the exact fee structure that applies to you.

2. Fee Reductions and Assistance

Students facing financial challenges may qualify for a fee reduction. The College Board offers a $37 reduction per exam for eligible students. In addition, certain states, school districts, and schools may provide extra financial assistance to further reduce the cost. To apply for a fee reduction:

Consult with Your AP Coordinator: They will explain the eligibility criteria and the steps you need to follow to apply for the reduction.

Submit Proof of Financial Need: Be ready to provide the necessary documentation confirming your financial status, as requested by your school or district.

Meet Application Deadlines: It’s important to submit your fee reduction request well before the registration deadline to ensure the discount is applied to your fees.

For further details on fee reduction programs and other regional financial assistance options, you can refer to the College Board’s official website.

3. Payment Process

Typically, payments for AP Exams are handled through your school rather than the College Board. Your AP coordinator will provide instructions on how to make payments, including the accepted payment methods and the deadlines for submitting your payment. Keep in mind that if you miss the payment deadline, your exam registration may be canceled.

4. Additional Fees

In addition to the standard exam fees, there may be other charges to keep in mind:

Late Order Fee: If you register for an AP Exam after your school’s registration deadline but before November 15, there may be a late order fee. Any exams ordered between November 16, 2024, and March 14, 2025, for full-year or first-semester courses will incur this fee. However, this fee does not apply to students who transfer to a school after November 15 or to those enrolled in courses that begin after this date. Some schools may also impose their own late registration fees, so it’s best to confirm with your school’s AP coordinator.

Unused or Canceled Exam Fee: If you decide not to take an exam after registering for it, your school may charge you a fee for canceling the exam or not showing up.

The amount for these additional fees can vary depending on the policies of your school, so always confirm with your AP coordinator.

By understanding the fees and financial assistance available for AP Exams, you can avoid any surprises and ensure a smooth registration process.

AP Exam Score Release and Reporting 2025

Knowing when and how to access and send your AP Exam scores is crucial for making informed decisions about your academic plans. Below is an overview of the process for score release and reporting for the 2025 AP Exams.

1. Score Release Timeline

AP Exam scores are generally available in July. For 2025, scores will be accessible online during this month. The College Board will send you an email notification once your scores are ready. Be sure to keep your contact information updated in your College Board account to receive notifications promptly.

2. Accessing Your Scores

To view your AP Exam scores, follow these steps:

1. Log into Your College Board Account: Head to the College Board website and sign in with your username and password.

2. Go to ‘My AP’: Once logged in, click on the ‘My AP’ tab to access your score report.

3. View Your Scores: Your AP score report will show all the exams you’ve taken, along with your corresponding scores.

If you’ve forgotten your login details, use the recovery options on the sign-in page to reset your account.

3. Sending Scores to Colleges

Each year, you can send one free score report to a college, university, or scholarship program of your choice. To take advantage of the free report:

Deadline: Make sure to select your score recipient by June 20, 2025, to ensure your chosen institution receives your scores by early July.

If you need to send scores to additional schools or miss the June 20 deadline:

Request Additional Reports: You can order extra score reports for a fee of $15 each. These reports will typically be sent out within 5–9 business days, depending on processing times and the recipient’s location.

4. Score Cancellation and Withholding

If you prefer not to send a particular AP score to a college or want to cancel it altogether:

Withholding Scores: You can request that specific scores be withheld from being sent to certain institutions. This doesn’t erase the score from your record but ensures it’s excluded from the reports sent to those schools.

Canceling Scores: If you wish to permanently remove a score from your record, you must submit a score cancellation request. Once canceled, the score cannot be reinstated.

Both withholding and cancellation require you to submit specific forms by the appropriate deadlines. For detailed instructions and access to these forms, refer to the College Board’s official AP Score Reporting Services page.

By understanding the AP score release and reporting procedures, you can make strategic choices about which schools receive your scores and manage your exam results effectively.

AP Exam Retakes and Special Considerations for 2025

1. Retaking AP Exams

If you are looking to improve your AP exam score, you may retake the test in future years. Keep in mind, retakes can only be taken during a subsequent year’s exam cycle and not within the same year. Each retake requires a new registration and payment.

2. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may apply for accommodations through the College Board to ensure they have equal access to the AP exams. To do so, students need to submit a request through their AP coordinator and provide all necessary documentation. The review process can take several months, so it’s important to submit requests well in advance. Accommodations can include extended testing time, extra breaks, or different exam formats, depending on the needs of the student.

3. Exam Invalidations

In some situations, the College Board may invalidate an AP exam. This typically occurs if there are issues like cheating or other disturbances during the exam. If an exam is invalidated, the score will not be reported, and the student will be informed by the College Board.

4. Missing an Exam Due to Unexpected Circumstances

If you miss an exam because of illness or an emergency, you should notify your AP coordinator immediately. While the possibility of a makeup exam exists, it is not guaranteed. Additionally, makeup exams may differ in both format and timing from the originally scheduled exam.

AP Exam Results and College Credit for 2025

1. How AP Scores Influence College Credit

Many universities and colleges offer academic credit or allow students to skip introductory courses if they achieve a qualifying score on AP Exams. While the standard threshold for receiving credit is a score of 3, each institution may have its own policy regarding what score is necessary to earn credit. For certain subjects, schools might require higher scores, such as 4 or 5, to be eligible for credit or placement.

2. AP Credit Policies by College

Each college establishes its own set of rules for granting AP credit. To determine how your AP scores might impact your college credit, you should review the school’s AP credit guidelines, often available through the admissions office or posted on the institution’s website. Some universities even provide accessible databases where prospective students can check specific AP subjects and the corresponding credit policies.

3. Course Placement and Credit for High AP Scores

Some schools offer the possibility of skipping introductory courses or advancing to higher-level coursework based on strong AP performance. For example, achieving a score of 5 in AP Calculus may allow you to bypass the introductory calculus course and proceed to a more advanced class. It’s important to confirm with the college directly regarding their procedures for awarding credit and the specific courses they may exempt based on AP results.

4. Restrictions on AP Credit

Not every college accepts AP credits, and certain institutions may impose limits on the number of AP credits they will award. Before relying on AP scores for credit, it’s essential to check the institution’s policy to understand any restrictions. Some schools may accept AP credits only for particular courses or set additional conditions for granting credits based on AP results.

Score Cancellation and Withholding

1. Canceling AP Exam Scores

If you choose not to send your AP Exam scores to any colleges or wish to retract a score after taking the exam, you have the option to cancel it within a set time frame.

Cancellation Deadline: To cancel a score, you must submit your request by June 15, 2025. After this deadline, the score will be finalized, and you will no longer be able to cancel it.

How to Cancel a Score: You can cancel a score by completing the AP Score Cancellation Form, which can be downloaded from the College Board website. After filling out the form, submit it by mail or fax to AP Services. Keep in mind, this action is final and cannot be undone.

Cancellation Fee: There is no charge for canceling an AP score, but the exam fee itself is non refundable.

2. Withholding AP Exam Scores

If you prefer not to send a particular AP score to a college but don’t want to cancel it completely, you can request a withholding.

How to Withhold a Score: To withhold a score, log in to your College Board account, download the AP Score Withholding Form, and submit it via mail or fax to AP Services. You can specify which institutions will or will not receive your scores.

Withholding Fee: The cost to withhold a score is $10 per score for each college or scholarship program.

Processing Time: Your withholding request will typically be processed within 15 business days from the date of receipt.

3. Things to Keep in Mind Before Cancelling or Withholding

College Score Submission Policies: Some colleges may require that all AP Exam scores be submitted, even if you choose to cancel or withhold certain scores. Be sure to review the admissions requirements for each institution to which you’re applying.

Impact on Admissions Decisions: Choosing to cancel or withhold a score can influence the admissions process. Some colleges may favor applicants with a complete set of AP scores, as it demonstrates a consistent academic record, while others may understand your decision if it’s made for valid reasons.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating the AP Exam process can open doors to advanced placement, college credit, and a more efficient path through higher education. By understanding AP Exam dates, registration steps, fees, and score release timelines, students can ensure they’re fully prepared for the exams ahead. Whether you’re aiming for college credit or simply showcasing your academic abilities, careful planning and timely action are essential to a smooth AP experience. Be sure to stay informed, meet deadlines, and take advantage of available financial assistance to make the most of your AP journey.