A complete guide to AP exams

Key takeaways

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• AP exams are advanced tests for high school students in the Arts, English, Social Sciences, Math, Sciences, World Languages, and more.
• The tests are scored between 1 and 5 – if you earn higher than a 3, you could receive credit towards your college degree.
• AP exams are administered in early to mid-May, with students receiving their scores in early July to mid-August.

Advanced Placement (AP) exams are administered by the College Board for high school students. They’re available in a wide array of subjects, from Statistics to World History: Modern and if you score well, you could even receive credit towards your college degree. Most students register for the AP class before the exam but it’s not required. Keep reading to view our complete guide to AP exams to learn about how much an AP exam costs, when AP scores come out, and more.

What are AP exams?

Advanced Placement (AP) exams measure how well you know a particular subject, such as English Literature and Composition, Psychology, and Microeconomics. Most students take the test after they’ve completed a high school AP course on the subject but you don’t actually have to take the class to register for the exam. They’re only available to high school students, including those attending homeschool.

Here’s what to expect:

• The tests are administered by the College Board.
• AP exams are scored on a 1 – 5 scale, with 5 being the highest and 1 the lowest.
• Scoring a 3 is usually considered a passing grade.
• Exams have two sections: multiple choice and free response.
• The length of each section depends on the subject. For example, humanities exams tend to have longer free response sections.
• Multiple choice questions usually have four to five options.
• Free response sections can be written, spoken, or both – you may write an essay, display your language skills, or develop solutions to problems.
• Some subjects require portfolios rather than tests.

Can you earn college credit with AP Exams?

Yes, you can earn college credit with AP exams if you score high enough. You can’t receive credit if you only take the AP course without the test or portfolio.

Colleges only consider a 3 or higher for credit. A 4 or higher is often good for 1:1 credit or more, while a 3 is typically good for at least elective credits.

Here’s an example scenario of three students bound for the same college that sat for the AP English test and how their scores may translate.

• The first student earns a 5. They receive six credits for English 101 and 102. They’re eligible to take English courses during their first year of college that require 101 and 102 as prerequisites.
• The second student receives a 3. They earn three elective credits in Humanities. They have to retake English 101 and 102 during their first year of college.
• The third student scored a 2. They won’t receive any credit towards their undergraduate degree and have to retake English 101 and 102 in college.

Exactly how credits are awarded vary by college and subject. For instance, Florida State University students who earn at least a 3 on the AP Calculus – AB exam receive credit for taking Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (MAC 2311), which is worth four credits. It gets more complicated in other subjects – here’s a look at how FSU translates scores to classes for the AP Chemistry test:

• Score of 3: You receive four credits for Chemistry for Liberal Studies and Laboratory (CHM 1020 and 1020L).
• Score of 4: You earn four credits for General Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHM 1045 and CHM 1045L).
• Score of 5: You receive eight credits for General Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHM 1045 and CHM 1045L) and General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHM 1046 and CHM 1046L).

You can learn how your AP scores translate before you enroll in college. Many schools have AP catalogs online, which explain test equivalencies in detail. If your college doesn’t have one posted, reach out to the admissions department for more information.

AP exams FAQ

Before you register for your first AP exam, here are answers to some questions you may have.

Do I have to take the AP exam after the AP course?

No, you don’t have to take the AP exam after you complete an AP course; you can opt out of the test. You won’t receive any college credit but they’re still an excellent way to showcase academic rigor.

Do I have to take the AP course in order to take the AP test?

No, you don’t have to take the AP course in order to take the AP test. For example, a student who speaks Spanish fluently might want to take the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam even though they never took the relevant AP class.

If you’re taking the exam without the class, you need to study. There are plenty of prep materials available online, in bookstores, and at libraries. However, if you’re not familiar with the subject, you should probably take the course. The AP class is designed to prepare you for the exam.

What AP subjects have exams?

The following AP subjects have AP Exams:

• African American Studies
• Art History
• Biology
• Business with Personal Finance
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Chemistry
• Chinese Language and Culture
• Comparative Government and Politics
• Computer Science A
• Computer Science Principles
• Cybersecurity
• English Language and Composition
• English Literature and Composition
• Environmental Science
• European History
• French Language and Culture
• German Language and Culture
• Human Geography
• Italian Language and Culture
• Japanese Language and Culture
• Latin
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Music Theory
• Physics 1: Algebra-Based
• Physics 2: Algebra-Based
• Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Physics C: Mechanics
• Precalculus
• Psychology
• Seminar
• Spanish Language and Culture
• Spanish Literature and Culture
• Statistics
• US Government and Politics
• US History
• World History: Modern

Some courses may also require performance tasks.

Which AP classes require portfolios instead of a test?

Not all AP classes have an end-of-year exam. Some require a portfolio, including these:

• 2-D Art and Design
• 3-D Art and Design
• Drawing
• Research

Some courses may also require performance tasks.

How do I register for an AP exam?

If you’re taking the relevant AP course, you can register for an AP exam by signing into your My AP College Board account, joining your class section, and registering for the exam by clicking the “Register” button. You may be automatically registered (you won’t see a button in this case).

If you’re not in the AP class, you’ll need to talk to the AP subject’s coordinator at your school or a neighboring school to register for the test.

How much does an AP exam cost?

In 2026, AP exams started at $99. If you register after November 15, you may have to pay a late fee. This table breaks down potential costs and fees:

You might be able to pay less per exam if you have demonstrated financial need or potentially avoid fees. Talk to your teacher for more information.

When are AP testing dates?

AP exams are in early to mid-May, over a roughly two-week period. In 2026, tests started with the AP Biology on May 4 and ended with AP Computer Science A on May 15. Exams were held at 8am or 12pm.

You may have to submit portfolios or performance tasks before testing begins, depending on the subject.

If you have two AP tests at the same time or unique circumstances which prevent you from taking the exam, you can request late-testing dates. Talk to your teacher to schedule your second exam.

You can see the current AP test schedule and calendar on the College Board.

How long are AP tests?

AP tests are between 2 hours and 3 hours and 15 minutes long, with most averaging around 3 hours. The shortest AP tests are Chinese Language and Culture and Japanese Language and Culture.

Each test has a break between the multiple choice and free response sections.

When do AP scores come out?

AP scores start to come out in early July. In 2026, students can view their results beginning on July 6 through their College Board account. All results should be out by the end of the month but it could take until August 15 to see your test scores.

If you haven’t received your AP results by August 15, contact the AP Services for Students.

You can view current score release timelines and more information on the College Board.

Can I retake an AP exam?

Yes, you can retake an AP exam if you’re still in high school. However, they’re only offered in May, so you’ll have to wait a year to sit for it again.

Tips for taking the AP exam

If you have an AP test on the horizon, follow these tips to potentially improve your score:

• Pay attention in class. Your AP class is there to help you do well on the exam! Make sure to show up, pay attention, ask questions, get involved, and take notes.
• Study outside of the classroom. For many students, the class alone won’t be enough to help you ace your AP test. Study outside of class, reviewing your notes. Consider working with an AP tutor or joining a study group.
• Take AP practice tests. One of the best ways to prepare for the AP exam is to take practice exams – just like you would for the ACT or SAT. You’ll get better acquainted with the material, time restrictions, and formatting.

How will you do on the AP test?

Play your cards right and the AP exam can equal college credit saving you hundreds of dollars on tuition. If you sit for and pass enough tests, you could even graduate with your undergraduate degree a semester or year early.

Colleges look for academic rigor in their students. Even if you don’t sit for the AP exam, just taking the class can look amazing on your college application. If you want to see how you stack up against other AP students at your dream school, check out our College Match tool today.