AP Exam Dates and Registration Deadlines for 2026

In 2026, regular AP testing will take place in May, with exams scheduled for May 4–8 and May 11–15. Planning ahead for AP exam dates and registration deadlines in 2026 is essential, as AP exams are offered only once per year and administered nationwide by the College Board.

This guide clearly outlines official exam dates, registration deadlines, and key planning considerations to help you prepare with confidence and stay on track for May testing.

• When Can You Take the AP Exams?
• Official AP Exam Dates for 2026
• Late Testing Dates for AP Exams
• How to Register for AP Exams
• Get Expert Help Preparing for AP Exams
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Can You Take the AP Exams?

AP exams are administered once per year, typically over two weeks in May, with additional late testing dates offered afterward for students with approved conflicts. For 2026, regular AP testing will take place from May 4–8 and May 11–15, with late testing available later in May.

Students who are enrolled in AP courses usually register and test through their high schools, while homeschooled and independent students are also eligible to take AP exams by arranging to test at a nearby school or authorized testing center that administers them. AP exams are offered internationally as well.

Colleges and universities use AP exam scores—ranging from 1 to 5—to award college credit, allow students to place out of introductory courses, or both, depending on the institution’s policies.

Because AP exams are offered only once each year, students should plan ahead and coordinate early with their school or testing center to ensure proper registration through the College Board.

AP exam registration deadline

The College Board’s official AP timeline sets a standard registration deadline in the fall, often in mid-November. For the 2026 exam cycle, schools must submit their AP exam orders by around November 14–15, 2025, which is the final deadline for coordinators to order exams without late fees.

Here’s how registration works: students don’t directly register with the College Board. They work with their school’s AP coordinator, who collects course enrollments and payments and then places a bulk order for exams on behalf of all students.

Because your school sets its own internal deadline for submitting your order—and that deadline is typically earlier than the College Board’s mid-November cutoff—you must commit and register early in the school year to make sure your spot is secured. Many schools, for example, set a deadline in October or early November for students to sign up and pay.

If a student misses the initial registration deadline, it might still be possible to get added to the AP exam order, but this almost always involves a late registration fee and is at the discretion of the school. Schools can sometimes request late orders up to mid-March but they typically charge an extra fee for late changes or late sign-ups.

Official AP Exam Dates for 2026

The College Board sets the AP exam schedule well in advance. For 2026, exams will be administered over two main weeks in May. Early testing or testing at times other than those published is not permitted, and late‑testing dates are provided for students who cannot test during the regular weeks.

Each day has a morning session (beginning between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time) and an afternoon session (beginning between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time). The tables below summarize the officially scheduled exams. Times are local to the testing site and may vary slightly within the allowed start window.

Week 1: May 4 – May 8, 2026

Week 2: May 11 – May 15, 2026

Performance task and portfolio deadlines

For 2026, April 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET) is the deadline for AP Seminar and AP Research performance tasks and for the Create performance task in AP Computer Science Principles.

AP Art and Design students must submit their three portfolio components by Friday, May 8, 2026 (8 p.m. ET).

Late Testing Dates for AP Exams

Late testing allows students who cannot sit for an AP exam on the scheduled date to take an alternate version at a later time. To maintain exam security, the College Board requires schools to administer alternate exam forms, which must be ordered by the AP coordinator through the official AP registration and ordering system.

Late testing is approved when circumstances beyond a student’s or school’s control prevent regular testing and usually carries no additional fee if the reason meets College Board guidelines and is properly documented. Approved reasons include:

• Conflicts with academic or athletic competitions
• IB or Cambridge exams
• State-mandated tests
• Multiple AP exams scheduled at the same time
• Delayed exam shipments
• Digital testing issues
• Disability accommodation problems
• Emergencies or school closures
• Religious observances
• Serious illness or family emergencies
• Graduation conflicts
• Exam disruptions that require a makeup

Additional fees apply only in limited situations, such as retesting after an exam security violation. Students must work with their AP coordinator to request late testing and provide documentation when changing an exam order.

The College Board publishes a separate schedule for late testing. Each exam day offers a morning session (exams must start between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time) and an afternoon session (start between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time). Students must follow the published times; early testing or testing at other times is not allowed.

Week 1: Monday–Wednesday, May 18–20, 2026

Week 2: Thursday–Friday, May 21–22, 2026

Since alternate forms are used for late testing, regular exam materials cannot be substituted. Students should only request late testing when one of the approved circumstances applies and should provide documentation as required by their school.

If two of your AP exams are scheduled for the same time, you can still register for both. Ask your AP coordinator about taking one during the late‑testing period.

How to Register for AP Exams

Below is a clear walkthrough to help you understand exactly what to do, whether you’re enrolled in AP courses or registering independently.

Step 1: Enroll in an AP course or identify a testing school.

If your high school offers AP courses, your first step is simply to enroll in the course as part of your schedule. Schools that administer AP exams will handle the exam order process through their AP coordinator. You’ll still need to join the online section later.

Students who are homeschooled, in online programs that don’t offer AP exams, or whose school doesn’t administer AP exams must find a nearby school or testing center that does. You should look up the AP Course Ledger to find a school that offers the exams you want, then contact that school’s AP coordinator to arrange to take the exam there.

Step 2: Join your AP class section in My AP.

Log in to My AP using your College Board account. This is the same account you use for AP scores, SAT, or PSAT. Your AP teacher or AP coordinator gives you a join code for each AP class or “exam only” section. This code links you to your specific course/exam in the system.

In My AP, click “Join a Course or Exam,” enter each join code, and confirm that the course info is correct. If you’re not enrolled in the course (for example, self-study), the AP coordinator at the school where you’re testing will provide a join code for an “exam only” section, which you use the same way in My AP.

Step 3: Confirm exam orders and submit payment.

After you join your class or exam section in My AP, you may see a “Register” button in the class view. Selecting it signals to your AP coordinator that you plan to take the exam, though some schools register students automatically when sections are created.

AP exam fees are not paid directly to the College Board. Instead, your school collects payment and submits it on your behalf, so check with your AP coordinator for your school’s payment process. Fees, deadlines, and potential late charges are set each year, with schools typically submitting orders by the College Board’s fall deadline. Financial assistance may be available for eligible students, with details varying by year and location.

Step 4: Request accommodations or late testing if needed.

Students with documented needs (e.g., extended time, large-print materials, etc.) must apply for accommodations through the College Board Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) well before exam time. Schools typically help with submitting these requests and supporting documentation. Approval timelines can take several weeks, so start early.

If there’s a valid reason you need to take an exam after the regular testing window (e.g., conflict with another exam), you may request late testing through your AP coordinator. Schools have to order late tests and follow College Board guidelines, which may include additional deadlines and fees. Confirm details with your coordinator early in the year.

Get Expert Help Preparing for AP Exams

Preparing for AP exams calls for strong content mastery, smart strategy, and consistent guidance. Admissionsight’s AP Exam Preparation and Tutoring Program is designed to help students build a deep understanding of college-level material, refine exam-specific strategies, and approach May testing with confidence.

Through personalized, one-on-one instruction, our expert tutors reinforce key concepts, address individual challenges, and strengthen performance across both multiple-choice and free-response sections. Students who complete our AP tutoring frequently see meaningful gains in comprehension and results, with many earning scores of 4 or 5. This achievement can strengthen college applications and lead to potential college credit.

With customized study plans and support from the first session through exam day, our program provides the structure, expertise, and accountability you need to perform at your highest level.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you take AP exams if you are not enrolled in an AP class?

Yes. You can take AP exams without being enrolled in an AP class by registering through a school that offers the exam, often as an “exam-only” student, including self-studying, homeschooled, or independent students.

2. When is the deadline for AP exam registration?

The standard AP exam registration deadline is mid-November of the school year (exact dates are set annually by the College Board). Schools submit exam orders by this deadline.

3. Can I register late for an AP exam?

Yes, but late registration is subject to additional fees and availability, and not all schools allow it. You must coordinate directly with your AP coordinator.

4. What are late testing dates for AP exams?

Late testing dates typically occur one to two weeks after the regular May exam window and are reserved for approved conflicts such as illness or overlapping exams.

5. How do I register for AP exams as a homeschool or independent student?

You must contact a local school that administers AP exams, request permission to test there, obtain an exam-only join code, and complete registration through My AP with that school’s AP coordinator.

Takeaways

• Unlike standardized tests offered multiple times a year, AP exams are administered only once annually, typically over two weeks in May.
• Early planning allows you to commit to AP Exams by the fall registration deadline, pace your course preparation effectively, and ensure your scores are ready for college credit consideration and senior-year academic planning.
• If you want to treat AP exams as part of a strategic college application plan, a college admissions expert can help you choose the right exam timing, build an efficient study plan, and maximize scores, while ensuring your AP results strengthen your overall admissions profile.