Exam Policies and Guidelines

All AP students deserve a fair and uniform testing experience, whether they are taking the exam in Connecticut, California, or China. To make sure this happens, we require exam takers to follow these policies and procedures.

Keep in Mind

You must agree, in writing, to follow our policies.

On exam day (or, when you submit your portfolio), you’ll acknowledge that you’ve read and agree to follow all the test security and administration policies and procedures listed in the 2023 AP Exam Terms and Conditions. We will send you reminders about reading the terms ahead of the exam administration.

You also must affirm security statements.

You will also need to sign the covers of your multiple-choice and free-response booklets, affirming statements related to the security of the exam.

If the policies aren’t followed, your exam score could be canceled.

If your testing does not adhere to the test security and test administration policies and procedures—even if it’s not your fault—College Board reserves the right to cancel your AP Exam score.

The penalty for cheating is serious.

If College Board finds that you have deliberately gained or attempted to gain or share an unfair advantage on any College Board test, or otherwise threatened the integrity of the test, we will prohibit you from taking the SAT or AP Exams.

FAQs

Although AP Exams are administered under strict supervision and secure conditions, misconduct or testing irregularities may occur. Please contact the Office of Testing Integrity as soon as possible if you observe behavior that is in violation of College Board’s test security and test administration policies or procedures. 

The AP Program charges a fee for each AP Exam—this can vary depending on the subject. Your school will help you submit any AP Exam fees you owe—you can’t pay on this website. Talk to your AP coordinator to find out what to do and learn more about costs here

If two of the exams you want to take are scheduled for the same time, ask your AP coordinator for information about taking one of the exams during the late-testing period. You may still register for both.

You are not permitted to bring food or drink, including bottled water, into the exam room (unless approved as an accommodation by College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities office). During the 10-minute break between Sections 1 and 2 of the exam, with the proctor’s permission, you can leave the exam room to get a drink of water or a snack.

You can take an AP Exam each time it’s offered. Exams are administered once a year in May. Your score report will include your scores for all the AP Exams you have taken unless you request that one or more scores be withheld or canceled.