Testing · 2026–2027
AP exam registration.
Schools have to order AP exams by November 13, 2026. Here’s how signing up works, what it costs, and when the May 2027 exams are.
By Lokesh Pampatti, founder of Clarity Prep · Updated October 18, 2026
Deadline: your school orders exams by November 13, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET. Cost: $99 per exam in the U.S. Exams: May 3–14, 2027. Scores: July 2027.
How to register
- Sign in to My AP with your College Board account (the same one you use for the SAT and PSAT).
- Join your class section with the join code your teacher gives you. Join each AP class separately.
- Tell your school you’re taking the exam. Many schools ask you to pay or confirm by a date in October.
- Your school’s AP coordinator orders the exam. You don’t order it yourself on College Board’s site.
Taking an exam without the class? Ask your AP coordinator for an exam-only section before November 13. Spring-semester courses that start after November 13 have until March 12, 2027.
What it costs
| Exam fee, U.S. and Canada | $99 |
|---|---|
| Exam fee, other countries | $129 |
| Late order (after Nov 13) | +$40 |
| Canceled or unused exam (after Nov 13) | $40 |
| Fee reduction for financial need | −$37 |
College Board’s fees for 2027 exams. Some schools charge a little more to cover proctoring, and many states and districts pay part or all of the fee. Your AP coordinator knows what your school charges.
Key dates for 2026–27
- October 2, 2026: College Board’s preferred date for schools to order (many schools’ student deadlines are around here)
- November 13, 2026: final ordering deadline without the late fee
- March 12, 2027: last day for spring-course orders and changes
- April 30, 2027: AP Seminar, Research and CSP performance tasks due
- May 3–7 and May 10–14, 2027: AP exams
- June 20, 2027: last day to pick the college for your free score send
- July 2027: scores released
Do AP scores matter for college?
Your AP classes and grades matter more than the scores. Colleges see them on your transcript, and course rigor is rated “very important” by many selective colleges on their Common Data Set (see any college page). Scores can earn college credit once you’re in, and you choose which ones to report on most applications.
Sources: AP 2026–27 Key Dates and Deadlines and 2027 AP Exam Fees, College Board, checked October 18, 2026.
Questions
When is AP exam registration due?
Your school has to submit AP exam orders by November 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Most schools set an earlier date for students, often in October, so ask your AP coordinator.
How do I register for an AP exam?
Join your class section in My AP with the join code from your teacher, then tell your school you’re taking the exam. Your school’s AP coordinator places the order. You don’t sign up on College Board’s site the way you do for the SAT.
How much does an AP exam cost?
In 2027 each exam costs $99 in the U.S. and Canada and $129 elsewhere. Orders after November 13 add a $40 late fee, and an exam you cancel after that date costs $40. Students with financial need can get a $37 reduction per exam, and many states and schools cover more.
When are AP exams in 2027?
May 3–7 and May 10–14, 2027, with late testing May 17–21. Scores come out in July 2027.
Should I report a 3 on an AP exam?
Reporting AP scores on applications is usually optional. Most students list 4s and 5s. A 3 is a passing score and often fine to list, but at the most selective colleges some students leave it off. The class and grade are on your transcript either way.
Can I take an AP exam without taking the class?
Yes. Ask your school’s AP coordinator to add you to an exam-only section before the November 13 deadline. If your school doesn’t offer that exam, College Board’s course and exam pages explain how to find another school that does.
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