Check the Full AP Exam Schedule and Avoid Testing Day Surprises

Official AP Test Schedule: 2026 and 2027 Exam Weeks and Dates

High school students balancing multiple Advanced Placement courses know that planning ahead is essential. The College Board administers millions of exams worldwide each year, spanning two primary testing weeks in May followed by a dedicated late-testing window.

You can review the historical 2026 AP exam dates to understand standard sequencing or dive straight into future planning.

Week 1 and Week 2 Subject Dates for 2026

During the 2026 administration, subjects were divided into standard morning and afternoon blocks across the two-week testing window:

• Week 1 (May 4–8, 2026): Opened on Monday, May 4, with AP Biology in the morning slot. Tuesday, May 5, featured AP Human Geography at 8:00 AM and AP Chemistry in the afternoon. AP English Literature and AP US History anchored the middle and end of the week alongside AP Art History and AP Government subjects.
• Week 2 (May 11–15, 2026): Featured quantitative and stem-heavy subjects, beginning Monday with AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC in the morning. AP Computer Science Principles ran on Thursday, May 14, at 12:00 PM, while languages, physics streams, and social sciences rounded out the Friday schedule.

Complete 2027 AP Test Schedule and Daily Subject Breakdown

For the upcoming spring exams, testing follows a structured daily distribution. Check the official 2027 AP exam dates to confirm your exact subjects:

• Monday, May 3, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP Biology and AP Latin; Session 2 hosts AP European History and AP Microeconomics.
• Tuesday, May 4, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP Human Geography and AP Spanish Literature; Session 2 hosts AP Chemistry and AP Seminar.
• Wednesday, May 5, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP English Literature and Composition; Session 2 hosts AP Comparative Government and AP Computer Science A.
• Thursday, May 6, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP United States History; Session 2 hosts AP Macroeconomics and AP Psychology.
• Friday, May 7, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP United States Government and Politics; Session 2 hosts AP Art History and AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based.
• Monday, May 10, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC; Session 2 hosts AP Italian Language and Culture and AP Physics C: Mechanics.
• Tuesday, May 11, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP English Language and Composition; Session 2 hosts AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism followed by AP Environmental Science.
• Wednesday, May 12, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP French Language and AP World History: Modern; Session 2 hosts AP Music Theory and AP Statistics.
• Thursday, May 13, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP Spanish Language and Culture; Session 2 hosts AP Computer Science Principles.
• Friday, May 14, 2027: Session 1 hosts AP German Language and AP Japanese Language; Session 2 hosts AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based.

Critical AP Digital Portfolio Deadlines and Submission Rules

Students enrolled in courses with portfolio submissions or performance tasks face firm deadlines prior to or alongside pencil-and-paper testing. Procrastination is risky here: digital servers experience severe traffic spikes right before cutoffs, making early submission crucial.

Performance Task Due Dates for Seminar, Research, and CSP

For AP Seminar, AP Research, and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), performance tasks must be finalized in the AP Digital Portfolio by April 30 at 11:59 PM ET.

This includes:

• The AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task and written response components.
• The AP Seminar Individual Research Report (IRR) and Individual Written Argument (IWA).
• The AP Research academic paper and presentation scoring entries.

Ensure your teacher confirms your work is marked as “Final” well before the midnight deadline.

AP Art and Design and World Language Portfolio Deadlines

AP Art and Design students (encompassing 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, and Drawing) must submit their complete digital portfolios as final by May 7, 2027, at 8:00 PM ET (following the May 8 deadline in 2026). This cutoff includes all Selected Works images and Sustained Investigation text and visual documentation.

Students in AP World Language and Culture courses must also ensure that their Personalized Project References (PPR) or associated digital project materials are uploaded and marked final by April 30 at 11:59 PM ET so that references are available on exam day.

Late-Testing Windows and 2027 Start Time Adjustments

Testing conflicts happen, which is why an official late-testing window exists. The 2027 AP exam late-testing dates are set for May 17–21, 2027, using secure alternate exam forms.

Navigating Late-Testing Policies and Approved Conflicts

Late testing is not an optional fallback for extra study time. It requires coordination through your school’s AP coordinator.

Approved reasons for late testing generally include:

1. Conflict with another AP exam scheduled at the exact same session slot.
2. Verified athletic or academic state/national competitions.
3. Serious personal illness or medical emergency with documentation.
4. Religious observances.
5. School-wide emergencies or natural disruptions.

Your coordinator must order alternate exam versions in advance. Depending on the reason for late testing, the College Board may waive late-order fees (e.g., for direct exam overlaps or school conflicts) or assess an administrative fee for non-standard circumstances.

Session 1 and Session 2 Start Times by Time Zone

To prevent content leakage across time zones, the College Board implemented specific UTC-based start time structures. The detailed 2027 AP exam start times establish standard localized testing bands.

• Contiguous United States, Hawaii, and Canada: Most schools follow the standard schedule of Session 1 at 8:00 AM local time and Session 2 at 12:00 PM local time.
• Alaska (AKDT, UTC-08:00): Session 1 exams start early at 7:00 AM local time, while Session 2 exams begin at 11:00 AM local time.
• International Offsets: Schools operating in international jurisdictions (such as UTC+04:00 or UTC+05:30) have dedicated local start times ranging between 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM for Session 1 to ensure global exam security.

Schools have a one-hour administrative window to seat students and begin instructions, but students must always report based on their local school’s published arrival time.

Year-Round AP Timeline: From Registration to Score Release

Preparing for AP success is a year-long process. Consulting the official College Board AP calendar helps you stay on top of critical checkpoints.

Accommodations Deadlines and College Board Account Setup

Students with documented disabilities must secure College Board accommodation approval (such as extended time, large-print materials, or separate testing rooms) through Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).

• Account Setup & Class Enrollment: Every fall, log in to My AP (myap.collegeboard.org) and enter the unique join code provided by each AP teacher.
• Accommodations Deadline: The strict deadline for SSD coordinators to submit testing accommodation requests and supporting documentation is January 22, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET.

Mastering Your Testing Calendar: Action Steps for the AP Test Schedule

Navigating your testing schedule smoothly requires disciplined milestones:

1. Fall Registration (October–November): Confirm your exam order with your school before the early November cutoff to avoid late-order fees.
2. Winter Check-in (December–February): Review your registered subjects in your My AP dashboard and practice with digital exam interfaces via Bluebook test previews.
3. Spring Backward Planning (March–April): Build a 6-to-8-week study plan working backward from your specific test dates. Dedicate short, consistent 20-to-30-minute daily review sessions to identify weak points using an error log.
4. Submission Week (Late April–Early May): Finalize and submit all digital portfolios and performance tasks ahead of the April 30 and early May cutoffs.
5. Exam Weeks (May): Sit for your exams fully rested and prepared.
6. Score Verification (June–July): Submit your free score-send selection and await your scores in July.

Testing Day Checklist: What to Bring and What to Leave at Home

Arriving prepared reduces exam-day anxiety and prevents disqualification.

Approved Materials and Identification Requirements

Pack your test bag the night before with these mandatory items:

• Two sharpened No. 2 pencils with clean erasers (mechanical pencils are prohibited).
• Two black or dark blue ink pens for free-response sections.
• Up to two approved graphing calculators with fresh batteries (for AP Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, or Statistics).
• A valid school-issued or government-issued photo ID.
• An approved ruler (for AP Physics exams only).
• A simple, non-audible wristwatch to track your pacing.

Prohibited Electronic Devices and Security Protocols

Bringing unauthorized items into the testing room can lead to immediate dismissal and score invalidation:

• Cell phones, smartphones, and mobile devices (must be turned completely off and stored away).
• Smartwatches, fitness bands, and any internet-connected wearable tech.
• Mechanical pencils, correction fluid, and highlighters (highlighters are allowed on select subjects’ question booklets only; never on answer sheets).
• Separate scratch paper (scratch paper is built into the exam booklet or provided by proctors).
• Earplugs, headphones, or recording equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About AP Exams

When are AP scores officially released to students?

AP scores are officially released starting in early July (historically around July 6–8). Scores are accessible online through your College Board student account at myap.collegeboard.org.

How do I confirm my exact exam start time and testing room?

While the College Board sets universal morning and afternoon testing slots, high schools determine specific reporting rooms, designated testing wings, and check-in schedules. Contact your school’s AP coordinator or guidance department at least three weeks before testing to confirm your check-in time, building location, and room assignment. We recommend arriving 45 to 60 minutes before Session 1 or Session 2 starts.

What is the deadline to select my free score-send recipient or cancel scores?

Students can designate one university or scholarship organization to receive an official AP score report for free. You must submit your free score-send selection in My AP by June 20.

If you decide you do not want an exam scored, you can submit an official Score Cancellation form to the College Board. If submitted before scoring begins in June, the exam will not be scored at all; if submitted afterward, the score will be permanently removed from your record.

Conclusion

Staying ahead of official testing dates, digital portfolio cutoffs, and daily session guidelines ensures you can focus entirely on showcasing your hard work. Log in to your College Board dashboard, verify your registration details, and lock these dates into your calendar.

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