What's the deal with AP late exams?

I have a conflict on one of my AP exam dates and I found out about late exams. Can someone explain the process of how AP late exams work? Are there any extra fees involved? And do colleges treat scores from late exams any differently than scores from the regular test dates? Thanks for any info you can provide!

AP late exams, also known as alternate exams, are designed for students who, due to scheduling conflicts or other issues, cannot take the regular AP exam on the designated testing date. To take an AP late exam, you'll need to coordinate with your school's AP coordinator as soon as you're aware of the conflict. They will assist you in registering for the late exam and provide you with information on the alternate testing date and location.

There is an additional fee for late exams, which is currently $40 per test. This fee is on top of the regular exam fee, so you'll essentially pay twice for the exam. However, the College Board does offer fee reductions for eligible students, so if the cost is a concern, you can inquire with your AP coordinator about possible financial assistance.

As for how colleges treat AP late exam scores, it's important to note that the late exams are equivalent in content and difficulty to the regular exams. As a result, colleges make no distinction between scores achieved on late exams and those achieved on the regular test dates. When you submit your AP scores, colleges will simply see the scores themselves and not whether they were from a late or regular administration.

In summary, while taking an AP late exam does involve some extra fees and coordination, your scores will be treated no differently by colleges. Just be sure to communicate with your school's AP coordinator to ensure a smooth process and to avoid any potential registration issues. Good luck on your AP exams!