Hey folks, I'm not quite sure how AP exams work. Is there like a specific set of dates when they occur? And if so, what are the exam schedules normally like? Do they vary from school to school or are they standardized? I would appreciate any feedback. Cheers!
AP exams are typically scheduled during the first two weeks of May each year. This rule is strict and is the same for all schools across the United States and internationally. This means the test dates are standardized and do not vary from one school to another.
The exams are held over a series of days within this two-week period and are divided into morning and afternoon sessions. On each test day, there will be one or two exams administered in the morning, starting at 8 a.m., and one or two in the afternoon, starting at noon. Each exam typically lasts around 3 hours, with a scheduled break in-between.
However, specific exam dates will vary each year, and the exams you take may not all happen in the same week. The College Board, the organization that administers the AP exams, publishes the dates for the exams in advance, so students have ample time to prepare. You can access these dates on the College Board's official website.
Please remember, while the normal testing schedule is in May, if there are any extreme circumstances such as natural disasters or global pandemics, the College Board may adjust testing procedures or dates accordingly. Also, for students with special accommodations or those who miss the initial exam due to legitimate reasons, there may be late or makeup test dates scheduled usually in a week later in May.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.