AP exam registration & cost — how to sign up and what you pay
AP exam registration runs through your school, not a website you sign up on yourself. This guide covers how to register, what AP exams cost, the fall ordering deadline, late fees, and how to pay less if money is tight.
How AP exam registration works
You do not sign up for most AP exams on your own. Your school’s AP Coordinator orders exams through the College Board, and your job is to tell them you intend to take each one.
The steps happen inside My AP. You join each class section with a join code from your teacher, then set your exam registration for that course to Yes. Homeschooled students, and anyone whose school does not offer a given exam, arrange testing at a participating school instead, which you find by contacting AP Services in the fall.
How much do AP exams cost?
The base fee is set by the College Board, and your school may add a little on top.
Registration deadlines and late fees
The standard ordering deadline falls in the autumn. For full-year and first-semester courses you generally register by your school’s November deadline, while spring-only courses have a later cutoff. Schools set their own internal deadline, often earlier than the College Board’s, so confirm the date with your coordinator early.
Miss the deadline and the College Board adds a late order fee of about $40 per exam. If you register and then do not test, or cancel late, there is usually a $40 fee for the unused exam as well. Deciding early and committing is the cheapest path.
Fee reductions and help paying
Cost should not be the reason you skip an exam. The College Board reduces its fee by about $36 for students who qualify based on financial need, and many schools, districts, and states cover the rest, so eligible students often pay little or nothing.
Ask your AP Coordinator whether you qualify and what your school covers. The savings are real and easy to miss if you never ask.
Late testing and makeup exams
If you have an exam conflict, an illness, or an emergency, the College Board runs a late-testing window with alternate dates, arranged through your AP Coordinator. Approved late testing usually carries no extra fee, but it is meant for genuine conflicts, not for choosing a more convenient date.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers, written by humans.
How much does an AP exam cost?
About $99 per exam at most schools in the United States and Canada, higher internationally, and more for the AP Capstone exams. Fees can change each year, so confirm the current amount with your AP Coordinator.
How do I register for an AP exam?
Through your school. Join your class sections in My AP with a join code, set your exam registration to Yes, and your school’s AP Coordinator places the order with the College Board.
When is the AP exam registration deadline?
The standard ordering deadline is in the fall, usually November for year-long and first-semester courses. Schools often set an earlier internal deadline, so check with your coordinator.
Is there a late fee for AP exams?
Yes. Ordering after the deadline adds a late fee of about $40 per exam, and not testing after you register can also bring a $40 fee for the unused exam.
Can I get help paying for AP exams?
Yes. The College Board offers a fee reduction of about $36 for students with financial need, and many schools and states cover the rest. Ask your AP Coordinator if you qualify.