The College Board has officially released the schedule for the 2026 Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Mark your calendars: the exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 4–8 and May 11–15.
Important Note on Start Times
Morning exams begin between 8 and 9 a.m. local time, and afternoon exams begin between 12 and 1 p.m. local time. Check with your school's AP coordinator for exact reporting locations.
Week 1 Schedule (May 4–8)
| Date | Morning (8-9 AM) | Afternoon (12-1 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, May 4 | Biology, Latin | European History, Microeconomics |
| Tue, May 5 | Chemistry, Human Geography | US Govt & Politics |
| Wed, May 6 | English Literature & Comp | Comparative Govt, Physics 1 |
| Thu, May 7 | World History: Modern | Statistics, African American Studies |
| Fri, May 8 | US History | Macroeconomics, Chinese/Italian |
Week 2 Schedule (May 11–15)
| Date | Morning (8-9 AM) | Afternoon (12-1 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, May 11 | Calculus AB, Calculus BC | Seminar, Music Theory |
| Tue, May 12 | French, Precalculus | Psychology, Japanese |
| Wed, May 13 | English Language & Comp | German Language & Culture |
Digital Portfolio Deadlines
Don't forget these crucial submission dates. All deadlines are 11:59 p.m. ET unless otherwise noted:
- April 30, 2026: AP Seminar, AP Research, and AP CSP Create performance tasks.
- May 8, 2026 (8 p.m. ET): AP Art and Design digital portfolios.
Late-Testing Schedule
If you have a valid scheduling conflict (such as two exams at the same time), you may be eligible for late testing. The late-testing window runs from Monday, May 18 through Friday, May 22, 2026.
⚠️ Late Testing Important Notes
Late testing uses different exam versions, but the content and difficulty level remain consistent with the regular administration. You cannot simply choose to take a late exam—you must have an approved conflict.
Always confirm your specific late-testing schedule with your AP coordinator. Don't assume availability without proper authorization from your school.
Exam Day Essentials: What to Bring
You've put in the work—now it's time to execute. Here's your complete checklist to ensure exam day goes smoothly:
✓ Must-Have Items
- Two No. 2 pencils with erasers: Required for all multiple-choice sections. Mechanical pencils are not recommended.
- Two pens with black or dark blue ink: For free-response questions. No gel pens or erasable ink.
- Approved calculator (if applicable): Check your specific exam's calculator policy. Make sure batteries are fresh!
- Analog watch: To help you pace yourself. Smartwatches and any electronic devices are strictly prohibited.
- College Board student pack: If provided by your school, this contains your AP ID label.
- Photo ID: Some schools may require this for verification.
- Water and snacks: Keep them outside the testing room until breaks. Stay hydrated and energized.
✗ Leave These at Home
Having any of these items can result in your exam being invalidated and your score canceled:
- Cell phones, smartphones, or any mobile devices
- Smartwatches or fitness trackers
- Highlighters, colored pencils, or correction fluid/tape
- Unapproved calculators or calculator manuals
- Notes, books, or study materials of any kind
- Scratch paper (provided by the testing center if needed)
🎯 Game Day Strategy
- Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam starts. This gives you time to find your seat, settle your nerves, and avoid rushing.
- Listen to all instructions: The proctor will provide critical information about timing, breaks, and procedures. Don't miss anything.
- Read questions carefully: Take your time to understand exactly what's being asked before you start writing. Misreading the question is one of the most common mistakes.
- Manage your time wisely: Stick to your pacing strategy. If you get stuck, move on and return later if time permits.
- Use the process of elimination: On multiple-choice questions, eliminate obviously wrong answers first to improve your odds.
- Show your work: On FRQs, even if you're not sure about the final answer, partial credit is awarded for correct methodology.
Start practicing your FRQs now to ensure you're ready for May. Consistent practice is the only way to lock in that 5!