Many students wonder if they can take an AP exam again to improve their score. The good news: yes, you can retake AP exams — but there are specific rules, costs, and considerations to keep in mind before doing so.
This guide covers:
- Whether retakes are allowed
- When you can retake
- How scores are reported to colleges
- Key pros and cons of retaking an AP test
Can You Retake an AP Exam?
- Yes — you can retake any AP exam in a future year
- There is no limit on the number of attempts
- Each attempt requires a separate registration and exam fee
When Can You Retake?
- Retakes can only be done during the next official AP testing window in May
- The College Board does not offer makeup tests outside the scheduled late-testing dates
- If you miss this year’s exam entirely, you must wait until the following year to retake it
How Are Retake Scores Reported to Colleges?
- Your College Board score report will show all AP scores from every year you tested
- You can request score withholding to prevent a lower score from being sent
- You can also request score cancellation to remove an unwanted result entirely
Costs for Retaking
- Standard AP exam fee: Around $98 (U.S.) or more internationally
- Fee waivers may apply if you qualify for financial aid
- You’ll also need to register through your school or an authorized AP test center
