AP Late Testing Dates & Eligibility Guide

You prepared all year for your AP exams, and you may have a few questions. What do you do if you realize you have two AP exams scheduled for the same day and time? What happens if you get sick right before the time to sit the exam? Being home and sick with the flu is what student nightmares are made of!

It’s tempting to panic. But there’s no need to. Missing the original AP exam date doesn’t mean you don’t get to take it. The College Board has already determined the upcoming year’s AP late testing dates. They set these dates early to allow for things like illness, schedule conflicts, and emergencies.

This guide explains everything you need to know about AP late testing for 2026, including dates, who qualifies, and what to expect.

Key Takeaways

• AP late testing runs from May 18–22, 2026, one week after regular exams

• Students with exam conflicts, illness, religious holidays, school errors, or emergencies may qualify

• Your AP coordinator handles late testing requests—talk to them as soon as possible

• Late testing does not affect your score, college applications, or score release date

What Is AP Late Testing?

AP late testing is an official backup exam time set by the College Board (opens in a new tab).

It is not a retake and not an option if you simply want more study time. It’s only for students who truly cannot take their exam on the scheduled date.

Late exams use different versions of the test, but they cover the same material and are scored the same way.

Common reasons for late testing include:

• Two AP exams at the same time

• Being sick or injured on exam day

• A religious holiday

• Required school events (sports, academic competitions, trips)

• Family emergencies

• Technical problems with digital exams

• School scheduling mistakes

The College Board sets AP Late testing dates in case students have serious time conflicts with the original testing date.

AP Late Testing Dates for 2026

Late testing dates in 2026 are from Monday, May 18, through Friday, May 22, 2026.

Your AP coordinator will confirm your exact reporting time and location.

Who Is Eligible for Late Testing?

The College Board has specific criteria for late testing eligibility (opens in a new tab). When you are ordering and registering for a late exam, you’ll need to give a reason for late testing. If what caused you to need to reschedule was beyond your control and the control of your school, you won’t be charged an extra fee. Most reasons for late testing won’t have a fee. 

However, if you have a reason other than the ones pre-approved by the college board, you may have to pay an extra $40 fee per exam. 

Here are reasons you may be allowed to reschedule a late test without needing to pay an extra fee:

Exam Conflicts

If two of your AP exams are scheduled at the same time, one must be moved to late testing. If you have a scheduling conflict with national or state-mandated tests, you can schedule late testing. 

Illness or Injury

If you are seriously sick or injured on exam day, you may qualify. You may be asked for a doctor’s note.

Religious Holidays

If your exam falls on a religious holiday you observe, you can take the exam during late testing. Tell your coordinator as early as possible.

School Closings or Events

Required school activities like state competitions, graduation, athletic, or academic events may qualify. Just having personal plans does not.

If your school is closed due to an election, national holiday, or a natural disaster, you will need to reschedule your AP exam.

Family Emergencies

Events like the death of an immediate family member qualify for late testing. Your coordinator will handle this privately.

Technical Problems

If a digital AP exam fails due to system or device issues beyond your control, late testing may be approved.

Emergencies or School Closures

Natural disasters, bomb threats, fires, or school closures automatically qualify students.

How to Request AP Late Testing

You don't request late testing directly through the College Board. Your school's AP coordinator handles everything.

Here's the process step by step:

Step 1: Contact Your AP Coordinator Immediately.  As soon as you know you cannot take the AP exam on the scheduled date, inform your AP coordinator.

Step 2: Explain Your Situation. Clearly describe why you need late testing. Be honest and provide specific details. Your coordinator needs to understand whether your reason meets the College Board criteria.

Step 3: Provide Documentation. Gather any supporting documentation. This might include:

• Medical notes or doctor's certificates

• Letters from religious leaders

• Official school event schedules

• Family emergency documentation

Your coordinator will advise what's required for your specific situation.

Step 4: Your Coordinator Submits the Request. Your coordinator will order the late test exam through the College Board's system. They'll also confirm the date, time, and location for your late test. There is a strict deadline for requesting late testing. In 2026, it has to be done by May 15.

Step 5: Confirmation. Once approved, your coordinator will notify you of your late testing details. Make sure you understand exactly when and where to report.

What to Expect on Late Testing Day

Late testing works almost exactly like a regular exam.

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early

• Bring ID, pencils, calculators (if allowed), or your College Board login

• Follow all normal AP exam rules

• The exam format, length, and difficulty are the same

You are not at an advantage or disadvantage by taking a late exam.

Late testing day works similarly to regular exam days, but with a few key differences.

Does Late Testing Affect Your AP Score or University Applications?

No. AP late testing doesn’t affect your score, and it’s not even shown on your college applications. The scoring is the same as regular AP exams, college officials will not know that you took them. 

Colleges don’t look at when you took an AP exam, they only have access to your scores. Late-testing scores are treated exactly the same by university officials. 

Tips for Preparing for a Late AP Exam

Preparing for a later AP exam is just the same as preparing for any AP exam. You will just have some extra time to prepare for the test. The test will be a different one than what was given on the regular testing date. But the information covered and difficulty will be the same. Late testing gives you a little extra time, but it also requires discipline.

Having structure keeps you accountable and reduces anxiety. Here's how to make the most of your extended preparation period:

• Avoid cramming. Just use it as extra time to review and strengthen weak areas.

• Practice released questions and mock exams.

• Stay in touch with your teacher or coordinator.

• Focus on more challenging questions.

• Practice both previous exam questions

• Maintain a study routine.

• Make healthy choices. Your ability to rest and be healthy affects performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AP late testing harder than the regular test?

No. Late tests are designed to be the same difficulty level as regular exams.

The College Board carefully develops alternate exam versions to ensure fairness. The content coverage, question types, scoring rubrics, and difficulty levels are the same as the other exams.

You're being tested on the same curriculum with the same standards. Taking a late test doesn't put you at any advantage or disadvantage.

How do I know if I qualify for late testing?

Talk to your AP coordinator. They're trained to evaluate situations against College Board criteria. If you have a genuine conflict, like exam scheduling clashes, documented illness, religious observances, or emergencies, you probably qualify.

Your coordinator will guide you through the process and clarify whether your situation meets the requirements. Don't assume you don't qualify. Ask.

When will I get my score if I take a late AP exam?

AP late testing scores are released in August. The main scores are released in July. Using alternate exams and extra time for processing them delays the release date. You should have them by mid-August. You’ll get an email notifying you that your scores are ready through your College Board account.

Can I choose to take the late test just to get more time?

No. You cannot just decide on AP late testing because you want to. There are specific reasons why you can reschedule to a later date. Your AP coordinator has to approve your request based on legit circumstances, and they have to explain that to the College Board. Late testing is only available for students with approved reasons.

Final Thoughts

AP late testing exists to give students a fair chance when circumstances prohibit them from taking the exam on the schedule date..

If something serious prevents you from taking your exam on the scheduled date, talk to your AP coordinator as soon as possible, explain your situation, and follow their instructions.

Late testing won’t hurt your score, your college applications, or your chances for AP credit. Stay organized, keep studying, and trust the process.

You’ve put in the work—now you still get the chance to show it, even if your exam happens a little later.

References

College Board AP Late Exam Dates 2026 (opens in a new tab)

College Board Late Testing Criteria (opens in a new tab)

College Board 2025 and 2026 School and Testing Timeline (opens in a new tab)