Can You Take an AP Exam Without Taking the Class?

Advanced Placement (AP) exams give high school students an opportunity to earn college credit and show they have mastery of college-level subjects. But what happens if your high school doesn’t offer an AP class you want to take? What if you just want to challenge yourself with harder work?

Can you take an AP exam without taking the class? This guide will tell you everything you need to know. 

Short Answer: Yes — But You’ll Need to Prepare on Your Own

The College Board (opens in a new tab), which administers AP exams, will allow students to take AP exams independently. You can take AP exams without taking the corresponding course. However, you’ll still need to register for the exam through a participating school. You can’t sign up through the College Board website, so you’ll need to find a school that will order the exam and set up testing arrangements for you.

Who Typically Takes AP Exams Without the Class?

Different students take AP exams without enrolling in any courses first. Here are some students who may choose to skip the classes and take the AP test.

• Home educated students. Home educated students use external resources or rely on self-study to prepare for their AP exams.
  

• Students whose schools don’t offer specific APs. Some schools have limited AP programs. If this is the case, you may need to pursue AP courses and exams on your own.
  

• Students looking to boost college applications with extra APs. Taking an extra AP exam shows that you have initiative and value academics.
  

• Independent learners or international students. Independent students and international learners use AP exams to demonstrate they are ready for college-level courses.

How to Register for an AP Exam Without Taking the Class

Even though you can take AP exams without taking the class, registration still follows a process. Here are the steps to register for an AP exam.

1. Find a nearby AP coordinator. Use the College Board’s AP Services for Students (opens in a new tab) to find a school or coordinator that will accept an external test-taker.
   

2. Contact the coordinator before the College Board's deadline. Most schools want you to contact them before November 15, which is the College Board’s usual fall registration deadline.
   

3. Pay exam fees and receive an AP ID and Join Code. The school will give you a Join Code, which allows you access to your AP classroom and manage your exam registration.
   

4. Use AP Classroom (if available). The College Board AP Classroom (opens in a new tab) allows you to track your progress and access resources.

How to Prepare for an AP Exam on Your Own

You will need to exercise a lot of self-discipline to prepare for AP exams. Self-studying for AP exams requires careful planning, plenty of resources, and dedication to the journey. Here is how to get started.

Use the Official Course and Exam Description (CED)

Every AP subject has a Course and Exam Description (opens in a new tab). You can download all the information about a test from the College Board website. It will outline all the study units, topics, skills, and question formats on the test. Start with this information, it will provide a blueprint to help guide your studying.

Practice with Past FRQs and MCQs

You can find free-response questions (FRQs) and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) via Save My Exams. Explore our AP page to learn more. 

Build a Study Schedule

Don’t wait until test time and then try to cram right before. You’ll want to spread your test prep out over the few months before the AP test. Here are some tips.

• Break the content into smaller, manageable pieces.

• Take time to review your progress every two to three weeks.

• Take full-length timed practice AP tests at least two or three times before your testing date.

• Start your prep early, 4 to 6 months before the exam date.

Which AP Subjects Are Easier to Self-Study?

Self-study with some effort can make any subject doable. However, some AP exams are easier to take on without the class than others. 

Easier to Self-Study: AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography

Moderate (require more in-depth reading/writing): AP U.S. History, AP Macroeconomics

Harder Without Instruction:  AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus (require lab or math instruction)

Harder AP subjects usually involve lab work, abstract math, or scientific concepts that have the benefit of direct support from an instructor. For more challenging subjects, you might consider getting a tutor, taking an online course, or using a virtual lab simulator.

How Do Colleges View AP Exams Taken Without the Class?

Taking AP exams without completing a class shows that you have initiative, are self-motivated, and you desire to challenge yourself academically. College admissions officers admire these qualities. Collages are focused on your scores, not whether you took the class.

Earning college credit for an AP exam depends on your score and the college’s policies. Also, be careful to not overload yourself with too many AP classes. Without classroom support it’s easier to burnout, which can lead to lower scores if you are not prepared for the extra load.

Checklist for Independent AP Exam Takers

Use this handy checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the bases.

• Contact local AP coordinator
  

• Get Join Code and exam schedule
  

• Collect study materials
  

• Make a weekly study plan
  

• Take timed practice exams
  

• Register and pay before the deadline

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take multiple AP exams without the classes?

Yes. You can take as many AP exams as you can handle. However, remember to be realistic. Self-studying several AP subjects will require dedicated time management.

Do I get an AP score if I don’t register through a school?

No. You will need to register through a participating high school or testing center. If you do not go through a school or testing center, the College Board won’t process your AP exam score.

Can I access AP Classroom materials without the course?

You only have access to AP classrooms if you have a join code, which you will get from a coordinator. Ask your coordinator for the join code when you register as an independent test-taker.

Do I need teacher approval to take the exam?

No, you do not need teacher approval to take an AP exam. You’ll just have to register through a school and pay the fee. Registering does not require a teacher’s permission.

Will colleges know I didn’t take the class?

No. Colleges will only have access to your AP exam scores, they will not know if you took the course or not. If you choose to include it on your transcript or mention it in your application, it may come up.

Final Thoughts

Self-studying for an AP exam without taking the class isn’t easy, but it’s completely possible. With the right materials, a structured plan, and dedication, you can earn impressive scores that open doors to college credit and stronger applications.

Stay consistent, use every resource available, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. You’ve got this.

Sources:

College Board (opens in a new tab)

College Board AP Students (opens in a new tab)

College Board AP Classroom (opens in a new tab)

College Board Course and Exam Description (opens in a new tab)