How Much Do AP Exams Cost?

If you’re a high school student who is planning on taking AP exams, you may have a lot of questions about the exam process. Specifically, you may wonder how much taking your AP exams is going to cost. Let’s look at how much it will cost to take your AP exams.

Key Takeaways

• In 2026, most AP exams cost $99 in the US, US territories, DoDEA schools, and Canada, and $129 if taken outside the US.

• Late ordering adds $40 per exam, and cancelled or unused exams also incur a $40 fee, even with fee reductions.

• Eligible students can receive a $37 College Board fee reduction per exam, with further help sometimes available from states or schools.

• You pay for AP exams through your school, not the College Board, and deadlines are set by your AP coordinator.

Standard AP Exam Costs In 2026

In 2026, AP exam pricing depends on where you take the exam, not the subject you choose. Most students pay the same standard fee per exam, but additional charges can apply if you order late or cancel.

Here are the standard AP exam fees for 2026:

These fees apply to all AP subjects, including AP Seminar and AP Research. Unlike in previous years, Capstone exams are no longer priced separately in 2026.

Your school may add small local administration or processing charges in some cases, so your final bill could be slightly higher than the amounts above. Your AP coordinator will confirm any additional school-specific fees.

Additional AP Exam Fees You Should Know About

There may be other fees or charges, and you should be aware of these.

Late Ordering Fees

If you order an AP exam after your school’s regular ordering deadline, you will be charged a late ordering fee of $40 per exam on top of the standard exam fee.

In most schools, this late fee applies to any exam ordered between November 16 and March 14. After this point, many schools will not accept new exam orders at all, so it is important to register on time.

A few key points to know:

• The late fee applies per exam, so it can add up quickly if you are taking multiple APs.

• If you order late, you may become ineligible for the College Board fee reduction for that exam.

• The late fee does not usually apply to new students who transfer into your school after the regular ordering deadline, as long as they register promptly with their AP coordinator.

If you think you might miss the deadline, speak to your AP coordinator as soon as possible so you understand your options.

Canceled/Unused AP Exam Fees

If you order an AP exam and later decide not to take it, you will normally be charged a $40 cancellation or unused exam fee per exam.

This fee applies even if:

• You never sit the exam, or

• You qualify for a College Board fee reduction.

In other words, fee reductions do not remove the $40 cancellation charge.

If you are considering dropping an exam, tell your AP coordinator as early as you can. Your school will confirm whether the cancellation fee applies and how it will be processed.

AP Exam Fee Reductions and Financial Assistance

Many students worry about the cost of AP exams, but there are official ways to reduce those fees if you qualify. Fee reductions aren’t automatic. You must request them during the ordering process and provide the necessary documentation. However, they can help lower what you owe.

AP exam fee reductions are available to students who meet certain financial eligibility criteria. In addition to the College Board’s reduction, some states, districts, and schools provide extra support that can reduce costs even further for eligible families.

Below, we break down who can qualify and how much you might be able to save.

Who Qualifies for AP Exam Fee Reductions?

According to the College Board (opens in a new tab), you may qualify for an AP exam fee reduction if any one of the following applies to you:

• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local financial aid programme for students from lower-income families (for example, Upward Bound).

• Your family receives public assistance.

• You live in a foster home, you are unhoused, or you live in federally subsidized public housing.

• You are a ward of the state or an orphan.

• Your family uses programmes such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (opens in a new tab), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (opens in a new tab), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) (opens in a new tab).

• You receive free school meals, unless you attend a school where all students automatically receive free meals.

Important to know:

You don’t get this help automatically. When you register, you’ll need to say that you’re requesting financial help and provide simple proof, usually showing you’re eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Your AP coordinator can guide you through this.

How Much Can You Save With an AP Exam Fee Reduction?

If you qualify, the College Board will take $37 off the cost of each AP exam you take.

In practice, that means:

• An exam that normally costs $99 in the US could be reduced to $62 with the College Board fee reduction.

• An exam that normally costs $129 outside the US could be reduced to $92.

You may be able to save even more. Some states, districts, or individual schools provide extra funding on top of the College Board reduction, which can bring your cost down further.

In some schools, eligible students end up paying as little as $25 per exam.

Tip: Make sure you’re approved for fee reductions before you pay for your exams. Your AP coordinator will tell you what evidence you need to provide.

How Do You Pay for AP Exams?

You don’t pay the College Board directly for AP exams. Instead, you pay through your school (or the organisation running your exams).

Every school runs this a little differently, but the overall process is usually the same:
you register with your AP coordinator, and then you pay using whatever method your school uses.

Your AP coordinator is your main contact if anything is unclear, if you need financial help, or if you want to change an exam.

Paying Through Your School or Online Platforms

Here’s how payment usually works for you:

Step 1: Register with your AP coordinator
Your school’s AP coordinator will tell you:

• how to sign up for each exam

• how and when you need to pay

Step 2: Pay using your school’s system
Most schools collect payment on behalf of the College Board, not you.

Common ways you might pay:

• Online payment portal (very common):
  Many schools use systems like Total Registration (opens in a new tab) to let you register and pay online.
  If your school uses this, you’ll get a link, clear instructions, and a deadline.

• School-based payment:
  Some schools still accept payment directly to the school, often by check or money order.
  Your AP coordinator will tell you exactly what they accept.

Flexible options (if you need them)
Some schools will let you:

• pay in instalments

• make a deposit first and pay the rest later

If this would help you, just ask your AP coordinator early. Policies vary by school.

AP Exam Payment Deadlines

AP exams have a set deadline each year by which your school must submit your order and payment to the College Board. 

For the 2026 exam session, the key date is: November 14, 2025. 

This is the College Board’s final (opens in a new tab)ordering and payment deadline (opens in a new tab) for most AP exams (for full-year, first-semester and fall courses). 

Here’s what that means for you:

• Pay by mid-November
  If your school submits your order and payment by November 14, 2025, you pay the standard exam fee without extra charges, and you keep any fee reductions you qualify for.

• Order after the deadline
  If your school orders your exam after November 14, you will usually pay a $40 late ordering fee per exam on top of the base cost. Ordering late can also mean you lose eligibility for the College Board fee reduction for that test.

• Orders after mid-March
  Most schools and coordinators stop taking new orders after March 13, 2026, so you may not be able to add exams at all after this date.

Important: These deadlines are set by the College Board. But your school will set its own internal payment deadline that you must meet first. This is often several weeks before the official College Board deadline. Always check with your AP coordinator so you don’t miss your school’s cut-off.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Are AP Exams Worth the Cost?

Yes. AP exams are worth the cost. They can potentially earn you college credit, which can save you quite a bit on tuition. By earning college credit and skipping introductory classes, you may graduate early, which saves you a lot of money and time. Taking AP exams also looks good on your profile when applying to colleges. They show that you are willing to take on more challenging coursework.

Having strong AP exam scores can improve your chances of getting a merit-based scholarship. They may help you when you apply for financial aid, since AP exam scores are often looked at as an indicator of your academic potential. Students who do well in AP courses and on AP exams tend to develop essential skills needed to succeed in college and in life, such as critical thinking, time management, and good study habits.

Can You Get a Refund on AP Exam Fees?

Yes, but it depends on when you cancel and your school’s policy. If you cancel after the November ordering deadline, the College Board charges a $40 cancellation fee per exam (this still applies if you have a fee reduction). 

To cancel and request a refund, you must speak to your school’s AP coordinator, because refunds are processed by your school, not the College Board.

Do I Have to Pay Tax on AP Exams?

No. Sales tax is not added to AP exam fees. They are charged as a flat fee per exam, and the College Board does not add taxes to this amount.

AP exam fees are not tax-deductible. The IRS treats them as a service-related expense rather than qualified tuition or fees, which is why they do not count toward education tax credits such as the American Opportunity Credit or Lifetime Learning Credit.

Final Thoughts

How much AP exams cost depends on where you take them. In 2026, exams cost $99 each in the US and $129 if taken internationally. Plan ahead with your AP coordinator so you avoid late, cancellation, or unused exam fees. If you’re eligible, you may also be able to get financial help to reduce the cost.

You don’t pay the College Board directly. Instead, all payments go through your school or AP coordinator. Many schools use an online payment system, though some still accept checks or money orders. Some schools also offer payment plans, as long as everything is paid by the registration deadline in November.

AP exams are usually worth the investment. Strong scores can earn you college credit, help you skip introductory classes, and potentially save you both time and money at university.

References:

• AP Exam Fee Reductions (opens in a new tab)

• TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (opens in a new tab)

• SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (opens in a new tab)

• FDPIR: Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (opens in a new tab)

• AP Exam Fee Collection Provider (opens in a new tab)

• Ordering AP Exams (opens in a new tab)