AP Results Day 2026: Key Dates & What to Expect

You’re an AP student and results day is fast approaching! You’re full of hope and a bundle of nerves at the same time. The last thing you need is to be confused about when and how you access your AP exam scores, what the scores mean, and what to do next. 

This guide will help you feel informed, prepared, and supported on AP results dates, scores, how to access them and deal with them. 

Key Takeaways

• When: Early to mid-July 2026 – log into your College Board account to see scores

• What the numbers mean: Scores go from 1-5, with 3 or higher usually counting as a pass (though top universities might want 4s or 5s)

• Why they matter: Good AP scores can earn you college credit and strengthen your university application

• If things don't go to plan: Check if your scores still count for credit, consider retaking next year, and remember, you're so much more than a test score!

When Do AP Results Come Out in 2026? 

The exact date hasn’t been confirmed by the College Board yet. However, AP results day is expected to fall between early to mid-July 2026. 

While the College Board doesn't release an exact date in advance, students in the US and abroad typically get their scores starting around the second week of July, with a rolling release by state or region.

Keep an eye on the College Board website for updated release timelines as July approaches.

AP exam scores are usually released from 8am, starting with the East Coast first. The rollout continues across the west throughout the day.

How to get your AP scores

Getting your AP scores is a simple process. 

Your AP scores will be released online through your College Board account. Here’s how you can access them:

1. Log in to your account (opens in a new tab)

2. Make sure your login details are up-to-date before scores are released

3. On AP results day, go to the 'My AP Scores' section to view your scores

If you’ve forgotten your username or password, you can reset them on the login page.

How to Prepare for AP Results Day 

Getting your AP exam results is stressful for anyone! But with some preparation, you can find some calm on results day.

Before Results Day

Get Your Login Details Sorted

Nothing's worse than a last minute panic trying to remember your password! Check you have:

• Your College Board username and password (test them out before results day!)

• Your AP ID number handy

• The correct results release date saved in your calendar

Top tip: Write your login details somewhere safe, like a notebook or password manager. 

Manage Your Expectations

• Remember, scores don't define you: your future is more than a test score!

• You don't have to check your results the second they're released: pick a time that’s right for you.

• Have support ready: make sure you've got people around who care about you

• Give yourself time to process your results and breathe: let yourself feel whatever comes up - it’s natural to respond emotionally. 

Try some of the techniques explored in our exam anxiety relief kit (opens in a new tab) to help you get through this stressful time. 

Planning Your Next Steps

Contact Your University

If you've already been accepted somewhere:

• Check their AP credit policy on their website

• Email the admissions office if you have questions

• Ask about placement tests or alternative ways to demonstrate your knowledge

Look After Yourself with a Self-Care Checklist

However results day goes, be kind to yourself:

• Do something you enjoy

• Avoid comparing yourself to others – everyone's on their own journey

• Talk about how you're feeling – bottling it up doesn't help

• Remember your wins – think about all the things you've achieved this year

• Get outside – fresh air and movement really do help your mood

What grades do I need to pass AP?

AP exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5, and whether you ‘pass’ depends on how your school or college views the scores. 

AP Score Breakdown:

• 5 – Extremely well qualified (top score)

• 4 – Well qualified

• 3 – Qualified (generally considered a passing score)

• 2 – Possibly qualified

• 1 – No recommendation

What is considered a ‘passing’ score?

Most colleges consider a 3 or higher as passing

Some competitive schools require a 4 or 5 to grant credit or placement

Our comprehensive guide to the AP grading system goes into this in more detail.  

What do my AP scores mean?

So, you’ve finally got your results – but how do you make sense of them?

As mentioned, each of your AP exams will be scored on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. 

When checking your results, you’ll see your personal details listed first. 

Beneath this, you’ll find a list of all the AP exams you've taken and the scores you’ve earned. If you’ve designated colleges to receive your scores, they will also get your official results electronically.

You won’t see a breakdown of your raw marks or performance by section. However, the College Board sometimes provides score distributions so you can see how your results compare nationally.

How can my AP scores earn college credit?

AP scores can help you earn college credit before you even set foot on campus. When you take an AP exam and score a 3, 4 or 5, many colleges will reward you with credit. 

Depending on the school and the subject, your score might let you skip an introductory course or jump straight into higher-level classes. Every college is a little different—some give credit for a 3, while others want a 4 or 5—so it’s worth checking each school’s policy. 

Essentially, strong AP scores can save you time and let you dive into the fun stuff faster.

How will AP scores affect my college admission?

Your AP score is just one part of your college application. It usually isn’t required for admission, unless you’re applying for a competitive course at a competitive school. 

In the US, colleges and universities take a holistic approach to admissions. This means they look at a range of factors, not just test scores or grades. 

That being said, here are the academic factors that they take into account:

• GPA (Grade Point Average): This reflects your overall academic performance in high school and is one of the most important factors. Colleges look at both your GPA and the rigor of the courses you’ve taken. Your AP scores do not affect your GPA.

• Standardised Test Scores: SAT or ACT scores may be required, though many schools have gone test-optional. This allows applicants to choose whether they want to submit their test scores. If submitted, these scores are used to assess college readiness.

• AP Scores: AP exams are not always required for admission, but strong AP scores (usually 3 or above) can:

  • Strengthen your application by showing academic rigor

  • Earn you college credit or help you skip introductory courses

What are my AP scores worth in college credit?

The table below shows how AP scores typically compare to college course grades:

As you can see, colleges will only take into account the highest AP scores when it comes to allocating credit. 

What are AP scores worth in UCAS points?

If you’re a student from the US applying to study at a UK university, you may be wondering how your AP scores translate into UCAS tariff points. 

Most UK universities state their course entry requirements in terms of UCAS points rather than grades. This is to help make the application process easier to understand for those taking a non-traditional route, i.e. those who have studied an alternative to A Levels.

Here’s the conversion for AP scores, UCAS tariff points and A Levels: 

AP Results Trends

Interested in AP performance and course trends? The College Board (opens in a new tab) publishes annual analysis that gives insight into national results.

More and more students are taking AP exams. 

Over the past few years, participation has been growing steadily. The percentage of U.S. public high school graduates who took an AP Exam has increased from 2014 to 2024. 

• 35.7% of U.S. public high school graduates took at least 1 AP Exam, up from 32.8% of the class of 2014.

• 1.2 million students in 2024 took more than 4.3 million AP Exams in public high schools nationwide

How Are Students Doing?

College Board performance data shows that 22.6% of the class of 2024, scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school, up from 19.9% of the class of 2014.

According to 2024 AP Score Distributions (opens in a new tab), specialist language courses achieved particularly high performance scores in 2024.

53.3% of AP Chinese students and 49.1% of AP Japanese students achieved a 5. 

AP Calculus BC was similarly high performing with 47.7% of students achieving a 5. 

In 2023-24, a new popular course AP Precalculus was launched. 76% of students earned a score of 3 or higher.

What if my AP scores are lower than expected?

If your AP results aren’t what you were hoping for, it’s important to remember that you have plenty of options.

Despite getting lower scores than expected, you might still manage to earn credit or placement at your chosen college. 

Here are some steps you can take next:

• Check college credit policies – A score of 3 might still earn you credit or placement at your chosen college

• Speak with your teacher or advisor – They can help you reflect on your result and plan next steps

• Consider retaking the exam next year if it’s critical for your goals

• Focus on the bigger picture – AP scores are just one part of your academic profile

Can I cancel or withhold an AP score?

Yes. If you’re not happy with a score and don’t want colleges to see it, you can request to cancel or withhold it.

Cancelling a score means it will be permanently deleted and won’t be sent to any college.

Withholding a score means you choose not to send it to a specific college, though it still exists in your record.

Requests must be submitted to the College Board by their posted deadlines. Speak to your school AP coordinator or visit the College Board website for instructions and forms.

What support is available?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out:

• School counselors and AP coordinators can walk you through your options

• Teachers can help you understand your score and whether a retake makes sense

• College admissions offices can clarify how they use AP scores in credit or placement decisions

• Go to trusted friends and family for emotional support or reach out to a student support service 

Can you retake AP exams?

If you want to try to improve your AP scores, you have the option to retake your exams the following year. You can register again and sit the same AP subject the following May.

Colleges only see the scores you send, meaning you’re in control of which scores are submitted. If you do better the second time around, you can choose to send only that result. If you do worse in the retake, your higher score is still valid, so you can choose to submit this to colleges instead. 

Our AP revision resources can help you to improve your revision strategy and boost your scores. 

Good to know: You'll need to re-register (and repay) for the AP exam through a school or authorized testing center. Not all schools allow students who’ve already graduated to retake exams there, so check with your school or nearby schools early.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do AP scores matter?

The importance of your AP scores depends on what you’re hoping to achieve from them. AP scores don’t count towards your GPA and many colleges don’t require them for admission, so they’re not vital. 

That being said, strong AP scores (4s and 5s) can boost your application, especially at competitive schools.

AP scores are particularly important if you're hoping to earn college credit, skip introductory courses or strengthen your application. This can help you to save money, graduate early or free up room in your schedule.

Certain scholarships and programs will also consider your AP scores, so their significance really depends on your individual circumstances. 

What happens if I’m on holiday when AP scores are released?

One of the main advantages of receiving your AP results online is that you can access them from pretty much anywhere. Just make sure you have your College Board login details, reliable WiFi and any contact information you might need in case you have questions.

When will colleges receive my AP results?

If you designated a college to receive your scores when you took the exam, the College Board will send them automatically in early to mid-July.

Scores are only sent to colleges if you request them—colleges won’t see them unless you choose to share. As mentioned earlier, you can also withhold or cancel scores if you don’t want a college to see a particular result.

If you're applying as a high school senior, most colleges use AP scores for credit and placement, not admissions. This means you can submit them after you enroll.  

Improve Your Grades with Save My Exams

Save My Exams helps over 1.5 million students each month to prepare for their exams. Get instant access to past papers, exam-style questions, concise revision notes and more to boost both your confidence and grades.

All of our resources are tailored to your exam board, ensuring you focus only on what’s relevant to your course. With expert feedback on practice questions and engaging video content, Save My Exams equips you with everything you need to excel. 

Explore our AP Revision Resources.

Final Thoughts

Results day might feel daunting, but your AP scores are only one part of your academic journey. 

Strong scores can open doors to university credit and advanced placement. Lower scores provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth. Either way, you've challenged yourself with university-level material, and that's something to be proud of.

As you prepare for AP Results Day 2026, focus on what you can control: make sure your login details are ready, plan your next steps, and surround yourself with support. Your results will arrive soon enough, and whatever they show, you'll be ready to tackle your next academic challenge.

Good luck!

References

AP Program Results: Class of 2024 (opens in a new tab)

2024 AP Score Distributions – AP Students | College Board (opens in a new tab)