What’s Next After AP Exams?

You've spent ages studying for your AP exams and survived AP exam season. Your brain feels fried, and you're ready to relax. But what happens next?

Whether you're preparing university applications or planning ahead, the post-AP period doesn't have to feel confusing. This guide answers the question: what's next after APs? We’ll walk you through results arrival, college applications and how to make the most of your summer.

Key Takeaways

• Scores arrive in July. You'll access them through your College Board account in early to mid-July.

• AP scores can earn you university credit. Many universities grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, saving you time and money.

• You control which scores to send. Choose which AP scores universities see—a lower score doesn't have to hurt your applications.

• The summer is yours to shape. Rest, work, volunteer, or plan for university. There's no single "right" way to spend your time.

When Do You Get Your AP Scores?

AP scores typically arrive in early July, usually around the first or second week of the month. The exact date varies yearly, but College Board (opens in a new tab) announces it in advance.

You'll check your scores by logging into your College Board account where you registered for exams. They'll email you when scores are available.

All your scores appear together in July, even if you took exams at different times. Universities you designated during registration receive them automatically, but you can send scores to additional universities later.

What Do AP Scores Mean?

AP exams are scored from 1 to 5:

• 5 – Extremely well qualified. Outstanding understanding, equivalent to an A at university level.

• 4 – Well qualified. Strong comprehension, equivalent to A-, B+, or B.

• 3 – Qualified. Adequate grasp of material, equivalent to B-, C+, or C.

• 2 – Possibly qualified. Some understanding but may struggle with university work.

• 1 – No recommendation. Material was particularly challenging.

Most universities accept scores of 3 or higher for credit, though competitive institutions often require 4s or 5s. Each university sets its own policies.

How to Use Your AP Scores for University Credit

This is where AP exams really pay off. Many universities offer credit, advanced placement, or both.

University credit means you've satisfied a course requirement without taking it. This saves thousands in tuition and lets you graduate early or take fewer modules per term.

Advanced placement lets you skip introductory courses and jump straight into higher-level classes.

Unfortunately, every university has different policies, so we can’t generalise as to what APs will mean across them all. Have a go at researching them by:

• Checking universities websites for their AP credit policy pages

• Contacting admissions or academic departments directly

• Using College Board's AP Credit Policy (opens in a new tab) search tool

If you're choosing where to apply right now, AP credit policies might be something you want to take into account in your decision. Our article, ‘What Is a Good AP Score?’ will help you think about how to use them.

Do AP Scores Help with University Admissions?

AP scores play a role in admissions, but perhaps not quite how you might assume.

• Your AP course load matters most. Taking challenging AP courses shows you're ready for university work. This matters more than the scores themselves during applications.

• Self-reported scores help. Most applications let you self-report previous years' AP scores. Strong scores (4s and 5s) strengthen your application.

• Weak scores can be omitted. You're not required to report all AP scores. If you got a 2 in a subject unrelated to your intended major, leave it off.

• Official scores come later. You only send official scores to your chosen university after you've been accepted and decided to enrol.

The bottom line is: AP courses themselves are more important than actual scores for your university admissions. We have put together a list of the hardest APs and a list of the easiest APs to help you decide.

Should You Send AP Scores Now?

During your exam registration, you’re allowed to designate one university to receive scores for free. But you don't have to decide this right now.

Why waiting might make sense:

• You haven't seen your scores yet

• You're still deciding between universities

• You want to send scores selectively

Once you know where you're enrolling, send an official score report to that university. Self-reported scores on your application aren't enough for actual credit.

Sending scores to additional universities costs around £12 per report.

Read our guide on how to send your AP scores to colleges to guide you through the process. 

Making the Most of Your Summer

You’ve worked really hard during the year and now you have more ‘free’ time than you know what to do with. The weeks after AP exams can feel strangely empty. But they can be incredibly valuable to set you up for future success. 

Here's how to make the most of this time – without burning out.

Start University Applications or Research

If you're a rising senior, summer is ideal for working on applications. Starting early means you’ll face far less stress in autumn.

• Create a list of the universities you're most interested in. 

• Research their programmes and requirements. Many applications open in August, so you can start drafting essays and gathering materials beforehand to prepare.

• Visit university websites, take virtual tours, or schedule visits. The more you know now, the easier application season will be.

Take a Summer Course or Online Class

Summer courses let you explore new interests – without all the exam pressure.

Local colleges often offer summer programmes for secondary school students. Online platforms like Coursera (opens in a new tab), edX (opens in a new tab), and Khan Academy (opens in a new tab) offer free or low-cost courses in virtually any subject.

Summer courses help you get ahead or explore potential university majors before committing. 

You might also want to look ahead in your APs and make links with what you learn - check out our AP Study Guides to get you started. 

Begin a Personal Project or Internship

Summer is perfect for passion projects or gaining real-world experience.

Carrying out a personal project shows initiative and enthusiasm. Build an app, write some stories, start a podcast, conduct research—whatever excites you most and will fulfil you.

Internships give insight into careers you might be interested in and can help build your professional skills. Volunteering with local organisations or shadowing professionals also demonstrates drive and maturity. Save My Exams has a whole suite of work experience ideas to get you started.

Rest and Recharge

This might be the most important item of all. You've worked incredibly hard. Your brain needs recovery time.

Rest isn't lazy—it's necessary. Read for pleasure. Spend time with friends and family. Sleep in. Do absolutely nothing sometimes.

If you're heading into senior year, it'll be demanding. Taking time to recharge now helps you tackle challenges with energy and focus.

Balance is key. Mix productive activities with genuine downtime, and don't feel guilty about either.

Advice for Different Year Groups

Rising Seniors

This is your moment. Senior year brings the entire university application process.

• Start university research now. Create a spreadsheet of schools, deadlines, and required materials.

• Draft your personal statements. Most essay prompts are available by summer. Start brainstorming and getting feedback.

• Visit campuses if possible. Talk to your school counsellor before the autumn rush.

• Prepare for autumn testing if taking the SAT or ACT. 

And enjoy your last summer before university awaits!

Younger Year Groups

If you're not applying yet, learn from this year's experience.

• Reflect on how exams went. What study strategies worked? What would you do differently?

• Consider which APs to take next. Choose courses you're genuinely interested in that align with your academic path. Our AP options articles can help you decide. 

• Build skills over summer. Focus on areas where you struggled. Explore potential career paths through volunteering or job shadowing.

• Develop your interests outside academics. Universities value depth of commitment, not just breadth.

Graduating Seniors

Congratulations! A few important tasks remain:

Submit your final AP scores to your university once released in July.

Check your university email and portal regularly for information about orientation, housing, and registration.

Register for courses if registration opens over summer. Use your AP credits strategically.

Make sure your school sends your final transcript. Connect with future classmates through social media groups.

Prepare for university life and enjoy your summer!

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I send my AP scores to all universities?

We’d advise not. During applications, self-report your scores selectively—only list the strong ones.

You only send official score reports to the university where you'll enrol. This saves money and ensures less impressive scores don't impact applications.

If you got mostly 4s and 5s, definitely report them. But if you got a 2 in an unrelated subject, leave it off.

What happens if I get a low AP score?

Don't panic. A low score isn't the end of the world.

For admissions, you don't have to report it. A 2 or 1 won't derail your application, especially if your other credentials are strong.

For university credit, you simply won't receive credit for that exam. You'll take the introductory course at university instead.

Remember that AP exams are genuinely difficult—university-level assessments. Many successful students get lower scores and still thrive at top universities.

Can I retake an AP exam?

Yes, absolutely. There's no limit to how many times you can take an AP exam.

If you're unhappy with a score, you can retake the exam in a future year. You'll need to register again and pay the fee.

Both scores remain on your record, but you choose which to send to universities. However, most students don't retake exams. If you got a 3 or higher sufficient for your purposes, retaking might not be worth the effort.

Final Thoughts

The period after AP exams can feel strange. You've worked towards these tests for months, and suddenly they're over. But, whether you work on applications, take a summer job, volunteer, or simply rest, you're making a valid choice.

AP exams are significant, but they're just one part of your journey. Your scores don't define you. What matters more is how you use the opportunities they create.

Take a moment to acknowledge what you've accomplished. AP courses are really challenging, and completing them shows dedication and curiosity. That's something to be proud of!

Stay curious as you move forward. Explore your interests. Take risks on exciting projects. Build connections. Rest when needed. Work hard when it matters.

Whatever comes next, you're ready for it. Good luck!

References

• College Board (opens in a new tab)

• AP Credit Policy tool (opens in a new tab) 

• Coursera (opens in a new tab)

• edX (opens in a new tab)

• Khan Academy (opens in a new tab)