Can You Retake an AP Exam? (2024)

You’ve spent tons of time studying and preparing, but sometimes, taking a test doesn’t go as planned. If you don’t score as well as you are hoping, can you retake an an AP exam? The short answer is yes, but there’s more that you need to know before making a decision. AP exams are only offered once per year in the spring, but it is possible to retake an AP exam in a future school year. Unless you cancel or withhold a score, all scores from all AP exams you take will be reported on your official score report. Most colleges don’t ask for official score reports with your application; this typically comes later in the process as schools decide to offer financial aid or credit for your AP courses.

Can You Retake an AP Exam? (1)

As mentioned, you have the option to withhold or cancel your AP scores, and you may choose to do so if you did not score well on the exam. Withholding your scores prevents them from being reported to the colleges you selected; colleges will not even know that you took the exam at all. Withheld scores are reversible if you change your mind, but it’s an additional cost. There is a fee of $10 for each school recipient you want the score withheld from, and an additional $15 for each to undo the withholding process. The withholding process is completed through a form on the College Board website and must be completed by June 15th of the year you took the exam.

Canceling your scores is different from withholding them. Canceling eliminates the score entirely from your College Board record, and the process is irreversible. It does not cost any money to cancel your score, but it also must be done through a form on the College Board website by June 15th of the year you took the exam.

You should only consider retaking an AP exam if you are able to commit considerable time and energy to preparing for it. Keep in mind that you will have new classes in the following school year you will also be studying for, and the retake will occur a year after you take the course! If you have extenuating circ*mstances explaining your less-than-stellar score, you could always work this into an application essay and describe what you learned from the experience!

Some examples of situations where it may make sense to consider a retake include:

  • You were sick on the day of the exam and unable to focus entirely.
  • You realized that a primary resource you were using for studying was out of date or referred to an old version of the exam.
  • You were diagnosed with a learning disability after the exam and may have performed better if accommodations had been in place.
  • You were not able to commit to the course load required of your AP course, such as keeping up with homework, but your schedule has opened up to allow for more prep time.
  • You forgot a critical test-taking strategy, such as using a calculator or referencing the formula sheet, when you were taking the exam.

So, can you retake an AP exam? When deciding if you should, really focus on whether or not a change in your score will significantly impact your college application or potential financial aid. Whatever your decision, the good news is that you have the option to retake.

Can You Retake an AP Exam? (2024)

FAQs

Can You Retake an AP Exam? ›

The answer is yes!

Can you retake an AP exam without taking the class? ›

Yes. We recommend taking the AP course before taking an AP Exam—but it's not required.

Does a 3 on an AP exam look bad? ›

But what is a passing AP score? The College Board considers a score of 3 or higher a passing grade. That said, some colleges require a 4 or 5 to award credit. Whether a 3 is a good AP score depends on the colleges you're applying to.

Do wrong answers count against you on AP Exams? ›

Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.

Is a 2 on an AP exam a fail? ›

If you were to get a 2, then the College Board has determined that you are “possibly qualified” to pass a college level class of the same subject level. This score is usually not accepted by colleges unless there are extenuating circ*mstances.

Is a 1 on an AP exam bad? ›

Students who earn a 1 on their first AP Exam are also very likely (49%–70%) to take more AP courses and exams in high school. Many students who first earn an AP Exam score of 1 or 2 will then earn a higher score on the subsequent AP Exams they take.

Do colleges care if you retake an AP exam? ›

If you score a 3 or above on an AP test a retake unless you're absolutely set on earning college credit for your work. Ultimately, your AP score will have minimal impact on your admission chances unless you're applying to the most selective colleges with 1s and 2s.

Is a 70% a 5 on the AP exam? ›

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

Can you get a 0 on an AP exam? ›

To clarify, it's quite rare and quite difficult to get a score of 0 on an AP exam. Typically, scores range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest possible score that indicates the student likely wasn't prepared for the level of the content on the exam.

Should I report a 3 on an AP exam to UCLA? ›

Provided we receive your official results, credit from these exams should appear on your record sometime during your first term at UCLA. AP Credit awarded at UCLA: UCLA awards credit for AP exams with scores of 3 or higher.

What is a 50% on an AP test? ›

A 50% is considered a 3 or passing. This is when your AP credit is considered in colleges for being qualified, well qualified or extremely well qualified. Also, most exams have multiple parts to them.

Are AP tests curved? ›

In other words, AP scores are not graded on a curve, but instead calculated specifically to reflect consistency in scoring from year to year.

Do colleges look at failed AP tests? ›

Colleges will not look at your score

You will not be required to send your AP score to your colleges unless you want to earn college credit. In that case, you can wait to pay for an official score report to be sent after you've decided where you are enrolling and after you have completed any senior year AP courses.

What is the most failed AP exam? ›

At many high schools, AP Physics is notorious for its difficulty level. In addition, it has the lowest overall pass rate of any AP exam.

Should I report my AP score if I got a 2? ›

You don't have to worry about the score of 2 being part of your official transcript, as AP scores don't usually appear there. You have the choice to report this score, but since it doesn't reflect a passing grade that could earn you college credit, it might be better to omit it from your college applications.

Should I send my AP score if I got a 2? ›

And if your scores are on your application, admissions committees will see them. Similarly, if you have any low AP scores you'd prefer admissions committees not see, you don't have to (and shouldn't) report them on your application.

What happens if you take an AP class but dont take the exam? ›

No, AP exam scores are separate from your GPA and final grades. Teachers might offer incentives to get students to take the exam but deciding not to take it won't affect your final grades.

How much does it cost to retake an AP exam? ›

For anyone who wishes to do so, the AP exam retake will cost you an extra USD 94. Also, along with preparing for the exam, you need to focus on the full course over the year. This can be a big-time commitment for most students and should be taken if they think it is worth it in the end.

What happens if I fail an AP exam but pass the class? ›

Your class grade will not be affected

A poor AP exam score will not affect your class grade. Typically, you receive your AP score far after your semester grades have already been submitted. So, you don't have to worry about failing the course as a result of failing the AP exam.

Is it better to fail an AP exam or not take it at all? ›

Passing an AP exam has many benefits: you may receive college credit, it may help you win an AP Scholars award, and it may add to a larger picture of your academic success that can help you get into colleges. Failing an AP exam won't grant you these advantages, but doesn't carry any additional weight beyond that.

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