AP Exam Registration Deadline 2027 — Fees, Late Fees & How to Sign Up
AP exams are in May, but the decision that matters most happens in the fall. If you're not registered by mid-November, you'll pay more — and at some schools you may not be able to test at all. Here's everything you need to get signed up for May 2027.
Quick answer: College Board's deadline is November 13, 2026 for full-year and fall courses. Exams cost $99 each in the U.S. After the deadline, you can still be added until March 12, 2027 — but each exam costs $40 more.
The 2027 Registration Deadline
Students don't register with College Board directly. Instead, your school's AP coordinator places an exam order for every student taking each exam. College Board sets two ordering deadlines:
| Deadline | Applies To |
|---|---|
| November 13, 2026 | Full-year courses and first-semester courses |
| March 12, 2027 | Courses that start after November 13 (e.g., spring-semester classes), plus late orders |
The vast majority of AP students are in full-year courses, which means November 13 is your deadline. The exams themselves run May 3–14, 2027 — see the full 2027 AP exam schedule.
Your School's Deadline Comes First
This is the part students miss. Your AP coordinator needs time to collect payments, confirm rosters, and submit the order — so schools set their own internal deadline, usually in the last week of October or the first week of November.
If you wait until November 12 because "the deadline is the 13th," you may already be too late for your school's process. Check your school's AP page or ask your AP teacher or coordinator this week.
How Much AP Exams Cost in 2026–27
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam fee — U.S., U.S. territories, Canada, DoWEA (formerly DoDEA) schools | $99 per exam |
| Exam fee — all other schools | $129 per exam |
| Late order fee (ordered Nov 14, 2026 – Mar 12, 2027) | +$40 per exam |
| Canceled or unused exam fee (after Nov 13) | $40 per exam |
| College Board fee reduction (eligible low-income students) | −$37 per exam |
Two things to note:
- A late exam costs $139 instead of $99 in the U.S. If you're taking three exams, missing the deadline costs you an extra $120.
- Fee reductions stack with local help. On top of College Board's $37 reduction, many states and districts cover some or all of the rest. Ask your counselor whether you qualify — eligibility is usually tied to free or reduced-price lunch status.
Schools can also add their own administrative fee, so the amount you actually pay may differ slightly. Your coordinator will give you the final number.
How to Register, Step by Step
- Join your class section in My AP. Your AP teacher gives you a join code at the start of the year. Log in at My AP with your College Board account and enter it. If you haven't done this yet, do it now — it's how your school knows you're in the course.
- Confirm you're taking the exam. Depending on your school, you'll confirm through My AP, a school form, or an online payment portal. Follow your coordinator's instructions exactly.
- Pay before your school's deadline. Payment goes to your school, not College Board.
- Flag any conflicts. If two of your exams are in the same session (for example, Physics 1 and Physics C: E&M on May 5), tell your coordinator now so they can order a late-testing exam.
- Request accommodations early. If you need testing accommodations, your school's SSD coordinator should submit the request well before the exam — approvals can take weeks.
Self-studying or homeschooled?
You can still take AP exams, but you need a school willing to order an exam for you. Contact AP coordinators at local schools in September or October — once their orders are submitted, many won't add outside students. If your own school doesn't offer the exam you need, ask its AP coordinator which nearby schools do.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing November 13 isn't the end. Your school can still place a late order through March 12, 2027, with the $40 late fee added per exam. What to do:
- Contact your AP coordinator immediately. Some schools stop accepting requests entirely after their internal deadline, even though College Board allows late orders. Asking early improves your chances.
- Ask about the late fee. Some districts absorb it; others pass it to the student.
- Don't wait until spring. After March 12, 2027, orders close and you can't be added.
Deciding Which Exams to Register For
Because canceling after November 13 costs $40, it's worth deciding now rather than registering for everything "just in case." A few questions to ask:
- Will a passing score earn credit? Look up your target colleges' AP credit policies. Many require a 4 or 5, and some give no credit for certain subjects. See do AP classes count as college credit.
- How are you doing in the class so far? Take a practice exam and run your results through our AP score calculators — if you're already near a 3, you're in good shape with months to go.
- How hard is the exam, really? Pass rates vary widely by subject. Our AP difficulty ranking compares every exam.
- What does the score mean for admissions? Scores matter more for credit than for admissions — see do AP scores matter.
Even if you're unsure about your score, registering is usually the right call if you're in the course. You'll have months to prepare, and you control which scores colleges see.
Not sure you're on track? Estimate your AP score from a practice test in under a minute.
Open AP Score Calculator →FAQ
When is the AP exam registration deadline for 2027?
November 13, 2026 for full-year and first-semester courses, and March 12, 2027 for courses starting after November 13. Your school's own deadline is earlier.
Can I register for AP exams online myself?
Not directly. You join your class section in My AP, but the exam order itself is placed by your school's AP coordinator.
How much is the AP exam late fee?
$40 per exam for orders placed between November 14, 2026 and March 12, 2027, making a U.S. exam $139 instead of $99.
What if I register and decide not to take the exam?
Exams canceled after November 13, 2026, or left unused, carry a $40 fee per exam. Your school decides whether you pay it.
Do I have to take the AP exam if I'm in an AP class?
College Board doesn't require it, but some schools and districts do. Check your school's policy.