Can You Retake AP Exams? Everything You Need to Know (2026)
You just got your AP scores and you're not happy with what you see. The first question that comes to mind: can you take the exam again? The short answer is yes — but there are important rules around timing, cost, and what colleges will see.
Quick answer: Yes, you can retake any AP exam. Retakes happen the following year's May administration. You control which scores colleges see via Score Choice.
Short Answer
College Board allows students to retake any AP exam. There is no limit on the number of times you can take an AP exam, and there is no penalty for having attempted an exam before. Each year's May administration is a fresh opportunity.
The key constraint: you cannot retake an exam during the same year. If you took AP Chemistry in May 2026 and want a higher score, your earliest retake is May 2027.
When Can You Retake?
AP exams are offered once per year, in May. There is no fall administration or mid-year option. To retake an exam, you must wait until the next May testing window.
You do not need to be currently enrolled in the AP course to sit for the exam. Many students retake exams independently after the course has ended — you register through your school's AP coordinator regardless.
If you are no longer in high school, you can still take AP exams. Contact a local high school (any school that administers AP exams) and ask their AP coordinator if they can accommodate outside test-takers. Many will, though policies vary.
How Much Does a Retake Cost?
| Fee Type | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Standard AP exam fee | $98 per exam |
| College Board fee reduction | $33 reduction for eligible students |
| Reduced fee (eligible students) | ~$65 per exam |
| Additional state/school fees | Varies |
A retake costs the same as the original exam. There is no reduced rate for repeating. If you qualify for fee reduction (based on financial need), that reduction still applies. Contact your school's AP coordinator to confirm your eligibility.
Will Colleges See Your Old Score?
This is the most important question for most students — and the answer is reassuring.
College Board uses a policy called Score Choice. When you send AP scores to a college, you choose which scores to include. You can:
- Send only your new (higher) score and withhold the original
- Send both scores if you want to show improvement
- Send scores from specific exams and not others
Score Choice applies per-exam, not per-year. If you took AP Biology in 2025 and 2026, you can send just the 2026 score to every college you apply to.
Important: A small number of colleges (including some Ivy League institutions) have an "all scores" policy and ask applicants to submit every AP score ever earned. Always check a college's specific AP score policy before assuming you can withhold a score.
Even at schools with an all-scores policy, admissions committees are generally aware that students sometimes retake exams, and an improved score is viewed positively.
Is Retaking Worth It?
Whether a retake makes sense depends on what you want from the score:
Retaking makes sense if:
- You scored a 2 or 3 and the target college gives credit only for a 4 or 5
- You understand the material well but test anxiety affected your performance
- A 5 in a specific subject would qualify you for a scholarship
- You have significant time before your application deadline
Retaking may not be worth it if:
- You already scored a 3 and only need a 3 for credit at your target school
- You're applying to colleges that don't consider AP scores in admissions
- You're a senior and won't have time to study — a lower retake score would hurt
- The prep time required would crowd out other priorities (SAT/ACT, GPA)
Check your target college's AP credit policy directly. Many schools post their credit tables online — search "[College Name] AP credit policy" to find the exact score thresholds.
How to Register for a Retake
- Contact your school's AP coordinator — registration goes through them, not directly through College Board. Do this in the fall (October–November) well before the May exams.
- Confirm exam availability — your school needs to be offering that exam. If they don't offer it, contact a nearby school that does.
- Pay the exam fee — your coordinator will handle payment collection.
- Register on My AP — you'll need a College Board account linked to your school's section to access materials.
See what score your practice results would project — before you commit to a retake.
Open AP Score Calculator →FAQ
Do AP scores expire?
Technically, AP scores do not expire — College Board keeps your scores permanently. However, many colleges have policies that credit is only granted for scores earned within the last 5–10 years. Check your specific college's policy if this is a concern.
Can you retake an AP exam if you already got a 5?
Yes. There is no rule against it. In practice, there's no reason to retake a 5, but College Board places no restriction on it.
What if you don't like your retake score?
If your retake score is lower than your original, you can simply not send the retake score using Score Choice. Your original score remains in your College Board account permanently and can still be sent.
Can you retake AP exams after graduating high school?
Yes. AP exams are open to anyone. Contact a local high school's AP coordinator to arrange testing as an outside student. The school has the discretion to accept or decline outside test-takers.
Does retaking an AP exam look bad to colleges?
No. Colleges rarely know you retook an exam unless you send both scores. Even if they see both, an improved score demonstrates persistence and growth — which is viewed positively.
Related Articles
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- How to Send AP Scores to Colleges
- What Is a Good AP Score?
- What to Do After Your AP Scores Come Out
- How to Score a 5 on Any AP Exam