How to Send AP Scores to Colleges — 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
AP scores are released each July, and you have full control over which schools receive them. Here's exactly how to send your scores, what it costs, and the best timing strategy.
Key fact: You do NOT need to send AP scores to get into college. You send them after you enroll to claim college credit. Score Choice lets you choose exactly which scores each school sees.
Step-by-Step: How to Send Your AP Scores
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Sign in to My AP
Go to myap.collegeboard.org and log in with your College Board account (the same one you used for AP registration). -
Go to "Send Scores"
From your dashboard, click your profile or navigate to the score-sending section. You'll see all your AP scores listed by subject and year. -
Choose which scores to send (Score Choice)
Select which AP exam scores you want to include in this report. You can include all, some, or just one. Each report you send goes to one institution. -
Search for your target college or university
Use the college search to find the institution. Make sure you select the right campus if the university has multiple locations. -
Review and pay
Each score report costs $15 (standard fee). Review your order, confirm the selected scores and institution, then complete payment. -
Confirmation
You'll receive a confirmation email. Scores are sent electronically and typically arrive at the college within 3–7 business days.
Understanding Score Choice
Score Choice is College Board's policy that lets you control which AP scores you send to colleges. Key points:
- Score Choice applies per exam — if you took AP Chemistry twice (different years), you can send just your higher score
- Each time you order a score report, you build a custom selection of scores for that specific institution
- Scores you don't send remain private in your College Board account
- You can send different sets of scores to different colleges
All-scores policies: Some colleges (including a few Ivy League schools) require you to submit all AP scores ever earned. Always check your target college's AP score policy before assuming you can omit a score. Search "[College Name] AP score policy" to confirm.
How Much Does It Cost?
| Fee Type | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Score report (per institution) | $15 | Sends selected AP scores to one school |
| Rush processing | +$25 | Faster delivery; contact College Board directly |
| Paper transcript (physical copy) | $15 + shipping | Available for institutions requiring paper records |
| Free score send (during registration) | $0 | One free send per exam when ordering during registration — usually expired by July |
The $15 fee covers one score report sent to one institution. If you're sending to 5 colleges, that's $75 total. There's no bundle discount.
When Should You Send AP Scores?
The timing depends on your purpose:
Sending for college credit (most common)
Wait until after you've enrolled and committed to your college. You don't need AP scores to get admitted — send them in the summer or early fall of your freshman year to claim credit and register for the right courses.
Important: some colleges have deadlines for submitting AP scores to claim credit. Many require scores by the start of your first semester. Check your specific college's deadline when you enroll.
Sending during the application process
This is optional at nearly all schools. If you have strong scores (4s and 5s), you may choose to send them to strengthen your application. If your scores are mixed, use Score Choice to send selectively — or wait until after admission to send for credit purposes only.
Sending for early decision / early action applicants
If applying ED/EA with November 1–15 deadlines, your July scores will be available. Sending strong scores voluntarily can provide a small boost at selective schools — particularly for 5s on challenging exams.
How Long Does Delivery Take?
| Delivery Method | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Electronic (standard) | 3–7 business days |
| Rush processing (electronic) | 1–2 business days |
| Paper transcript | 7–14 business days + shipping |
Most colleges receive AP scores electronically, so the standard 3–7 day window is typical. If you have an urgent deadline, contact College Board directly to request rush processing.
FAQ
Can I send AP scores for free?
During exam registration, College Board offers one free score send per exam to a college of your choice. This window typically closes before scores are released in July, so most students pay the $15 fee after scores are out.
Can I cancel a score report after ordering?
Once a score report is processed and sent, it cannot be recalled. Review your selections carefully before confirming the order.
Do I need to send AP scores to apply to college?
No. AP scores are separate from the college application process. Colleges make admissions decisions based on your transcript grades, not your AP exam scores. You send scores later to claim credit after enrollment.
What if my college says it needs "official AP scores"?
All score reports sent through College Board's My AP portal are official. There is no unofficial AP score — they all come directly from College Board.
Can I send AP scores to graduate schools?
Yes, technically. However, graduate school admissions rarely consider AP scores. This would only apply for credit-transfer situations at some institutions.
Know your score before you decide what to send — check your projected score now.
Open AP Score Calculator →