Taking an AP This Year? Here’s What You Need to Know

Depending on your school, daily life as a high school student may continue to look different at the outset of the 2021-22 school year, but AP exams will return to business as usual this spring. As in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can plan on taking AP exams with pencil and paper at your school or another designated location. AP Art finals remain an exception to this format: these exams have always involved the submission of a portfolio, instead of a test. In China and Japan, also exceptions to the rule, AP exams continue to be administered on computers.

Now that you know where you’re headed as an AP student, what can you expect along the way and how can you prepare for a successful, stress-free experience? We’ve gathered important info, dates, and links right here, so that you can begin AP courses in-the-know.

What are AP courses?

APs, in case you’re a first-time student, are advanced placement classes that offer college-level content, rigor, and—depending on how high you score—credit. There are 38 different AP courses, ranging from Music Theory to Physics, and, while each classroom experience will look a bit different, all students take a standardized exam in May order to demonstrate when they learned.

How can I prepare?

By and large, AP classes commence at the outset of the school year, so you can already login to your AP Classroom account in order to access free resources and, depending on your teacher’s plan, complete homework assignments. It’s also wise to purchase a prep book from the get-go. Doing so will enable you to efficiently review content covered in class and feel prepared for what lies ahead. If you need extra help along the way, Applerouth offers one-on-one tutoring in AP subjects.

How much do AP exams cost?

The 2022 exam fee has increased by $1, totaling at $96 per exam in the U.S. and Canada and $126 per exam elsewhere. Students who qualify for financial aid can pay a reduced fee of $34 per exam. The deadline to apply for a fee reduction is April 30th, 2022.

Are there any other important dates I should know about?

• January 18th, 2022 will be the deadline to submit accommodation requests for students with disabilities or learning differences.
• The first week of AP exams will take place from May 2-6, 2022.
• The second week of AP exams will take place from May 9-13, 2022. We’ve included a schedule of test dates and times at the end of this article, so that you can mark your calendar accordingly.
• Late testing dates will be offered from May 17-20, 2022, in case circumstances make it impossible for you to attend your scheduled exam.
• In July of 2022, you, any colleges you designated when taking the exam, and your high school counselor will all receive AP exam scores.

What will the exams be like?

AP exams range from 2 to 3 hours in duration. Most exams begin with multiple choice portions, followed by free response questions. These might take the form of essays, solutions to problems, or spoken responses, depending on the subject. On AP multiple-choice sections, you get credit for correct answers, but will not be penalized for wrong answers, so—on the real exam and on practice tests in class or at home throughout this school year—you should always make an educated guess. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Course credit requirements vary depending on the college you attend.

We hope you’re feeling excited about all that you’ll learn and for the ways you will no doubt grow as a student this year. As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions or need encouragement along the way.

2022 AP Exam Schedule Week 1*

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*AP 2-D Art & Design, AP 3-D Art & Design, and AP Drawing Portfolios must be submitted by 8 p.m. EST on Friday, May 6th. Students typically submit portfolio work to teachers prior to this date.

2022 AP Exam Schedule Week 2