Taking an AP Exam Without the Class: When AP Self-Study Makes Sense

AP Exams are a great way to show colleges your academic excellence and have become popular with students eyeing spots at competitive schools. Additionally, colleges are aware of the problem of grade inflation (an increase in the percentage of As awarded to students), so standardized tests like the AP exams can show academic rigor beyond a GPA. 

For some, your school may offer great academic programs, but is perhaps not aligned with the College Board’s AP curriculum. Or your school may only offer AP exams in calculus and sciences, and you’re interested in history and languages. In those cases, it may make sense for you to consider AP self study and take an AP exam without the class.

Can You Take an AP Exam Without Taking the Class?

Yes, you can take an AP exam without the class. The College Board allows it, but you’ll need to self-study and register through a local school. AP self study can be a smart option if your school doesn’t offer the subject or you want to show extra academic rigor.

How to Self-Study for an AP Exam

Now that you know it’s possible, you need to complete your registration, and the process takes more steps than signing up for the SAT. 

1. Find a place to test in the AP Course Ledger, which is searchable by location and by exam type. 
2. Once you find a location that makes sense to you, contact the school’s AP coordinator. Unfortunately, the College Board doesn’t provide a direct means of contact for each school, but calling the main office should let you know who you need to talk to.
3. Register and pay for your AP exam before the November 15th deadline.

Who Should Consider AP Self Study?

While self-studying for AP exams isn’t often presented to students as an option, it’s more common than you might think. To be clear, if your high school offers an AP course to prepare for an exam, then you should take the class. However, when that option is not available, it’s worth considering the benefits of self-studying for an AP exam.

When to Register for an AP Exam

Even though the AP exams are not given until May, now is the time to start the process. The deadline for registering is November 15th, and you will also need to pay the fee for the exam. If you’re unable to find a testing location before November 15th, there is a possibility of enrolling later, although there will be additional fees. 

Can You Retake an AP Exam?

Yes! There is no penalty for taking an AP exam again (other than the standard fees). It’s important to learn from the previous mistakes and put effort into reviewing the material and practicing the test questions. 

Choosing the Right AP Exam to Self Study

There is no perfect self-study AP exam for all students. Every student who pursues this option is doing so for a different reason. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are you looking to show knowledge and/or interest in your planned major in college?
  
  
• Are you currently taking a non-AP course that pairs well with an AP? (For example, an honors English or history course could be a strong match for AP U.S. History self study.)
  
  
• How much time do you spend on self-study? Most students who do this will need to spend a couple of hours a week throughout the spring semester. All AP courses are broken up into units. For our self-study students we typically plan on covering a unit every one to two weeks.
  
  
• Does the AP exam schedule work for you? The 2026 exam schedule has been published, and most time slots include two exams. You should make sure that you aren’t trying to take two exams that are administered at the same time.

Easiest AP Exams to Self Study

If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at the 12 most popular AP exams and our thoughts on them:

Is Self Studying for AP Exams Worth It?

Every student’s situation is different, but self-studying can definitely be worth it. It allows students to demonstrate rigor even if their school doesn’t offer a broad range of APs, highlight knowledge in a future major, and potentially earn college credit.

Getting Help with AP Self Study

Having some expert guidance through an AP exam self study can make sure you know the key ideas and keep on pace. We offer one-on-one private instruction with an expert who can help you plan a study schedule, review difficult content, and provide feedback on free response questions.

Ready to see if AP self study is the right path for you? Schedule a call with one of our Program Directors today or give us a call at 866-789-PREP (7737). We’ll match you with an expert tutor who can build a personalized study plan, keep you on pace, and make sure you’re ready by exam day. Our most experienced tutors fill up quickly, so reach out now to reserve your place.