Planning your AP revision just got easier! The 2026 AP exam schedule is here, and knowing your dates early is the secret to exam success. Whether you’re taking one AP or several, this complete guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 testing window
Official 2026 AP Exam Schedule
The AP Exams will run in two waves:
- Week 1: May 4–8, 2026
- Week 2: May 11–15, 2026
Exams begin at two possible times daily: morning exams start between 8 and 9 a.m. local time, and afternoon exams start between 12 and 1 p.m. Below is the subject-wise schedule:
Week 1 Details
| Date | Morning (8 a.m.) | Afternoon (12 p.m.) |
| May 4 (Mon) | Biology, Latin | European History, Microeconomics |
| May 5 (Tue) | Chemistry, Human Geography | United States Government and Politics |
| May 6 (Wed) | English Literature & Composition | Comparative Government, Physics 1 (Algebra-Based) |
| May 7 (Thu) | Physics 2 (Algebra-Based), World History: Modern | African American Studies, Statistics |
| May 8 (Fri) | Italian Language and Culture, United States History | Chinese Language and Culture, Macroeconomics |
Reminder: May 8, 2026 (8 p.m. ET) is the portfolio submission deadline for AP Art and Design.
Week 2 Details
| Date | Morning (8 a.m.) | Afternoon (12 p.m.) |
| May 11 (Mon) | Calculus AB, Calculus BC | Music Theory, Seminar |
| May 12 (Tue) | French Language & Culture, Precalculus | Japanese Language & Culture, Psychology |
| May 13 (Wed) | English Language & Composition, German Language | Physics C: Mechanics, Spanish Literature |
| May 14 (Thu) | Art History, Spanish Language & Culture | Computer Science Principles, Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism |
| May 15 (Fri) | Environmental Science | Computer Science A |
Late Testing for AP Exams 2026
Even though you have scheduled your AP exam and are well-prepared, there are times things can happen. Late testing gives you a chance to make up an exam if you or your family encounters something unexpected before the testing date.
If you qualify for late testing, you won’t have to pay a late testing fee. This is for students who have to reschedule their AP exam because of something beyond their control or the school’s control. Late testing is allowed without an extra fee for reasons that include:
- Scheduling conflicts between two AP exams
- Sudden illness on exam day
- Family emergencies
- Religious observances
- School-sponsored activities that clash with exam times
AP late-testing exams are given the third week of May. For security purposes, a different version of the exam is administered on late-testing day.
2026 Late Testing Dates (Full List)
| Late Testing Date | Morning 8 AM (Local Time) | Afternoon 12 PM (Local Time) |
| Monday, May 18, 2026 |
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| Tuesday, May 19, 2026 |
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| Wednesday, May 20, 2026 |
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| Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
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| Friday, May 22, 2026 |
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Please note that you cannot just choose a late-testing date because it’s more convenient. You’ll have to give a valid reason and your AP coordinator will make the final decision.
What to do if You Have Two Exams on the Same Day
It’s not that unusual that two exams get scheduled for the same day. It happens a lot more than you might think. There’s no reason to panic. Schools handle these types of situations all the time.
When you discover that you have a scheduling conflict, talk to your AP coordinator. They will be able to move one of the exams to a late-testing date. You won’t be able to choose which test gets moved to the late date, though.
Here are a few tips for managing two exams scheduled for the same time:
- Tell your AP coordinator as soon as you know about it.
- Focus on just one exam at a time on your actual test day.
- Plan extra revision time for the test that is scheduled for the late date.
- Don’t wait and try to cram it all in the night before the test.
- Stay hydrated and take plenty of breaks between sessions.
The most important thing to remember is to trust your preparation. If you’ve been studying consistently, your knowledge will still be there even with the schedule change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 2026 AP Exam dates be released?
The 2026 AP exam dates and schedule are already available! The AP exams will be administered over two weeks in May: May 4-8 and May 11-15. The College Board is good about releasing exam schedules long before the testing dates to help students plan their studies.
Can I reschedule my AP exam if I have a conflict?
You can’t directly reschedule exams on your own. But if there is a scheduling conflict, your AP coordinator can arrange late testing for you. The late-testing dates are already scheduled for the third week of May.
Will AP exams be digital or in-person in 2026?
Most AP exams are administered in-person at your school or designated testing site. There are a few subjects like AP Computer Science Principles might include digital components. The main exams will still be traditional paper-based testing.
