What should I expect on AP Exam day?

Timing of Exams

All students are expected to be at their designated room on time: 8:00am for morning exams and 12:00pm for afternoon exams. Officially, morning exams need to start by 9:00am and afternoon exams need to start by 1:00pm. This means that our room administrators need to begin reading the instructions before that time. Once the room administrators begin reading the instructions, they have “officially” started the exam. 

Morning exams typically end between 12:30-2:00pm, and afternoon exams typically end between 4:30-5:30pm. These are estimated dismissal times for students who test with standard time. Students who test with an extended time accommodation can expect to be dismissed later.

Students should be aware that when they show up at 8:00 (or 12:00pm), there are still administrative tasks (checking attendance, finding seats, reading instructions, etc.) that need to be done before the timed portion of the exams begin, and students should not feel anxious that the exam has started late. Many testing rooms are larger than others. It is expected that large testing rooms will take more time to complete the required administrative tasks. 

College Board has a very lengthy script that our room administrators are expected to read before they can pass out the exams and allow students to start working. This is considered to be part of the exam, so as soon as all students are seated and the room administrator starts reading the script, the exam has officially begun.

AP Exam schedules with room numbers will be added to students' myETHS accounts prior to the start of a student's first AP Exam. Students should arrive to the exam room listed in their myETHS account 10 minutes before their AP Exam is scheduled to begin. Student check-in, distribution of exam material, collection of exam material, and completion of College Board required seating charts may add an additional 30-45 minutes to the overall testing time.

Room Assignments

Room assignments for students will be posted in students' myETHS account the week before AP exams are scheduled to begin. 

Late Arrivals

Students who arrive after the exam books have been distributed will not be allowed to enter the room. Late arrivals will need to see Anya Pierce in N110 to schedule make-up.

We will only order a makeup exam for late testing if students let us know in advance. Makeup exams will be given after the conclusion of the regular AP exam schedule.

No Cell Phones or Wearable Technology

Students will need to put all bags and backpacks under their desk. No cell phones or wearable technology are allowed in the exam room.

If a student has a cell phone, we are required to invalidate their exam and ask the student to leave the room. If a cell phone is in a backpack, and it goes off, that could put the whole testing room at risk of having their scores invalidated.

Students are not allowed to access their electronic devices during breaks.

Testing with Accommodations

We have many students who test with accommodations, in particular with extended time accommodations. College Board requires students to sit for the entire time provided for each section of the exam. If students want to waive their accommodations accommodation, we need parent consent at least one week in advance. As a reminder, students who test with an extended time accommodation can expect to be dismissed later than the larger, standard time rooms.

Students with Conflicting Exams

If a student is scheduled to take two exams at the same time, please direct that student to Anya Pierce in N110 as soon as possible so that we can reschedule one of the exams. 

Students testing with extended time accommodations with a morning and afternoon exam on the same day should contact Anya Pierce to reschedule one of the exams during the make-up window. 

Students are not charged a make-up fee when they have a conflict between two exams.

Any student who needs to make up an exam should contact Anya Pierce as soon as possible to schedule one. 

What should I bring to the exam rooms?

Students are not allowed to access their backpack during breaks. Snacks and drinks must be removed from their backpacks or bags and kept under their desk, only to be accessed during breaks and away from test materials.

Students do not need to bring a photo ID.

Students must bring:

• Fully charged Chromebook. Make sure you know the username and password for sign into your College Board account.
• Pencils (to use on scratch paper)
• If taking a hybrid exam, two black or dark blue pens

Students may also bring:

• A calculator. They will have access to the Desmos calculator in the Bluebook app.
• Snacks and drinks.

What should I NOT bring to the exam rooms?

Cell phones are not allowed in AP Exam testing rooms. College Board rules state that any student observed to have a cell phone will be dismissed from the exam room and their test will be invalidated.

In addition, any digital devices other than their Chromebooks must be turned off and stored in a bag or backpack under the desk. This includes laptops, tablet computers, portable listening or recording devices, cameras or other photographic equipment, watches that beep or have an alarm or watches that are connected to smartphones, devices that can access the Internet, and any other electronic or communication devices.

What periods will I be excused for AP Testing?

What extra resources are available to help me prepare?

Visit the Testing Resources web page for a list of extra resources.

When are my AP exam scores available?

AP Exam scores are available online in early July at apscore.collegeboard.org/scores. Students must sign up for a College Board account in order to access their scores.

For additional information regarding AP testing, please refer to the AP Bulletin for Students and Parents by visiting https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/about-exams.