Can Students Retake AP Exams? Rules, Retakes, and Planning

Retaking an AP exam is possible, but it involves specific rules and trade-offs. This article explains whether you can retake AP exams, what happens if you don’t pass, how score reporting works, and how to plan a successful AP exam retake. It focuses on the exam rather than the course, making it useful for both school-based and self-studying students, and highlights how AP scores can support college placement and, in some cases, college credit.

Introduction

AP exams are designed to test college-level understanding at the end of secondary school. For many students, they are taken to strengthen university applications, support advanced placement, or earn credit before starting college. When results don’t reflect a student’s ability or circumstances have interfered, the question naturally arises: Can I retake an AP exam?

This guide brings together official policies and practical advice to help students and families understand AP exam retakes clearly. It explains when retakes are allowed, how colleges view multiple scores, and how to decide whether retaking an AP exam makes sense for your goals.

Understanding AP Exam Retake Policies

Clear knowledge of AP exam retake policies allows students to plan ahead and decide their next steps with confidence and realistic expectations.

Can Students Retake an AP Exam?

Yes, students are allowed to retake AP exams. The College Board permits students to take the same AP exam again in a later year, but since exams are offered only once per year, usually in May, any retake must wait until the next exam cycle. There is no fixed limit on the number of retakes while the exam remains available, and students can prepare for the exam independently without repeating the AP class.

Withholding vs. Canceling Scores

If you are unhappy with a result, you have two options for managing score visibility. These options help clarify what happens if you fail an AP exam or score below expectations. Here is how the two choices differ:

Withholding a score hides it from selected colleges, so they won’t see that you took the exam. It involves a fee per college and can be reversed later.
Canceling a score permanently removes it from your College Board record. It is free but irreversible.

Before deciding, remember that most universities do not require official AP score reports during applications. Scores are often sent later for placement or credit decisions.

Rules on Same-Year Retakes

Can you take an AP exam twice in the same year? No. Students cannot take the same AP exam twice in one year. Each AP exam is offered once per year, so any retake must wait until the following spring. This rule applies even if you were unhappy with your performance or experienced stress on exam day. Planning ahead is essential if you are considering a retake.

When students are familiar with the retake rules, score reporting options, and timing limits, they are better equipped to make smart, well-timed decisions about AP exams.

Why Students Consider Retaking AP Exams

Students often think about retaking AP exams when their results fall short of expectations or don’t accurately reflect their knowledge and preparation.

Common Reasons for Retakes

Students choose to retake AP exams for many reasons, and not all are related to academic weakness. Below are some common situations that make students consider an AP exam retake.

Illness or emergency on exam day that affected focus: Being unwell or dealing with an unexpected situation can make it difficult to concentrate, even if you were well prepared.
Use of outdated or incorrect study materials: Studying from resources that no longer match the current exam format or syllabus can lead to gaps in knowledge and lost marks.
Late diagnosis of a learning difference without accommodations: Students who did not yet have approved accommodations may underperform compared to their true ability.
Heavy workload that limited exam preparation time: A demanding schedule with multiple subjects or commitments can reduce the time available for focused AP exam revision.
Test-day errors such as forgetting calculator use or pacing poorly: Simple mistakes, like mismanaging time or not using allowed tools effectively, can significantly affect the final score.

Language AP exams, including AP German and AP Spanish, deserve special mention here. Students often take them to demonstrate bilingual ability, cultural understanding, or readiness for advanced language study at university. In these cases, a higher score may support placement into higher-level courses rather than credit, which can still be valuable.

Risks and Trade-Offs

Retaking an AP exam requires time, energy, and an additional financial commitment, so students need to think carefully about how preparation will fit alongside new coursework, activities, and overall wellbeing.

Key trade-offs include paying the exam fee again, balancing revision with new academic demands, and recognising that colleges often value course rigor more than repeated exam attempts, which is why a retake is usually worthwhile only when there is a clear chance of achieving a higher score that supports placement or credit goals.

Recognising these reasons makes it easier to judge whether an AP exam retake is a sensible and worthwhile decision.

How to Retake an AP Exam Successfully

Retaking an AP exam can be successful with the right approach, as long as students understand the process and prepare with a clear structure and realistic goals.

Registering for a Retake

Registering for an AP exam retake follows the same process as the first attempt. It is usually done through a school’s AP coordinator or an authorised test centre for self-studying students. Deadlines are strict, fees apply each time you sit the exam, and schools must order exams well in advance, so contacting the AP coordinator early helps prevent last-minute issues.

Building an Effective Study Plan

A strong study plan is essential for a successful retake of the AP exam. Preparation should focus on weaknesses from the first attempt rather than starting from scratch. A balanced study plan often includes:

Reviewing official course frameworks and exam formats: This helps you focus on exactly what is assessed and avoid revising content that is no longer tested.
Practising timed multiple-choice and free-response questions: Working under exam conditions builds confidence, improves pacing, and reduces pressure on test day.
Analysing mark schemes to understand scoring expectations: This shows how points are awarded and helps you tailor answers to what examiners are looking for.
Scheduling regular revision sessions over several months: Spreading revision over time supports better retention and prevents last-minute cramming.

For self-studying students, structure is especially important. Clear goals, accountability, and expert feedback can make a significant difference.

Test-Day Tips for Retakes

Approaching exam day calmly and strategically can improve performance, especially for students retaking an exam who already know the format. Practising pacing with full-length papers, preparing materials such as calculators and pens in advance, and reading instructions carefully all help with time management, while targeted and realistic preparation often leads to greater confidence on a second attempt.

With careful registration, focused revision, and confident test-day strategies, an AP exam retake can be a productive step towards stronger results and better college outcomes.

Special Situations & Exceptions

Some students face unexpected circumstances or unique exam formats, so it’s essential to understand how AP retakes work in special situations and exceptions.

Missed Exams and Late Testing

If you missed your AP exam due to illness or an emergency, you may be eligible for late testing. This option is designed for unexpected situations and helps address concerns about what happens if you miss your AP exam.

Late testing is not guaranteed and depends on approval from your AP coordinator, with documentation often required. If late testing is not approved, you will need to wait until the following year to retake the exam.

Retakes for AP Capstone or Performance Tasks

Some AP subjects include performance tasks or portfolios instead of a traditional written exam. The rules for retaking these components vary by subject and are set by the College Board. In most cases, performance tasks cannot be retaken on their own, and students must follow subject-specific guidance. Retakes may require re-submission in a later exam cycle, so it’s important to check the official College Board policies and guidelines carefully before making a decision.

Knowing these exceptions helps students respond calmly and make informed decisions when standard AP exam rules don’t quite apply.

Pros and Cons of Retaking AP Exams

Retaking an AP exam can be helpful in some situations, but it also comes with clear drawbacks, so weighing the pros and cons carefully is essential before deciding.

Advantages of Retaking

Retaking an AP exam can be beneficial in the right circumstances. It can support academic goals when used strategically. Key advantages include:

Opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement: A higher AP score may allow students to skip introductory university courses or move straight into more advanced classes, depending on the institution’s policy.
Chance to demonstrate improvement after setbacks: Retaking the exam allows students to show growth and stronger performance if circumstances affected their first attempt.
Better alignment between ability and exam result: A retake can produce a score that more accurately reflects a student’s true understanding and exam skills.

When preparation is focused and well-supported, retakes can lead to meaningful gains.

Disadvantages of Retaking

Retakes are not always the best choice. Understanding the downsides helps students decide wisely. Possible disadvantages include:

Additional cost and time commitment. Retaking an AP exam means paying the exam fee again and investing months of extra study time that could be used for other academic priorities.
Limited impact on admissions decisions. Most universities place greater weight on course rigor and grades, so a higher retake score may not significantly change an admissions outcome.
Stress from balancing preparation with new coursework. Preparing for a retake alongside current classes can increase pressure and make it harder to maintain balance and wellbeing.

Students who already earned a score of 4 often gain little from retaking, as many universities already award placement or credit.

Decision-Making Framework

Before committing to an AP exam retake, students should take time to weigh their goals, circumstances, and potential benefits using a clear and practical decision-making framework.

Questions to Ask Before Retaking

Students should reflect honestly on their situation before deciding. A clear framework helps avoid unnecessary retakes. Ask yourself the following:

Will a higher score meaningfully affect college placement or credit?
Were there clear, fixable reasons for the lower score?
Can I commit consistent time to preparation this year?
Would withholding the score achieve the same outcome?

If the answer to these questions is mostly no, a retake may not be necessary.

Sample Retake Timeline and Strategy

A realistic timeline supports steady progress without burnout. A sample approach might look like this:

Summer: review weaker topics in detail and familiarise yourself with the exam structure, question types, and scoring criteria.
Autumn: practise targeted questions regularly, focusing on areas that caused difficulty before and refining exam technique and timing.
Winter: complete full-length practice exams under timed conditions and carefully analyse your results to identify patterns and remaining gaps.
Spring: revise lightly and strategically, focusing on confidence, pacing, and staying calm and consistent for exam day.

This gradual approach suits both school-based and self-study students.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I retake an AP exam more than once?

Yes. You can retake an AP exam as many times as it is offered, which is once per year. All attempts appear on your score report unless you withhold or cancel a score.

Will colleges see all my AP scores?

Colleges will see all scores you choose to send. Withheld scores are hidden, while canceled scores are permanently removed. Most colleges request official scores only after admission.

Can I take the same AP exam twice in one year?

No. AP exams are offered only once per year, so students cannot take the same AP exam twice in the same year and must wait until the following exam cycle to attempt a retake.

What if I missed my exam due to illness or an emergency?

You may be eligible for late testing if approved by your AP coordinator. If not, you can retake the exam the following year.

Is there a cost to cancel or withhold a score?

Canceling a score is free and permanently removes it from your College Board record. Withholding a score, however, involves a fee for each college you choose to hide it from, and there is an additional fee if you later decide to release that score.

Do retakes look bad on college applications?

Generally, no. Colleges focus on overall academic rigor. If a retake tells a positive story of growth or improved performance, it can be explained or left without comment.

Can Students Retake AP exams?