AP Exam Day Policies

Know what to do (and not do) on exam day.

Here are some important exam day policies to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to take your AP Exam.  More information may be found here.

What to Bring to the Exam Room

You want to be prepared with items such as No. 2 pencils for your multiple-choice answer sheet, pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams, and your government-issued or school-issued photo I.D.

If you’re taking the AP Calculus AB, Calculus BC , Chemistry, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics or Statistics Exams, you should bring an approved calculator for use on designated parts of the exam.

What Not to Bring to the Exam Room

You don’t want to bring any electronic equipment or communication devices, like cell phones, smart phones, tablets or anything else that can access the Internet, any cameras or other photographic equipment, or even any watches that beep or have an alarm. You may not have any food or drink in the exam room, including bottled water.

A complete listing of “What to Bring to the Exam Room” and “What NOT to Bring to the Exam Room” can be found in the Bulletin for AP Students and Parents, or click here.

Break

During the break between Sections I and II of your AP Exam, or during any other unscheduled breaks, you are not allowed to consult textbooks, notes, teachers or other students; and you may not use any electronic or communication devices, like your cell phone, for any reason.

Also, you may not leave the building at any time during the exam administration, including during a scheduled break.

Remember, whether it is during breaks or after the exam, you must not communicate anything to anyone, including your classmates and your teachers, about the multiple choice questions that appeared on your AP Exam.

Discussing Exam Questions

Do not email, text, post or in any other way circulate AP Exam information through any kind of social media, or your AP Exam score may be canceled and you could also be banned from taking future AP Exams.

Also, while you are able to talk about the free-response questions from the regularly scheduled exam, you can only do so after two days and if your particular free-response questions have been posted to the College Board website.

The AP Exam is intended to be a fair assessment of your academic ability. Sharing exam information in any unauthorized way compromises the integrity of the exam for all AP students, and for the colleges and universities that grant credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP scores.

Reporting Exam Day Problems

If you believe there is a problem while you are taking the exam (e.g., you aren’t given enough time for a section of the exam, or the directions you receive are incorrect), notify your AP Coordinator immediately so that any necessary action can be taken as soon as possible. If that doesn’t resolve the situation, speak to your principal.

If you are home-schooled or do not have an AP Coordinator at your school, contact AP Services.

Reporting Ambiguous or Incorrect AP Exam Questions

AP Exam questions are developed and reviewed carefully by qualified education professionals. However, if you believe there is a problem with a question, print and complete the AP Exam Question Ambiguity and Error Form (.pdf/502 KB), and mail or fax it to AP Assessment Development no later than June 15 of the year you took the exam.

AP Assessment Development
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Fax: 610-290-8979

Do not discuss the question with your exam proctor or your teacher. If necessary, action will be taken before the scores are reported.