📱 Quick Access to Your AP Scores
Sign in at apstudents.collegeboard.org with your College Board account. Scores are released in early-to-mid July, starting at 8 AM Eastern.
After months of studying and hours of testing, the moment you've been waiting for is finally here—AP score release day. Whether you're checking to see if you earned college credit or just want closure after a challenging exam, knowing exactly how to access your scores saves precious time and stress.
This guide walks you through everything: when scores are released, how to access them step-by-step, what to do if something goes wrong, and how to send your scores to colleges.
📋 What's In This Guide
When Are AP Scores Released?
AP scores are typically released in early to mid-July—about two months after the May exam administration. The College Board announces the exact date closer to the release.
📅 2026 Score Release
Based on historical patterns, 2026 AP scores will likely be released during the first or second week of July 2026. The exact date will be announced in spring 2026.
Score Release Schedule
Scores aren't released to everyone at once. Here's how the rollout typically works:
East Coast First
Students in eastern states typically get access first, starting at 8 AM Eastern Time.
Geographic Rollout
Scores are released in waves throughout the day, moving westward across time zones.
Full Release
All students typically have access within 3-5 days of the initial release.
⚠️ Why the Wait?
Unlike multiple-choice tests that computers score instantly, AP free-response sections are hand-graded by teachers and professors at the “AP Reading” in June. This careful human review takes time but ensures accurate, fair scoring.
How to Check Your AP Scores: Step-by-Step
Viewing your scores is straightforward—if you're prepared. Follow these steps:
Go to the College Board Website
Navigate to apstudents.collegeboard.org or go directly to the scores page at apscore.collegeboard.org
Sign In to Your College Board Account
Use the same username and password you used for My AP, SAT registration, or other College Board services. Don't create a new account!
Confirm Your Identity
You may need to verify your personal information. Have your AP ID number handy (the one from your answer sheet) in case it's requested.
View Your Scores
Once logged in, you'll see a list of all AP exams you've taken and your scores. You can download or print your score report.
💡 Pro Tip: Prepare Early
Sign into your College Board account before score release day to make sure you remember your login credentials. The website gets heavy traffic on release day, and resetting passwords takes extra time.
What You'll See on Your Score Report
Your online AP score report includes:
Your Personal Information
Name, date of birth, and other identifying details
All AP Exams You've Taken
Complete history of exams from all years, not just this year
Your Score for Each Exam (1-5)
The final scaled score—not a breakdown by section or raw points
Score Send Status
Which colleges have received (or will receive) your scores
AP Scholar Awards (If Earned)
Recognition for outstanding performance across multiple exams
To understand what each score means for college credit and your future, check out our complete guide on AP scores and what they mean.
| Score | Meaning | College Credit? |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremely Well Qualified | Yes, at most colleges |
| 4 | Well Qualified | Yes, at most colleges |
| 3 | Qualified | Yes, at many colleges |
| 2 | Possibly Qualified | Rarely |
| 1 | No Recommendation | No |
Sending Your Scores to Colleges
Getting your scores is just the first step—you'll also need to send them to colleges for credit and placement consideration.
Free Score Send
Every year you take AP exams, you get one free score report to send to a college of your choice. Here's what you need to know:
✅ Deadline
June 20 of the exam year
📬 Delivery
Scores arrive by early July
Additional Score Reports
Need to send scores to more than one college? Here are your options:
| Option | Cost | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Delivery | $15 per report | 7-14 business days |
| Rush Delivery | $25 per report | 5-9 business days |
For complete information on all AP-related costs, including score sending fees, see our AP exam fees guide.
How to Send Additional Scores
- Sign in to your College Board account
- Navigate to “Send AP Scores”
- Search for your college by full name (not abbreviations—use “University of Michigan” not “UMICH”)
- Select your delivery option and pay
- Your entire score history will be sent unless you've withheld or canceled specific scores
⚠️ Important Timing Note
Score report orders placed between June 20 (6:30 PM ET) and July 1 (6:30 PM ET) won't be processed until July 1. Plan accordingly if you need scores delivered by a specific deadline.
Who Else Can See Your Scores?
You're not the only one with access to your AP scores. Here's who gets them automatically:
Your School & AP Teachers
Your high school and AP teachers receive access to your scores
Your Free Score Send Recipient
The college you designated (if any) receives your full score report
State Education Agencies (Some States)
Kentucky, for example, automatically receives scores—you can opt out by June 15
Your parents do NOT have automatic access to your scores. They can only see them if you share your College Board login information with them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Can't find your scores? Here's how to fix the most common problems:
❌ “I can't log in to my account”
Use the “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password” options on the login page. Make sure you're using the same email address you registered with. If you've changed your email, you may need to update it or contact AP Services.
❌ “My scores aren't showing up”
Scores are released in waves by region—yours may not be available yet. Also, late-testing scores may take a few extra days to process. If your scores aren't visible by August 15, contact AP Services for Students.
❌ “Some of my exams are missing”
This often happens when you have duplicate College Board accounts. Contact AP Services to merge your accounts. Also note: exams taken before 2018 are archived and won't appear online—you'll need to request them via mail.
❌ “The website is slow or crashing”
Score release day brings heavy traffic. Try again later in the day, use a different browser, or wait until the next day when traffic subsides. Your scores will still be there!
❌ “My name doesn't match my exam registration”
If there's a discrepancy between your account name and what you wrote on your answer sheet, it can delay score matching. Contact AP Services to resolve the issue.
📞 AP Services for Students Contact
Phone: 888-225-5427 (toll-free in US) or 212-632-1780
Note: Response times are longer during July score release period
Additional Score Services
The College Board offers several services if you want to take action on your scores:
Withhold a Score
$10/scorePrevents a specific score from being sent to colleges. You can release it later if you change your mind.
Cancel a Score
$10/scorePermanent! Deletes a score from your record entirely. Cannot be undone or retrieved.
Multiple-Choice Rescore
$30/examRequest hand-scoring of your multiple-choice section. Score may go up, down, or stay the same. Deadline: October 31.
Free-Response Booklet
$15/examGet a copy of your free-response answers (without scores or comments). Good for seeing what you wrote. Cannot be rescored.
What to Do After You Get Your Scores
Once you've seen your results, here are your next steps:
🎯
Check Credit Policies
Look up your colleges' AP credit policies to see what scores they accept and how many credits you'll earn.
📤
Send Scores
If you haven't already, send your scores to the college you'll attend. Most schools need them by late July/early August.
📚
Sell Your Books
Done with your prep materials? Sell your AP books to recoup some costs and help next year's students.
💼
Plan Your Summer
Use your free time productively—consider online jobs to earn money for college expenses.
If you're preparing for more AP exams next year, start thinking about your course load and study strategy. Good time management throughout the year is key to success. You can also explore online learning platforms to supplement your classroom learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my scores early?
No. AP scores cannot be released early for any reason. Everyone gets access during the same July release period, following the geographic rollout schedule.
Will I get a paper score report in the mail?
No. AP scores are only available online through your College Board account. You can print or download your score report from the website.
How long are my AP scores valid?
AP scores don't expire—they're valid indefinitely. However, some colleges may have policies about how old scores can be for credit purposes, so check with your institution.
Can I see my raw score or section breakdown?
No. You only receive your final scaled score (1-5). The College Board doesn't provide raw scores, section scores, or question-by-question results.
What if I took AP exams before 2018?
Scores from exams taken before 2018 are archived and not viewable online. You can only send them to colleges by making a request via mail or fax to the College Board.
Do colleges see scores I didn't send them?
No. Colleges only see scores you choose to send. They won't see withheld or canceled scores, and they won't know those scores ever existed.
How do AP scores affect my application to college?
AP scores have minimal impact on admissions—taking challenging courses matters more than the exam scores. Scores are primarily used for credit and placement after you're admitted. However, strong scores (4s and 5s) can demonstrate subject mastery. Consider how your scores compare to other standardized tests like the ACT when planning your application strategy.
📚 Related Resources
- What AP Scores Mean — Understanding the 1-5 scale and college credit
- AP Exam Schedule 2026 — All exam dates and deadlines
- AP Exam Fees — Costs for exams and score services
- Job Interview Tips — Prepare for your next opportunity
Ready to Check Your Scores?
Sign in to your College Board account at apstudents.collegeboard.org to view your AP exam results. Remember to use the same account you used for registration!
Good luck! 🎓
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