2027 AP exam schedule: Key dates to know
AP exam season is a time when students across the country prepare to demonstrate their knowledge acquired through an academic year’s worth of hard work. The AP exam schedule is a crucial resource for organizing your study plan, tracking multiple exam dates, and ensuring you’re prepared for each test you’re signed up for. By referencing the 2027 schedule in advance, you can create a personalized timeline that helps manage your workload, allocate study sessions, and minimize stress.
Whether you’re enrolled in a single AP course or tackling multiple exams, being aware of your specific testing dates allows you to focus your efforts and develop effective strategies on how to study and when, making a significant impact on your performance.
AP exam dates 2027
AP exams are administered by the College Board over two weeks in May, in two sessions a day. In most of the U.S., Session 1 starts at 8:00 AM local time and Session 2 at 12:00 PM local time. Below are the scheduled dates for all exams in 2027:
Week 1: May 3-7, 2027
| Date | Session 1 (morning) | Session 2 (afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 3 | Human Geography, Physics C: Mechanics | Biology, Italian Language and Culture |
| Tuesday, May 4 | Business with Personal Finance, United States Government and Politics | European History, Microeconomics |
| Wednesday, May 5 | Cybersecurity, English Literature and Composition | Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
| Thursday, May 6 | French Language and Culture, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, World History: Modern | African American Studies, Chemistry |
| Friday, May 7 | German Language and Culture, United States History | Macroeconomics, Networking (2026-27 pilot schools only) |
Week 2: May 10-14, 2027
| Date | Session 1 (morning) | Session 2 (afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 10 | Calculus AB, Calculus BC | Music Theory, Seminar |
| Tuesday, May 11 | Japanese Language and Culture, Precalculus | Statistics |
| Wednesday, May 12 | English Language and Composition | Art History, Computer Science A |
| Thursday, May 13 | Spanish Language and Culture | Chinese Language and Culture, Environmental Science |
| Friday, May 14 | Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science Principles, Spanish Literature and Culture | Latin, Psychology |
The 2027 schedule includes AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity, and AP Networking for schools in its 2026-27 pilot.
Some courses also have AP Digital Portfolio deadlines, all at 11:59 PM ET:
- April 30, 2027: AP Computer Science Principles (Create performance task), AP Seminar and AP Research (performance tasks), and AP world language and culture courses (Personalized Project Reference)
- May 7, 2027: AP Art and Design (all three portfolio components)
If you’re in two classes with conflicting exam dates and times, don’t worry: you can take one exam during the College Board’s late-testing dates:
Late testing: May 17-21, 2027
| Date | Session 1 (morning) | Session 2 (afternoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, May 17 | English Literature and Composition, European History, Networking (2026-27 pilot schools only) | Business with Personal Finance, French Language and Culture, Human Geography |
| Tuesday, May 18 | Art History, Italian Language and Culture, Seminar, United States Government and Politics | Cybersecurity, Japanese Language and Culture, United States History, World History: Modern |
| Wednesday, May 19 | African American Studies, Biology, Microeconomics, Music Theory, Physics 1: Algebra-Based | Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture |
| Thursday, May 20 | Chemistry, Computer Science A, Environmental Science, Latin, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Precalculus | Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Comparative Government and Politics, German Language and Culture, Physics C: Mechanics |
| Friday, May 21 | Chinese Language and Culture, English Language and Composition, Macroeconomics, Psychology, Statistics | Computer Science Principles, Physics 2: Algebra-Based |
Tests are administered in school, though students whose high schools do not offer a specific course or exam will need to register for their test at an alternate location. Your course instructor will not be proctoring the exam or available to answer questions; instead, a teacher of another subject, a substitute teacher, or another authorized adult will be in charge of exam delivery and monitoring, so prepare accordingly.
Exam start times
As stated above, exams are delivered at two different times during the day, during specific time windows. Most exams take 2-3 hours, giving you enough time to complete two exams in a day if required:
- Session 1 (morning): Begins between 8:00 and 9:00 AM local time in most of the U.S.
- Session 2 (afternoon): Begins between 12:00 and 1:00 PM local time in most of the U.S.
New for 2027: schools in Alaska and outside the U.S. follow updated start times (in Alaska, 7:00 AM and 11:00 AM). Check your school’s times with College Board’s start time lookup tool.
Be in the classroom or other location where the exam is given before the planned start time. If you arrive after the exam has started, your school may not let you in, and you may have to take the exam during the late-testing period, if your school allows.
Why the schedule matters
Knowing the schedule ahead of time helps you create a balanced study plan, prioritize what to study first, and plan breaks to help your mind reset. Here’s a brief to-do list to complete before your AP tests:
- Plan your study calendar and review sessions based on the official AP exam schedule for 2027, especially if you are preparing for multiple AP exams.
- Prevent scheduling conflicts by double-checking your exam dates and times. If two of your AP exams are scheduled at the same time, your school may offer a late-testing option.
- Speak with your AP coordinator or teacher promptly to resolve any conflicts or questions about your exam schedule.
- Confirm your required arrival time for each of your AP exams to avoid any last-minute surprises. Arriving early helps reduce pre-exam stress and ensures a smooth check-in process for all your AP exams.
- Review the format and requirements for each AP exam on your schedule.
- Some AP exams are digital or require specific calculators or materials: check these details in advance as part of your study plan.
Having the exact dates for when your AP exams are scheduled enables you to create a clear, practical plan for how to study for AP exams and set milestones leading up to test day.
Study strategy using the schedule
Even if you’re months away from your test(s), there are still ways you can start planning as soon as today:
- Mark all your exam dates in a planner or digital calendar.
- Work backward from each exam date. Create study milestones such as “complete Unit 3 review by April 15.”
- Prioritize subjects based on order. Focus on early exams first, then move to later ones.
- Space out your review. Use the early months for learning and the final weeks for focused practice.
- Prepare the night before each exam. Get plenty of rest, review key topics, and gather necessary materials, such as your ID, pencils, pens, and calculators.
About a quarter of students took three or more AP exams in 2025, which can be a lot to juggle. By knowing what to expect in May, you can create a sustainable study plan, avoid last-minute cramming, and manage your time effectively.
Key takeaways
Preparing for AP exams requires dedication, organization, and a structured outline that aligns with your scheduled exam dates. With the 2027 AP exam schedule in mind, start planning early by marking all your critical dates and milestones in a planner. Develop a study timeline tailored to each subject, focusing on effective strategies for preparing for AP exams. Prioritize thorough six-week reviews before the test dates, set benchmarks like “finish Chapter 4 notes by mid-March,” and build in time to rest and recharge. When your scheduled exam days arrive, you’ll be prepared, confident, and ready to get that 5 out of 5.
