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Home » Assessment » Advanced Placement (AP) » Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Fees

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Fees

Following a School Board approved change, starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Arlington Public Schools will pay for up to three AP exams each year for students taking the corresponding AP classes.

If a student plans to take more than three AP exams and does not opt-out by October 31, 2025, they will be charged a fee for the fourth exam and any additional exams.

  • AP exam fees are waived for eligible students in the free and reduced-price meals program who have submitted consent to share their status on the required form.
  • Families needing help with exam costs should contact their school principal confidentially.
  • Students not enrolled in an APS AP course and/or students receiving Home Instruction are responsible for paying for their AP exams and any late fees. These students are considered “exam-only.”
  • $99 per AP exam which will be invoiced by December.
    NEW for 2025-26: Beginning in 2025-26, the cost of AP Capstone™ Seminar and Research Exams is now the same as all other AP Exams.
  • Exam fees will be invoiced through MySchoolBucks, with payment expected within 30 days of the invoice date.
  • AP exam fees are nonrefundable.

Opt-out Process

In September, AP teachers provide students enrolled in their AP course a Course Join Code to sign up for AP course materials on the College Board website. Once students join, they are automatically signed up to take the AP exam. If a student does not want to take the exam, they must turn in an opt-out form. Schools will distribute opt-out forms to students in October. The opt-out form must be signed by a parent or guardian and turned in by October 31, 2025, so that schools can process exam orders on time.

  • AP exams will be ordered for students who do not submit an opt-out form on or before October 31, 2025.
  • All applicable nonrefundable fees will be assessed for opt-out forms submitted after October 31, 2025.
  • Students not opting out of AP exams do not need to submit a signed opt-out form.

Key AP Exam Deadlines for 2025–26

  • October 31, 2025: APS deadline to submit the AP Exam Opt-Out Form. This form must be signed by a parent or guardian. If the form is not submitted by this date, the student will be registered for the AP exam(s) for courses in which they are enrolled.
  • November 15, 2025: College Board deadline to complete AP exam registration without additional fees. Students who do not opt out by October 31 and remain registered after this date will be invoiced for exam fees for exam #4 and beyond.
  • November 16 and after: A $40 late registration fee per exam will apply for any new registrations. This late registration fee applies for all exams, including those paid by APS.
  • March 1, 2026: Final deadline — no registrations accepted after this date.

Exam-only Students

Students not enrolled in an AP course may register to take an AP exam for a fee.  This may include students receiving Home Instruction and APS students not enrolled in the corresponding AP course offered by APS. The cost for these exams is not covered by APS and students will be invoiced a nonrefundable fee of $99 per exam.  Late exam registration fees will be assessed if applicable.

Fee Payment

MySchoolBucks, a secure online payment portal that accepts VISA® or MasterCard®, will be used for the payment of invoiced AP exam fees. This is the same payment portal that is used to pay for school meals.

AP exam fees will be billed by December. Payment is expected within 30 days of the invoice date. Students who receive free and reduced-priced meals will be excluded from these charges. Families may apply for free and reduced-priced meal benefits using the links on the APS Food and Nutrition Services webpage.

 

What is the opt-out process?

  • Students will receive an AP exam opt-out form on or before October 15, 2025.  Each opt-out form is personalized for each student to reflect their enrolled AP courses for the 2025-26 SY and associated AP exams.
  • Signed forms for students who plan to opt-out of AP exams are due on or before October 31, 2025.
  • Students not opting out of AP exams do not need to submit a signed opt-out form.

 

Do students have to take an AP exam if enrolled in an AP class?

While we strongly encourage students to take the exam(s), participation is not required.

Students taking an AP course will earn an additional quality point by successfully completing the AP course.

What if my student does not turn in an opt-out form?

AP exams for all of the AP courses a student is currently enrolled will be ordered for students who do not submit an opt-out form by October 31, 2025.

All applicable nonrefundable fees will be assessed for opt-out forms submitted after October 31, 2025.

 

How will families pay for AP exam fees?

MySchoolBucks, a secure online payment portal that accepts VISA® or MasterCard®, will be used for the payment of invoiced AP exam fees.

When are AP exam fees due?

AP exam fees will be invoiced by December and payment is due within 30 days.

Additional invoice dates (for late registration that occurs on or after November 16):

  • Invoice #2: January*
  • Invoice #3: March*

*Late registration fee of $40 per exam applies. Please ensure registration is complete on or before November 15 to avoid late fees.

 

Can my student register for their associated AP exam after October 31st?

Yes. Students can continue to register for an AP exam between November 16, 2025 – March 1, 2026; however, families would be responsible for late-registration fees.

College Board assesses a $40 Late Registration Fee, per exam for registrations that occur on or after November 16, 2025. Students should make every effort to register by November 15 to avoid late registration fees. 

The APS final registration deadline is March 1, 2026 after which APS will not accept registrations for any reason due to space planning and staff allocations.

Are AP exam fees refundable?

All AP exam fees are nonrefundable.

 

 

Can my student take a late exam if they can't attend on the scheduled date?

The College Board offers a Late Testing Window during the third week of May (after the main testing period).

If an AP exam must be rescheduled due to reasons approved by the College Board, there is no additional fee.

Late Testing will NOT be approved for the following reasons:

    • Family trips/vacations
    • Athletic/extracurricular events not sponsored by APS
    • Conflict with an in-class activity or assessment
    • Failure to attend the exam (not showing up or showing up tardy)
    • Selecting an incorrect AP Exam subject when submitting exam registration
    • Two AP exams scheduled on the same day but different time (AM and PM)

The College Board charges a $40 fee for any Late Testing that is not on the approved list.

In the event of student illness or emergency the day of testing that prevents the student from attending the test administration at their school, the AP Coordinator must be notified within 24 hours to request Late Testing.

All requests for Late Testing must be directed to the AP Coordinator for approval.

What is the final date a student can drop a course without incurring an exam fee?

Students who drop an AP course by end of first quarter will not be invoiced for the associated exam.

AP exam fees are nonrefundable.

What is the AP exam schedule?

The 2026 AP Exams will take place in May over two weeks: May 4–8 and May 11–15

AP coordinators will communicate specific times and locations for the exams.

Exam Dates