2027 AP Late Testing: May 17-21 Schedule, Conflicts and What Students Should Do

The 2027 AP late-testing window is May 17-21

College Board schedules a separate late-testing administration after the regular May 3-14 AP Exam window. For 2027, late testing runs Monday, May 17 through Friday, May 21. It is designed for approved situations such as a same-time exam conflict or another reason that prevents a student from testing during the regular administration.

Late testing is coordinated by your school

Students should not independently choose a late-testing date because it feels more convenient. AP coordinators order late-testing exams and tell students when and where to report. If you already know that two of your regular AP Exams are scheduled in the same session, tell the coordinator early so the conflict can be handled through the official process.

2027 late-testing schedule

When late testing is especially important

The clearest case is a schedule conflict. If two AP Exams that you plan to take occur in the same regular session, you cannot physically complete both at once. College Board's late-testing system gives coordinators a way to move the affected exam into the official late schedule. Other approved circumstances can also apply, but the school should determine the correct route using current AP policy.

Do not confuse late testing with an early alternative

College Board states that early testing or testing outside the published AP schedule is not permitted. A student cannot simply take an exam before its national administration because of travel, sports, or preference. If a legitimate conflict exists, work with the AP coordinator on the official late-testing option instead.

May 14 matters for U.S. late-testing orders

College Board's 2026-27 key-date timeline lists May 14, 2027 as the deadline for U.S. coordinators to submit orders for late testing. Students should report known conflicts well before that point. Waiting until the regular window is almost over can make school planning harder.

Will late testing change your score scale?

Do not assume a late-testing score is automatically penalized because it comes from a different administration. AP scoring is designed around the specific exam form and established scoring procedures. Your practical priority should be preparing for the subject and following the exact late-testing instructions your school provides.

What should you bring?

Your coordinator should give you the same kind of exam-day instructions you receive for the regular administration: reporting location, time, identification requirements if applicable, permitted materials, calculator rules where relevant, and digital-device procedures for exams delivered digitally. Do not copy another student's checklist because allowed materials differ by subject.

What if you miss both the regular and late windows?

Do not assume another national makeup date will automatically be available. Contact the AP coordinator immediately if an emergency affects your scheduled administration. The coordinator can determine whether College Board offers any applicable option for the specific circumstance.

Conflict-planning checklist

1. List every AP Exam you plan to take.
2. Match each subject to the official May 3-14 date and session.
3. Highlight any same-session conflicts.
4. Report conflicts to the AP coordinator early.
5. Write down the assigned late-testing date only after the school confirms it.
6. Keep preparing for the moved exam; do not treat the extra days as a reason to delay all study.

Use the regular 2027 AP schedule first, then compare it with this late-testing table. If the issue is a school start-time question rather than a date conflict, see the 2027 AP start-time guide.