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Can You Retake an AP Exam?

Can you retake an AP exam? Yes — the College Board allows retakes. Learn how AP retakes work, when to retake, and whether it's worth it for your score.

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Yes, you can retake an AP exam. College Board allows students to take the same AP exam in a future year. There's no limit on how many times you can retake, and you can choose which scores to send to colleges.

How AP Retakes Work

  • AP exams are offered once per year, in May. To retake, you register again for the following year's exam through your school or as an independent exam taker.
  • You don't need to be currently enrolled in the AP class to take the exam.
  • Scores from all years are reported separately — you can then choose which score(s) to send to colleges using the "Score Send" feature on College Board.
  • Colleges only see scores you choose to send. You can withhold specific scores.

Is Retaking an AP Exam Worth It?

It depends on the score and your college goals. If you scored a 2 or lower and the subject is relevant to your major, retaking with serious prep can move you to a 4-5 range. If you scored a 3 and your target school accepts 3s for credit, the effort might not be worth it.

How to Prepare for a Retake

The biggest mistake retakers make is doing the same prep that didn't work the first time. The most effective retake prep is: practice under timed conditions, review the FRQ rubric (not just content), and focus on the sections where you lost the most points.

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