The AP Exams are approaching, which means it is a good time to be sure that everyone is informed and prepared for the upcoming exams. To this end, here is a brief FAQ about the administration of AP exams for parents. For more detailed information, please refer to the 2017-2018 Bulletin for AP Students and Parents.
When are the AP Exams?
The 2018 AP exams begin on the morning of Monday, May 8th and continue through Friday, May 18th. There are two exam periods scheduled each day: the first beginning at 8am, and the second at 12:00 noon. For a complete schedule, click here.
How long are the exams?
The length of the exams vary; length also depends on whether or not your student has extended time. Most regular exams range from 3-3.5 hours in duration. Extended time students can have exams lasting over 5 hours.
What if we have a conflict with a scheduled exam?
The short answer: it depends on the conflict! College Board has a very precise set of rules governing when exams can be given. This is primarily for security reasons, inasmuch as these exams are being given in time zones across the globe on the same one-to-two-day period.
If you have a conflict on the day/time of an exam, please contact the AP Coordinator. Your son or daughter will be given an opportunity to take a late exam at a later date in May (already pre-determined by College Board), provided that the decision is made in time to order a late exam. Late exam fees are $45.00/exam; College Board will waive the fee under a limited set of circumstances.
Students who have extended time and have two exams in the same day should contact the AP Coordinator, Dr. Hull at hulld@esdallas.org as soon as possible to determine if there are any issues with taking both exams. Several students have already been contacted.
What should my son or daughter bring to the exam?
- Several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers for all responses on your multiple-choice answer sheet. (Students outside the U.S.: bring HB or No. 2 pencils.)
- Pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams.
- A watch that does not have internet access, does not beep, and does not have an alarm.
- Up to two approved calculators with the necessary capabilities if you're taking an AP Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, or Statistics Exam. Visit exploreap.org/calculatorpolicy) to learn more about the calculator policy for each of these exams and for a list of authorized calculators.
- A ruler or straightedge only if you're taking an AP Physics Exam. Protractors are not allowed.
- Your Social Security number for identification purposes (optional).
You should not bring the following to the exam room:
- Electronic equipment (cell phone, smartphone, smartwatch, laptop, tablet computer, etc.), portable listening or recording devices (MP3 player, iPod, etc.), cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the internet, or other electronic or communication devices
- Books, compasses, protractors, mechanical pencils, No. 3 pencils, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, notes, or colored pencils
- Scratch paper; notes can be made on portions of the exam booklets or, for Chinese Language and Culture only, on scratch paper provided by the proctor
- Watches that beep or have an alarm
- Computers
- Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions
- Ear plugs
- Clothing or shoes with subject-related information
- Food or drink
- Clipboards
- Rulers or straightedges (except as noted above)
- Calculators (except as noted above)
What is the pre-administration meeting and does my student have to attend?
The pre-administration meetings will be held in April. There will be 4 or 5 sessions, before and after school. The goals of these meetings are to: (1) inform your students of the rules surrounding the AP Exams and be clear about expectations; and (2) to allow the students to fill out the bubbles with general information so that this task does not have to be done on the day of the exam (which would require an earlier start).
What should my student expect on exam day?
On exam day, your student should arrive at the exam room at least 15-20 minutes prior to the start of the exam. They will be assigned a seat and provided with their AP Packet. Proctors will give the students very clear instructions and guide them through the exam process. No other individuals EXCEPT for the students, the proctors, and AP administrators at the school will be allowed in the testing room.
The exam will start as soon as close to the start time as possible; any student who does not arrive once the exam has begun will not be allowed to begin the exam. Students may go to the restroom alone, one at a time. There will be 10-minute monitored breaks between Sections I and II of the exam. Students have to stay in a designated area and should not place any materials in that area prior to the exam. Please know that students are not allowed to leave the exam room early, even if they are finished with the exam. All students must stay the full time and will be dismissed as a group.
Are there any rules or information we need to be aware of as a family?
College Board is very concerned with the discussion of exam material outside of the exam, even after the exam is over. Students and educators alike may only discuss the specific free-response content that is released on the College Board website 2 days after the exam administration. This "silent zone" includes any comments made on social media. College Board reserves the right to cancel any scores from a student that has violated this rule.
Does my son or daughter HAVE to take the exam?
The Episcopal School of Dallas does require that every student who is enrolled in an AP class must take the AP Exam except under extremely extenuating circumstances. Students who fail to come to their AP Exam are required to take a final exam in that class inasmuch as the AP exam takes the place of a final exam.
What if my son or daughter is sick on the day of the exam?
Illness happens, and no one is at fault in these circumstances. If your son or daughter becomes too ill to take the exam, a late exam can be taken at the end of May (see dates below).
How do we pay for these exams? How much are they?
Exams are paid for through the Eagle's Nest at ESD; fees will be charged to your account in March. Regular exams are $94.00 per exam, with the exception of AP Seminar, which is $142.00 per exam. As noted above, late exams will likely incur an additional $45 fee.
How does extended time testing work?
College Board has prepared special time tables for extended time students which ESD will adhere to on the testing day. Extended time students (as well as students with other special accommodations, e.g., computer use) will be tested in separate rooms according to their accommodations. Students with extended time need to be prepared for up to five or more hours of testing; there are multiple breaks in these situations. If there are any questions regarding extended time, please contact the AP Coordinator, Donna Hull at hulld@esdallas.org or ESD's Learning Specialist, Hilary Hodgson, hodgsonh@esdallas.org.
When are the late exams?
Late exams are given Wednesday, May 23 through Friday, May 25. Each exam has a specific date and time. If you anticipate a late exam, please contact hulld@esdallas.org as soon as possible.
When do we get the scores and how?
Scores will be available online at apscore.org in early July. To access and send scores to colleges or universities, students must:
- Create a College Board account if they have not already;
- Use the email address that they provided on their AP answer sheet when creating their account;
- Provide their AP number or student identifier (they will receive these at pre-administration)
- Enter identifying information carefully and CONSISTENTLY on their answer sheets. Changes in email addresses, nickname vs. formal name, etc., can result in delays.