SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Looking for the 2018 AP exam dates? We have the complete 2018 AP test dates, as well as advice for getting through the busy May exam season. Keep reading to stay on top of your 2017-18 schedule and for tips on dealing with the stress of endless AP tests!

2018 AP Exam Dates

Here are the AP exam dates for 2018. All exams take place during the first two weeks of May (you'll receive your results in mid-July). Note that there is not an exam for AP Studio Art, but the portfolio deadline falls during the exam period.

If you’re taking two AP classes whose exam times conflict, talk to your school counselor – College Board will work with you to give you a late testing slot for one of them. 

May 11 is the deadline for AP Studio Art — the last day for Coordinators to submit digital portfolios (by 8 p.m. EDT) and the last day to gather students in 2-D Design and Drawing for portfolio assembly.

 Dates via College Board.

How to Stay Focused During the AP Exam Period

It can be tough to manage your time during May and feel prepared for each AP test – whether you’re taking two AP exams or five!

I’m pretty familiar with the AP time crunch. During my last three years of high school, I had multiple exams every May, and each year had a different but equally challenging schedule. Sophomore year I had three AP tests in one week. Junior year I took two tests in two days. And senior year was more of a marathon – I took four tests, stretching from the first day of testing to the last day.

 Whether your AP schedule feels like a sprint or a marathon, you can expect it to be challenging.

From experience, I know it can be challenging to keep your energy and motivation up during the exam period. So my main piece of advice is to memorize your AP exam schedule as early as possible so you can start preparing for May.

As an example, if you realize you’re going to have three AP tests in three days, you should get all of your studying out of the way before AP exams start. This way you can focus on staying rested during the exam period and not stress yourself out with last-minute cramming.

In contrast, if you realize you have tests on the first Monday, the second Monday, and the last Friday of the exam period, you could plan to do some studying during May for your last two tests. But you should definitely prioritize the test you’re taking on the first Monday and make sure you’re prepared for it before May.

Consult the tables above and figure out what your AP exam schedule looks like for 2018. Next, follow our rules for staying focused and motivated during May.

#1: Don’t Cram!

Make sure you have learned all major concepts and taken at least one practice exam for each test you're taking before May. Trying to do last-minute studying during the exam period, like rushing through a prep book or taking tons of practice exams, will just stress you out. You’ll study more effectively if you give yourself plenty of time. If you finish major studying before May, you can use any extra time to review tricky concepts and make sure you're getting enough rest.

#2: Focus on Your Weak Points

If you have one exam that you know is going to be the hardest for you, prioritize any extra time you have in May towards that test. For example, if you’re taking both AP Calculus AB and AP US History, and you’re pretty confident about Calculus, you can use extra time in May to keep working on AP US History. Memorize dates, practice essay questions, or review your notes. If you try to spend equal time on every upcoming exam in May, you risk spreading yourself too thin. Again, this is why it's so important to begin studying early so you have enough time to learn all major concepts before May!

#3: Timing Is Everything

When doing practice sections in April or May – either multiple choice or free response – make sure you are timing yourself strictly so you are prepared for actual AP test timing. Earlier in the year, it’s appropriate to take untimed multiple choice or free response sections. But right before the AP tests, you need to make sure you are prepared for what the actual exam timing is like. If you do this, it will make taking the AP tests much less stressful, since you'll be used to the time constraints.

#4: Don’t Burn Yourself Out

If you have multiple exams in a week, or two days in a row (or two in a day!), limit heavy studying during that time and instead make sure you’re getting enough rest. Right before an exam, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy meal will do more to improve your score than memorizing a few more facts or doing one more practice test.

#5: Be Self-Reflective

If you’re the type to obsess over studying and get really anxious about tests, actively make time to do something fun or get some exercise during the AP exam period. Whether that's doing yoga, going for a run, or reading a favorite book, taking time to relax can be key. Anxiety will negatively affect your performance!

However, if you’re having a tough time staying motivated late in the year and have been slacking on studying, definitely take the time you have left in May to do some practice sections or review key terms. Remember, finishing strong and doing well on your AP tests is important to getting the most out of your AP classes.

#6: Don’t Forget Your Other Classes!

Most teachers should be sympathetic about homework and assignments during the AP testing period, but make sure you schedule isn’t crammed with cramming in case you have to deal with non-AP class assignments during AP testing. Your high school GPA is very important for college admissions, so don't let AP exams completely distract you from other classes!

#7: Remember Your Goals

Whether you’re hoping to ace AP Spanish so you won’t have to take a language in college, or want to get amazing scores across the board to be competitive for top schools, remember your goals during May. Even though it can be exhausting and stressful to have a handful of AP exams, make sure to keep your reasons for taking the tests in the back of your mind. This will give you the motivation you need to finish strong and pass your exams!

What About AP Test Dates for Future Years?

You may be wondering what the AP exam schedule is for 2019 and beyond. Unfortunately, we cannot predict the schedule exactly. This is because the AP Calendar tends to change a bit from year to year. Since there are always slight changes, we can’t say for certain what the calendar will look like in future years – even though we can say the changes from year to year tend to be minor.

Here are the schedules from the last three years, with the changes from the previous year bolded.

2017 Schedule

2016 Schedule

 2015 Schedule

Between 2016 and 17, there were some very minor schedule changes. The week 1 Thursday afternoon and week 2 Tuesday morning schedules were switched, and European History stayed on Friday afternoon but moved from week 1 to week 2. Those were the only schedule changes!

Between 2015 and 2016, there were a few more changes. The week 1 Tuesday and Thursday schedules were switched (both the morning and afternoon tests).

During week 2, Statistics swapped with Italian and Macroeconomics – so the Wednesday and Thursday week 2 afternoon slots switched.

If you look back five or ten years, the dates change more, and the exams evolve as well. Some tests are added (like the new Physics exams) and some are taken away, like French Literature and Studio Art.

So in short, you can expect the AP test schedule for the next year or two to look pretty similar to the 2018 schedule, but you can’t do any longer-term planning beyond that.

What’s Next?

Learn more about AP tests – how long they are, how many you should take, and which ones are the easiest and hardest.

Also studying for the SAT or ACT? Develop a target SAT score based on your top schools (ACT version here).

Studying for the SAT? Get a complete guide to SAT writing. Taking the ACT? Get a complete guide to ACT Science.