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Looking for the 2021 AP exam dates? We have the complete 2021 AP test dates as well as advice for getting through the busy May exam season. Keep reading to stay on top of your 2020-2021 study schedule and to get tips for dealing with the stress of endless AP tests!

AP Test Changes Due to COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, AP tests were held remotely in 2020. As of now, the College Board does not have plans to hold the 2021 AP exams online.

For more information about the COVID-19 impact on 2020 AP exams and up-to-date information about impacts to the 2021 testing schedule, check out our AP COVID-19 FAQ article.

What Is the 2021 AP Schedule?

This year, AP exams will take place from May 3 to May 14. In 2021, the College Board has decided to start each exam based on local time. So regardless of whether you live in New York or San Francisco, your exams will start at either 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, or 2:00 PM!

The only exception to this rule is Alaska, where AP exams start one hour earlier than everywhere else. So the three time blocks for exams are 7:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 1:00 PM local time.

You can see the format of each AP exam by checking out the College Board's AP website and clicking on the specific exam you're interested in. There you'll see the format of the exam, and the types of question you'll be asked.

Week 1 AP Schedule (2021)

If you're taking AP Art and Design courses, May 7 at 8:00 PM EST is the last day for coordinators to submit your digital portfolios or collect your physical projects for portfolio assembly.

Week 2 AP Schedule (2021)

If you're taking AP Seminar or AP Research, you must submit your final projects and have your presentations scored no later than 11:59 PM EST on April 30. If you're an AP Computer Science Principles student, your digital portfolio is due by 11:59 PM EST on April 30 as well.

How to Stay Focused During the AP Exam Period

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

I'm actually pretty familiar with the AP time crunch. In 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. Senior year was more of a marathon: I took four tests, stretching from the first day of testing to the last!

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.

On the other hand, if you have tests on the first Monday, the second Monday, and the last Friday of the exam period, you should plan to do some studying during May for your last two tests. That said, definitely prioritize the test you're taking soonest, and make sure you're prepared for it before May rolls around.

Consult the tables above and figure out what your AP exam schedule looks like for 2021. Next, follow our rules for staying focused and motivated during May.

#1: Don't Cram!

By May, you should have learned all major concepts and taken at least one practice exam for each AP test you're taking. Trying to pull off last-minute studying during the exam period, such as by 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 to ensure 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 toward 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 any 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 the major concepts for your tests well before May!

#3: Timing Is Everything

When doing practice sections in April or May—either multiple choice or free response—be sure to time yourself strictly so you're prepared for actual AP test timing.

Earlier in the year, it's appropriate to take a few untimed multiple choice or free-response sections. But right before your AP tests, you need to make sure that you're prepared for what the actual exam timing will be like. Do this, and it'll 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 confirm that you're getting enough rest. Right before an AP test, getting enough sleep and eating a healthy, balanced breakfast or lunch will do far more to improve your score than will 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, try to actively make time to do something fun or get some exercise in during the AP exam period. Whether that's doing yoga, going for a run, or reading your favorite book, taking time to relax is key, since anxiety can (and will!) negatively affect your performance on test day.

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 test period, but you still want to be sure that your schedule isn't crammed with cramming in case you have to deal with non-AP class assignments, too.

Your high school GPA is very important for college admissions, so don't let AP exams completely distract you from your 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 you're aiming for high scores across the board to make you competitive for top schools, don't lose track of 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 might be wondering what the AP exam schedule is for 2022 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 2021 calendar will look like—even though the changes from year to year are often minor.

Here are the schedules from the last five years, with changes from the previous year highlighted in yellow:

2020 AP Testing Schedule

Week 1 (2020)

Week 2 (2020)

2019 AP Testing Schedule

2018 AP Testing Schedule

There was quite a bit of change in AP test scheduling from 2018 to 2019—nearly half of all the AP exams moved around time- or day-wise (although most of the change happened to tests in the afternoon of week 1).

If you look back five or even 10 years, the dates change more, and the exams evolve as well. Some AP tests have been added over time (such as the new Physics exams), and some have been taken away, such as French Literature and Studio Art.

In short, you can expect the AP test schedule for the next year or two to look somewhat similar to the 2021 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 for students.

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

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