You've probably heard the rumors. Every year, the collective anxiety of high schoolers hits a fever pitch around May. For 2026, the stakes aren't changing, but the calendar definitely is. If you're planning your spring break or just trying to figure out when your social life officially ends, you need the actual AP exam dates 2026.
The College Board doesn't move these dates for a light rain or a local sports game. They are set in stone.
Honestly, the biggest mistake students make is assuming they have "plenty of time" because May feels far away. It isn't. The 2026 testing window runs from May 4th through May 15th. That's two weeks of high-intensity testing that can determine whether you walk into college with a semester’s worth of credits already in your pocket.
The Week One Breakdown (May 4–8)
The first week is always a heavy hitter. It starts on Monday, May 4, with Biology and Latin in the morning. If you’re a science nerd, you’re hitting the ground running. By the afternoon, the historians and economists take over with European History and Microeconomics.
Tuesday, May 5, is arguably one of the "worst" days for some. Why? Because you’ve got Chemistry and Human Geography in the morning, followed by U.S. Government and Politics in the afternoon. That’s a lot of brainpower for one Tuesday.
Wednesday keeps the momentum going. English Literature and Composition is the morning star on May 6. If you're taking Physics 1, you're looking at a 12 p.m. start time.
Then comes Thursday, May 7. This is the day for World History: Modern and Physics 2 in the morning session. The afternoon shifts to Statistics and the relatively new—but increasingly popular—AP African American Studies.
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Friday, May 8, wraps up the first week with U.S. History and Italian Language in the morning. If you’re a Macroeconomics student, you’ll be finishing your week in the 12 p.m. slot.
Important Portfolio Note: Friday, May 8, 2026, isn't just a test day. It is the hard deadline for AP Art and Design students. You must have those three portfolio components submitted by 8 p.m. ET. No excuses.
Managing the Week Two Chaos (May 11–15)
If you survived week one, week two is waiting to greet you with Calculus.
Monday, May 11, is "Math Day." Both Calculus AB and Calculus BC happen in the morning. If you're in the AP Capstone program, the Seminar end-of-course exam happens that afternoon, alongside Music Theory.
Tuesday, May 12, focuses on French Language and Precalculus in the morning. Psychology—always one of the most-taken exams—happens that afternoon.
Wednesday, May 13, belongs to English Language and Composition (the "Lang" exam). In the afternoon, the Physics C: Mechanics crowd and the Spanish Literature students take the stage.
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Thursday, May 14, features Spanish Language and Culture in the morning. The afternoon is a split between Computer Science Principles and the more technical Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.
Finally, Friday, May 15, marks the end of the road. Environmental Science in the morning, followed by Computer Science A in the afternoon. By 4 p.m. local time on that Friday, most of the country is breathing a massive sigh of relief.
Digital Deadlines You Can't Miss
Don't let the AP exam dates 2026 distract you from the digital portfolio deadlines. These hit before the paper tests even start.
April 30, 2026, is the big one. By 11:59 p.m. ET, students in AP Seminar, AP Research, and AP Computer Science Principles must have their performance tasks submitted. If you miss this, you’re basically throwing away a massive chunk of your score before you even sit down for the exam.
Late Testing: The "What If" Scenario
Life happens. Maybe you get the flu. Maybe your school has a scheduled conflict. The College Board offers late testing from May 18 to May 22, 2026.
But here’s the thing: you can’t just decide to take the late version because you didn't study. You need a valid reason, and often, your school coordinator has to approve it. These versions of the exams are different—usually not harder, but definitely different—to keep the integrity of the test intact.
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Why These Dates Matter Now
You might be thinking, "It’s only January, why do I care about May?"
Because of the "AP Wall." Most students hit a wall in mid-April. If you know exactly when your tests are, you can work backward.
- 12 Weeks Out: Finish learning the content.
- 8 Weeks Out: Start the first practice exam.
- 4 Weeks Out: Focus on the Free Response Questions (FRQs).
The 2026 schedule doesn't leave much room for error. If you have "back-to-back" days, like US History on Friday and Calculus on Monday, you need to know that now. You can't study for Calc over that weekend and expect to pass. You have to be "Calc-ready" before the US History exam even starts.
Strategy for the Double-Exam Day
Look, taking two exams in one day is brutal. If you’re taking Chemistry and US Gov on May 5, you’re looking at about 7 to 8 hours of intense testing.
Pack a real lunch. Not just a bag of chips. You need actual fuel. Also, check your start times. While the College Board says 8 a.m. and 12 p.m., most schools want you there by 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to get the paperwork done. If you're late, they will literally lock the door.
Actionable Next Steps
- Print the schedule. Put it on your fridge. Seriously.
- Verify with your coordinator. Some schools have specific rooms or off-site locations.
- Check your digital portfolio. If you’re in an arts or research class, log in to the AP Digital Portfolio today to make sure your account actually works.
- Mark the April 30 deadline. It's the "soft" end of the AP season for many, and missing it is the easiest way to fail.
Knowing the AP exam dates 2026 is the first step in not losing your mind this spring. Get your calendar out, highlight your days, and start the countdown.