In this blog, we will describe what the APs are, talk about the AP exam fees (fee?) structure, explain how to register for the exam, and mention the dates along with the test centers for the 2025 Advanced Placement exams in India.
What are the Advanced Placement Exams?
The Advanced Placement exams (or AP exams) allow students to earn college credits, in case the score is high enough. Earning credits before even setting foot in a college campus can benefit students in multiple ways. Since students would already have credits in their kitty, they can opt to bypass foundation-level mandatory courses and jump to majors they are interested in. Additionally, having credits can also help lower the college tuition fees and the duration of learning needed to graduate.
In summary, APs not only arm you with college skills, like critical thinking and scholarly writing, but also aid you in standing out in front of colleges.
Let’s list the benefits of taking the APs:
- Earn college credit and placement
- Lower college tuition fee and college duration
- Bypass introductory courses
- Choose a major of your choice
- Develop skills like time management, critical thinking, and scholarly writing
- Stand out to colleges as someone motivated enough to succeed
- Get the flexibility to change majors or pursue a second degree
There are several topics covering a gamut of learning streams. There are 41 courses under the broader classifications of AP Capstone Diploma Project, Arts, English, History and Social Sciences, Math and Computer Science, Sciences, and World Languages and Cultures.
Some recent updates about the Advanced Placement Exams
APs are going digital from May 2025 onwards. In India, standard paper testing for 28 AP exams will be discontinued – these exams would move to the Bluebook digital testing application. Of the 28 digital exams, 16 will be fully digital while 12 will be hybrid digital.
For hybrid digital subjects, students will have to handwrite their free-response answers in the paper exam booklets that are returned for scoring once the exam is over. The AP Exam administration for exams with audio components and exams solely of portfolio assessments will remain unchanged for the May 2025 AP Exams.
For more details on the digital and hybrid digital subjects’ list, visit the below page:
Eligibility to take the Advanced Placement Exams
To take the AP Exam, you must fall into one of the following categories:
Currently enrolled high school students: This includes students in traditional brick-and-mortar schools, as well as those homeschooled, participating in independent study, or attending virtual schools.
Early exam taker: Students who are prepared for college-level work before ninth grade may be eligible.
Recent high school graduate: If you graduated high school recently and need an AP exam for university admission, you can typically register without special permission.
Eligibility for Test Centers in India
In addition to the general eligibility criteria, test centers in India may have specific requirements:
- Required identification: You must bring a valid original passport or Aadhaar card (in the specified letter or PVC format) to the exam.
- Age restrictions: Some test centers may have an age limit of 21.
Advanced Placement Exam Restrictions
Please note the following restrictions on AP exams:
- Exam retakes: You cannot retake an AP exam in the same year.
- Calculus exams: You cannot take both Calculus AB and Calculus BC in the same year, but you can take Precalculus along with one of these calculus exams.
- Physics exams: You can take all four Physics AP exams in a single year.
- AP Computer Science Principles: Enrolment in the corresponding AP course and completion of portfolio work and the end-of-course exam are required.
If you have any questions about your eligibility or the specific requirements of your test center, please contact your test center coordinator.
Requirements for Advanced Placement Exams Registration
Here are 4 important things to keep handy when registering for Advanced Placement exams
- College Board student account (create one if you don’t have one already)
- Six-digit join code from your teacher (for each exam you wish to take)
- Valid payment method (to pay the test center)
- Original and valid Passport or Aadhaar card (for exam day identification)
Advanced Placement Exam Registration Process
Registering for these exams can seem daunting, we will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Steps to Register:
- Sign in to My AP: Head over to myap.collegeboard.org and sign in using your College Board student account credentials.
- Join an Exam: Click the “Join a Course or Exam” button and enter the six-digit join code provided by your teacher for the specific exam you want to register for. There are separate codes for regular testing and late testing.
- Verify Exam Information: Double-check that the exam name, date, and test center location are correct before proceeding.
- Fill Out Registration Information: If this is your first time registering for an AP exam through My AP, you’ll need to provide some basic registration details. Be accurate, as this information will appear on your personalized AP labels used on exam day.
- Complete Online Registration and Pay Test Center: Within 3 business days of completing your online registration, or by March 10, 2024 (whichever comes first), you must pay the test center fees. The link to pay online is available after registration. Make sure to also email your payment details to the test center coordinator so they can link your payment to your online registration.
Read More: AP Exam Preparation: Tips to Score High
2025 Advance Placement Exams India: Dates
Schools will administer the 2025 AP Exam over two weeks in May—May 5–9 and May 12–16. AP coordinators are responsible for informing students of the exam location and time.
Under no circumstances is early testing or testing at times other than those announced by the College Board allowed. If students cannot take the test in the first two weeks of May, there are options for late testing.
| Week 1 | Morning 8 a.m. Local Time | Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time |
| Monday, May 5, 2025 | Biology Latin | European History Microeconomics |
| Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | Chemistry Human Geography | United States Government and Politics |
| Wednesday, May 7, 2025 | English Literature and Composition | Comparative Government and Politics Computer Science A |
| Thursday, May 8, 2025 | African American Studies Statistics | Japanese Language and Culture World History: Modern |
| Friday, May 9, 2025 | Italian Language and Culture United States History | Chinese Language and Culture Macroeconomics |
Art & Design: Students enrolled in AP Art and Design courses have until Friday, May 9, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, to turn in their final three portfolio components for inclusion in the AP Digital Portfolio. | ||
| Week 2 | Morning 8 a.m. Local Time | Afternoon 12 p.m. Local Time |
| Monday, May 12, 2025 | Calculus AB Calculus BC | Music Theory Seminar |
| Tuesday, May 13, 2025 | French Language and Culture Precalculus | Environmental Science Physics 2: Algebra-Based |
| Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | English Language and Composition German Language and Culture | Physics C: Mechanics |
| Thursday, May 15, 2025 | Art History Spanish Language and Culture | Computer Science Principles Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
| Friday, May 16, 2025 | Physics 1: Algebra-Based Spanish Literature and Culture | Psychology |
Understanding Advanced Placement Exam Fees / Advanced Placement Exams Cost
Following are the costs of the AP exam.
| Description | Cost Per Exam $ | Cost Per Exam INR |
| AP exam taken in US, Canada, US territories | $97 | Rs. 7746 |
| AP exam is taken in US, Canada, US territories | $127 | Rs. 10141 |
| AP Research or AP Seminar exam | $145 | Rs. 11579 |
| Late Order Fee | INR 3,195 per exam in addition to the exam fee | AP exam is taken outside US |
| Unused Cancelled Exam Fee | $40 per exam | Rs. 3195 per exam |
Advance Placement Exam Centres in India
Here is a list of Advanced Placement exam centres in India:
| Ahmedabad, Gujrat | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu |
| Amritsar, Punjab | Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
| Bangalore/Bengaluru, Karnataka | Erode, Tamil Nadu |
| Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Chandigarh | Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Korani, Kerala | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Noida, Delhi NCR |
| Mumbai, Maharashtra | Pune, Maharashtra |
| New Delhi | Rajkot, Gujarat |
Can you retake the AP Advanced Placement exam?
Yes, you can retake an AP Exam. AP exams are administered once a year, but you can retake the exam in a subsequent year.
Important to note:
- Both scores will be reported unless you specifically request to withhold or cancel one of the scores.
- If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from taking the exam on your scheduled date, your AP coordinator can advise on potential late testing options.
Common reasons for retaking an AP Exam
Carefully consider your reasons for retaking an exam and weigh the benefits against the time and effort required. Some common reasons over the years include
- Illness or other factors that significantly impacted your performance on the exam day.
- Changes in study materials or resources that could have affected your preparation.
- Newly diagnosed learning disabilities that might have impacted your performance.
- Increased availability of time for exam preparation due to changes in your schedule.
- Overlooking crucial test-taking strategies during the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions for AP Exam Fees
How much do AP exams cost in India?
Here’s a breakdown of the associated fees:
Standard Exam Fee
- Within the US, Canada, and US territories: Approximately ₹7,746
- Outside the US: Approximately ₹10,141
Special Exam Fee
- AP Seminar or AP Research: Approximately ₹11,579
Additional Fees
- Late registration: An additional ₹3,195 per exam is charged if you register after the deadline.
- Exam cancellation: A ₹3,195 fee is imposed for each exam canceled after registration.
Who is eligible for AP exam?
AP exams are primarily designed for high school students, starting from grade 9th.
Can you retake AP exams?
Yes, you can retake AP exams. However, you cannot retake an exam in the same year. You must wait until the following year to retake it. It’s important to note that both scores will be reported unless you request one be withheld.
What is the cost for 1 AP exam fees India?
One AP exam fees is approximately Rs. 10,141 in India.
How many attempts are there for AP?
There’s no limit to the number of times you can take an AP exam. However, you can only take an exam once per year.
What happens if you get a 3 on AP exam?
A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam generally indicates that you have acquired sufficient knowledge of the subject to qualify for college credit. However, the decision to award college credit is ultimately up to the individual college or university.
Can I change my subject after paying AP exam fees in India?
Unfortunately, you cannot change the subject you’ve registered for after paying for the AP exam feed in India.
What is the age limit for AP set?
There’s no specific age limit for taking AP exams. Typically, high school students and, in some cases, students above age 21 take them, but there are exceptions for homeschooled students or early college programs.
What is the passing mark for AP?
There’s no official “passing” score for AP exams. College and universities set their own credit and placement policies based on AP scores.
Generally, scores of 3 or higher are considered qualifying.
Can I take the AP Exam if I haven’t taken an AP course?
While it’s possible to self-study for an AP exam, it is generally recommended that you take the corresponding AP course. The course provides structured learning and preparation for the exam.