Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here for important SDUHSD AP Exam updates (2-26-21)
Exam Format and Format Change Information (CLICK HERE): Requests must be submitted by March 7, 2021
Where do I find information to prepare for exam day?
What if I can't log into my College Board account?
Don't create a second account! Each student should have only ONE College Board account during their high school careers which houses AP®, PSAT® and SAT® scores and information. For log in help visit: https://pages.collegeboard.org/account-help or https://myap.collegeboard.org Students may also call College Board AP® Services for Students: 888-225-5427
Don't create a second account! Each student should have only ONE College Board account during their high school careers which houses AP®, PSAT® and SAT® scores and information. For log in help visit: https://pages.collegeboard.org/account-help or https://myap.collegeboard.org Students may also call College Board AP® Services for Students: 888-225-5427
I don't have the Join Code to activate my exam on MyAP? What do I do?
Students who attend LCC and CCA will receive their exam Join Codes directly from their AP® Course teachers.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive their Off Campus Exam Only Join Codes via email from APTS when the exam payment has processed successfully. Join Codes are emailed to the student email address provided on the exam payment form. If you have not received it, double check your parent's email inbox as well as your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate the email, please email ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance. Join Codes cannot be issued by phone, please send an email.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will ALSO receive Join Codes from their teachers - those Join Codes are to access course resources such as tutorials and practice questions. Since SDA and TPHS do not directly order exams from College Board (see below), the teacher specific Join Codes are not able to activate the exam order.
Students who attend LCC and CCA will receive their exam Join Codes directly from their AP® Course teachers.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive their Off Campus Exam Only Join Codes via email from APTS when the exam payment has processed successfully. Join Codes are emailed to the student email address provided on the exam payment form. If you have not received it, double check your parent's email inbox as well as your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate the email, please email ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance. Join Codes cannot be issued by phone, please send an email.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will ALSO receive Join Codes from their teachers - those Join Codes are to access course resources such as tutorials and practice questions. Since SDA and TPHS do not directly order exams from College Board (see below), the teacher specific Join Codes are not able to activate the exam order.
Why do TP and SDA students need to activate the exams through an "Off Campus Exam Only" section through CCA?
Per College Board exam security regulations, physical exam materials cannot be combined for an administration in one location if they had been ordered by the school AP Coordinator in separate orders. In SDUHSD, we bring students from CCA, SDA and TP together at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for exams, therefore ONE single order needs to be placed by the SDUHSD AP Coordinator. In the MyAP system, this means (for now!) that a student attending SDA or TP will need to follow the instructions in the Exam Only Join Codes email that they will receive AFTER payment has processed for their exam.
Per College Board exam security regulations, physical exam materials cannot be combined for an administration in one location if they had been ordered by the school AP Coordinator in separate orders. In SDUHSD, we bring students from CCA, SDA and TP together at the Del Mar Fairgrounds for exams, therefore ONE single order needs to be placed by the SDUHSD AP Coordinator. In the MyAP system, this means (for now!) that a student attending SDA or TP will need to follow the instructions in the Exam Only Join Codes email that they will receive AFTER payment has processed for their exam.
I received a Join Code from my teacher AND one via email. Which do I use to activate my exam?
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive Join Codes from their teachers - those Join Codes are to access course resources such as tutorials and practice questions. Since SDA and TPHS do not directly order exams from College Board (see below), the teacher specific Join Codes are not able to activate the exam order.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive their Off Campus Exam Only Join Codes via email from APTS when the exam payment has processed successfully. The Join Codes are emailed to the student email address provided on the exam payment form. If you have not received it, double check your parent's email inbox as well as your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate the email, please email ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance. Join Codes cannot be issued by phone, please send an email.
When you apply the Join Code and it activates the exam, your MyAP profile will display that information including the exam date.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive Join Codes from their teachers - those Join Codes are to access course resources such as tutorials and practice questions. Since SDA and TPHS do not directly order exams from College Board (see below), the teacher specific Join Codes are not able to activate the exam order.
Students who attend SDA and TPHS will receive their Off Campus Exam Only Join Codes via email from APTS when the exam payment has processed successfully. The Join Codes are emailed to the student email address provided on the exam payment form. If you have not received it, double check your parent's email inbox as well as your spam folder. If you are still unable to locate the email, please email ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance. Join Codes cannot be issued by phone, please send an email.
When you apply the Join Code and it activates the exam, your MyAP profile will display that information including the exam date.
What information should I enter into my College Board MyAP Profile?
Please enter your FULL legal name (to correspond to school records and your school ID for check in on exam day), as well as an email address that you check regularly. (You will receive alerts from College Board as well as SDUHDS AP Office via that email so it's important that an email address is used that is checked.) Please enter your SDUHSD Student ID to enable accurate exam attendance reporting to your SDUHSD school attendance office.
Please enter your FULL legal name (to correspond to school records and your school ID for check in on exam day), as well as an email address that you check regularly. (You will receive alerts from College Board as well as SDUHDS AP Office via that email so it's important that an email address is used that is checked.) Please enter your SDUHSD Student ID to enable accurate exam attendance reporting to your SDUHSD school attendance office.
What if I want to use MyAP to access items my teacher assigns as well as other resources to enable success in the school class, but I don't want to take the actual AP® Exam in May?
Exams are an optional component of the AP® classes in SDUSHD. To have the AP® Exam materials actually ordered for you, you have to activate the exam by completing the Join Step at myap.collegeboard.org AND submit payment here on this site. So if you do NOT want to take the AP® Exam, simply do not complete step 2 (submitting payment) for the exam. If no payment is submitted by the deadline, no exam will be ordered for you even if you HAVE joined the online exam group.
Exams are an optional component of the AP® classes in SDUSHD. To have the AP® Exam materials actually ordered for you, you have to activate the exam by completing the Join Step at myap.collegeboard.org AND submit payment here on this site. So if you do NOT want to take the AP® Exam, simply do not complete step 2 (submitting payment) for the exam. If no payment is submitted by the deadline, no exam will be ordered for you even if you HAVE joined the online exam group.
What if I change teachers at school? Do I need to update my account on myap.collegeboard.org?
Yes - it's important to be in the right MyAP AP® group so you can access assignments, homework or quizzes. It's also important for the teachers at the end of the year since they will receive data and feedback only applicable to their own students.
To change your exam group and JOIN a new MyAP AP® group, you can:
Yes - it's important to be in the right MyAP AP® group so you can access assignments, homework or quizzes. It's also important for the teachers at the end of the year since they will receive data and feedback only applicable to their own students.
To change your exam group and JOIN a new MyAP AP® group, you can:
- ask your teacher to change your class period by having them log into myap.collegeboard.org (IF you have stayed with the same teacher)
- ask your previous teacher to remove you from the online version of the class by logging into myap.collegeboard.org and then obtain a new Join Code from your new teacher to complete the process
- email ap.test@sduhsd.net to have your account updated on myap.collegeboard.org (include your name, name of your school, the title of the course, and the name and period of your NEW section.)
What if I changed my class period for my AP® Class at school but stayed with the same teacher? Do I need to update my account on myap.collegeboard.org?
Yes - because as you know, sometimes there's variances in the work or questions teachers assign their different class periods. You want to be in the correct one!
To change your class and JOIN a new online AP® class, you can:
Yes - because as you know, sometimes there's variances in the work or questions teachers assign their different class periods. You want to be in the correct one!
To change your class and JOIN a new online AP® class, you can:
- ask your teacher to change your class period by having them log into myap.collegeboard.org (IF you have stayed with the same teacher)
- email ap.test@sduhsd.net to have your account updated on myap.collegeboard.org (include your name, name of your school, the title of the course, and the name and period of your NEW section.)
I have been self-studying to take an exam and am not enrolled in the AP® Class at school. How do I register for the exam?
If you are enrolled in a SDUHSD school and want to register for an exam for which you have been preparing independently, you will need to email ap.test@sduhsd.net to request the exam as an Independent Student. Exam requests for students not enrolled in the AP® course in SDUSHD schools, will be reviewed and approved based on space availability, student grade level, and timeliness of the request. Due to COVID-19 regulations and space concerns, registration will not be open to Independent Students until students enrolled in the SPRING SDUHSD AP® courses are confirmed and completed exam registration.. Please email us for more information and to request approval.
If approved, a student will receive a JOIN CODE as an Independent Student to be applied on myap.collegeboard.org as well as payment instructions.
If you are NOT enrolled in a SDUHSD school and want to register for an exam to be hosted by SDUHSD, you will need to email ap.test@sduhsd.net to request the exam as an Independent Student. Exam requests for students not enrolled in SDUSHD schools, will be reviewed and approved based on space availability, student grade level, and timeliness of the request. Due to COVID-19 regulations and space concerns, registration may not be open to Non-SDUSHD Students until students enrolled in the SPRING SDUHSD AP® courses are confirmed and completed exam registration. Please email us for more information and to request approval.
If approved, a student will receive a JOIN CODE as an Independent Student to be applied on myap.collegeboard.org as well as payment instructions.
If you are enrolled in a SDUHSD school and want to register for an exam for which you have been preparing independently, you will need to email ap.test@sduhsd.net to request the exam as an Independent Student. Exam requests for students not enrolled in the AP® course in SDUSHD schools, will be reviewed and approved based on space availability, student grade level, and timeliness of the request. Due to COVID-19 regulations and space concerns, registration will not be open to Independent Students until students enrolled in the SPRING SDUHSD AP® courses are confirmed and completed exam registration.. Please email us for more information and to request approval.
If approved, a student will receive a JOIN CODE as an Independent Student to be applied on myap.collegeboard.org as well as payment instructions.
If you are NOT enrolled in a SDUHSD school and want to register for an exam to be hosted by SDUHSD, you will need to email ap.test@sduhsd.net to request the exam as an Independent Student. Exam requests for students not enrolled in SDUSHD schools, will be reviewed and approved based on space availability, student grade level, and timeliness of the request. Due to COVID-19 regulations and space concerns, registration may not be open to Non-SDUSHD Students until students enrolled in the SPRING SDUHSD AP® courses are confirmed and completed exam registration. Please email us for more information and to request approval.
If approved, a student will receive a JOIN CODE as an Independent Student to be applied on myap.collegeboard.org as well as payment instructions.
Why is there a Fall and a Spring Deadline?
Educational research shows huge benefits to students if they make a strong commitment at the start of the course. College Board sets the deadlines so that a) you have enough time to meet your new teachers for the applicable classes (you wouldn't want to pay for an exam for an AP® Class if you haven't at least seen the syllabus after all!) and b) so that there is enough time to prepare the personalized exam materials for shipment for the May exams.
Educational research shows huge benefits to students if they make a strong commitment at the start of the course. College Board sets the deadlines so that a) you have enough time to meet your new teachers for the applicable classes (you wouldn't want to pay for an exam for an AP® Class if you haven't at least seen the syllabus after all!) and b) so that there is enough time to prepare the personalized exam materials for shipment for the May exams.
I took AP® Calculus AB in the Fall at SDA or CCA. I am now enrolled in AP® Calculus BC at SDA or CCA. Which exam should I take? Can I take both?
AP® Calculus is the only exam for which College Board does not allow concurrent administration in one calendar year (i.e. you can't take both AP® Calc AB and BC exams in one year.) So, if you choose to take the AP® Calculus exam, it's important to speak with your teachers regarding which exam is the best fit for you. Most students who take BOTH the AP® Calculus AB and BC courses in one school year, end up taking the AP® Calculus BC exam.
We recommend that you submit payment in the Fall for the exam you INTEND to take in May. You should JOIN both the MyAP AP Calculus AB in the Fall and BC in the Spring using your teacher code to access the instructional materials.*
* CCA and SDA students will not be able to able to activate the BC exam until the Spring when the course commences.
At the conclusion of registration, an email will be sent to all Calculus registrants to confirm their exam subject level and request a change if necessary.
AP® Calculus is the only exam for which College Board does not allow concurrent administration in one calendar year (i.e. you can't take both AP® Calc AB and BC exams in one year.) So, if you choose to take the AP® Calculus exam, it's important to speak with your teachers regarding which exam is the best fit for you. Most students who take BOTH the AP® Calculus AB and BC courses in one school year, end up taking the AP® Calculus BC exam.
We recommend that you submit payment in the Fall for the exam you INTEND to take in May. You should JOIN both the MyAP AP Calculus AB in the Fall and BC in the Spring using your teacher code to access the instructional materials.*
* CCA and SDA students will not be able to able to activate the BC exam until the Spring when the course commences.
At the conclusion of registration, an email will be sent to all Calculus registrants to confirm their exam subject level and request a change if necessary.
I just moved to the district and am now enrolled in an SDUHSD school. But I missed the deadlines. What do I do?
Please contact us IMMEDIATELY at ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance and support. You will be provided a special TRANSFER JOIN code to be able to join the MyAP Group, and if you would like to take the exam also, you will be provided with payment instructions. (Deadlines DO apply.)
Please contact us IMMEDIATELY at ap.test@sduhsd.net for assistance and support. You will be provided a special TRANSFER JOIN code to be able to join the MyAP Group, and if you would like to take the exam also, you will be provided with payment instructions. (Deadlines DO apply.)
My teacher isn't using the myap.collegeboard.org site for assignments or tests- will that be a problem if I am planning on taking the AP® Exam?
No, the resources that College Board has created on that site are optional for teachers to use.
To ensure your exam order is complete, make sure you have completed BOTH steps under Exam Registration
No, the resources that College Board has created on that site are optional for teachers to use.
To ensure your exam order is complete, make sure you have completed BOTH steps under Exam Registration
I've missed the deadline to submit payment for my AP® Exam. Can I go on a waiting list?
No. Because all exam answer sheet labels will be personalized, there will be no possibility of waiting lists or standby since no blank materials will be available. It's therefore very important to meet the applicable deadlines for the exam you wish to take. The LAST day that the SDUHSD AP® Coordinator can originate a new order for May 2021 exam administration is February 28, 2021.
No. Because all exam answer sheet labels will be personalized, there will be no possibility of waiting lists or standby since no blank materials will be available. It's therefore very important to meet the applicable deadlines for the exam you wish to take. The LAST day that the SDUHSD AP® Coordinator can originate a new order for May 2021 exam administration is February 28, 2021.
I can't afford AP® Exams but would really love a chance to take them. What are my options to pursue a reduction?
Check out the page titled Fee Reductions - there is an application process and deadlines that apply. But if you are found eligible, it does reduce the cost of the exams for you significantly. A complete application will include supporting documentation. If approved, you will receive a Fee Reduction Code to apply to the payment page on this site. If you submitted the application for Fall AP® Exam payment, you will automatically remain approved for Spring AP® Exam payment. You will receive a Spring Fee Reduction code via email.
Check out the page titled Fee Reductions - there is an application process and deadlines that apply. But if you are found eligible, it does reduce the cost of the exams for you significantly. A complete application will include supporting documentation. If approved, you will receive a Fee Reduction Code to apply to the payment page on this site. If you submitted the application for Fall AP® Exam payment, you will automatically remain approved for Spring AP® Exam payment. You will receive a Spring Fee Reduction code via email.
On http://myap.collegeboard.org site it shows that under Exam Decision that I am "registered" for the exam, but I have not submitted payment and I do not want to take the test? What do I do?
Depending on how your school's ordering set up is activated in MyAP, you may see the message 'Registered for Exam' when you join your AP® class on MyAP since that is the MyAP system default. Only exams that have a corresponding fee submitted will be order. The exam status will automatically be changed to 'NO, Not Testing' if no payment is submitted by the payment deadline.
BOTH exam activation AND payment are needed to complete an active order.
Depending on how your school's ordering set up is activated in MyAP, you may see the message 'Registered for Exam' when you join your AP® class on MyAP since that is the MyAP system default. Only exams that have a corresponding fee submitted will be order. The exam status will automatically be changed to 'NO, Not Testing' if no payment is submitted by the payment deadline.
BOTH exam activation AND payment are needed to complete an active order.
Where do I get an admission ticket?
Students do not need admission tickets to enter the in-person AP Exam testing facilities. However, each student does need a CURRENT picture ID, such as a school ID or a driver's license. Without picture ID students will not be allowed to enter the room.
What may I bring with me to the exam room for in person testing?
Students may not bring into the exam room any type of backpack or bag, including purses. No cell phones or electronic communication devices are allowed. No smartwatches are allowed. No highlighters are allowed. Students may bring bottled water in CLEAR plastic containers (no labels) and snacks for break or between exams in clear plastic bags. (See Test Site Regulations for more information.)
Students MUST bring a current picture ID, pencils, pens in blue or black ink, and a calculator if applicable.
Students may use a stopwatch but it may not have an alarm (even if on a watch) that sounds, and it may not be on a cell phone or Smartwatch.
Students MAY bring water and snacks in clear containers (transparent with no labels), and carried in plastic bags. These items may be left in designated areas outside the testing area (or inside the larger facilities at a storage space.) These items may not be accessed during testing, but can be accessed at the break between exams. Water bottles (clear with no labels), may be under your chair during testing. Cell phones, electronic devices or study materials in these bags will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
Students MUST bring a current picture ID, pencils, pens in blue or black ink, and a calculator if applicable.
Students may use a stopwatch but it may not have an alarm (even if on a watch) that sounds, and it may not be on a cell phone or Smartwatch.
Students MAY bring water and snacks in clear containers (transparent with no labels), and carried in plastic bags. These items may be left in designated areas outside the testing area (or inside the larger facilities at a storage space.) These items may not be accessed during testing, but can be accessed at the break between exams. Water bottles (clear with no labels), may be under your chair during testing. Cell phones, electronic devices or study materials in these bags will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action.
How do I figure out where my exam will be administered?
Information on testing locations, formats and dates are posted under "Exam Day Info" on this site and open the file posted there. Location information is listed based on the alphabetical order of the exams.
When do I need to report to the testing room for in person exams?
For morning exams, students need to report to the testing room at 7:30am. For afternoon exams students need to report to the testing room at 12:01pm. We encourage students to be on time for check in since the large groups can mean a delayed check in. Morning exams will begin at 8:00am and afternoon exams will begin at 12:20pm. Per College Board regulations, students will not be admitted to the room once the exams have begun. No exceptions. Late arrivals are considered 'no shows' and are not eligible for any refund and are not eligible for rescheduling the exam.
How do I know when the exam is? How do I know how long the exam is?
Exam calendar is posted on the Calendar on this website. Exams are either Morning (AM) exams or Afternoon (PM) exams. On average, exams last 4 hours (this includes approximately 15 minutes of time spent on completing identifying information, etc.) This is calculated from the start of check in. Students should notify coaches, parents, etc. accordingly since no early dismissal is possible from the exam.
Exams do vary in timing based on their structure - make sure you are familiar with your exam structure before exam day (and add to the exam administration time approximately 45 minutes for instructions, breaks, and parking lot exit.
This same policy applies to students testing with extended time. Students with extended time do not have to use all the extended time provided to them, but they must use the regular allotted exam time and cannot leave before the standard time has passed.
Exams do vary in timing based on their structure - make sure you are familiar with your exam structure before exam day (and add to the exam administration time approximately 45 minutes for instructions, breaks, and parking lot exit.
This same policy applies to students testing with extended time. Students with extended time do not have to use all the extended time provided to them, but they must use the regular allotted exam time and cannot leave before the standard time has passed.
I have a disability and need to receive accommodations on my AP® Exam. What do I need to do?
Students who need to receive accommodations on their AP® Exams must request approval from College Board through a one-time request process. The deadline to ensure review of your application by College Board before AP® exams is January 10, 2021. Submit your application to your school's SSD Coordinator, or your case manager. For more information on testing locations, support, the College Board application, and more, click on Testing with Disabilities.
Students who need to receive accommodations on their AP® Exams must request approval from College Board through a one-time request process. The deadline to ensure review of your application by College Board before AP® exams is January 10, 2021. Submit your application to your school's SSD Coordinator, or your case manager. For more information on testing locations, support, the College Board application, and more, click on Testing with Disabilities.
Do I need to excuse my absence from school during the exam?
Your school will receive a copy of an attendance roster from the exam so you will automatically be excused for the class periods that are affected by the testing. You are not excused for the entire day. You must follow your school site's protocol for checking back in when returning to campus (i.e. checking in with Attendance to get a pass. You are responsible for all school work missed during your absence for AP® Exams.
What if you are ill on exam day and cannot attend the exam?
What if you are ill on exam day and cannot attend the exam?
- Email ap.test@sduhsd.net IMMEDIATELY. There is a 24-hr window to request a make up exam.
- Include in the email your name, name of the exam, and your campus of attendance
- Note that the make up exam will be offered ONLY in the digital, at-home format
What if I have more than one exam scheduled for the same day and same time? What if I have two exams scheduled on the same day?
College Board makes provisions for students who would like to register to take two exams that are scheduled at the EXACT same time and date. Your school district will review the number of students per exam in the conflicting situation and assign you to a late test for one of the exams based on space and demand. College Board determines the late test dates. Unfortunately, you would not be eligible for late testing if you are taking two exams back to back (i.e. one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
What if I decide to not take an exam? Can I get a refund?
Students who order and pay for an exam but decide to cancel before the applicable payment deadline for their school and specific course will receive a full refund. (Credit card fees are non-refundable). Students who order and pay for an exam but decide to cancel between the close of their applicable payment period and April 30, 2021 will receive a partial refund. A non-refundable deposit of $20 will be retained for cancellation requests submitted between the close of the payment period and April 30, 2021. No exchange or re-selling of tests. To cancel your exam, send an email to cancel@aptsusa.com and include your name, student ID number, school you attend, and name of the exam you want to cancel. Exams cancelled from April 30 onwards as well as no shows on exam day, are not eligible for any refund. NOTE: Students choosing to cancel before April 30 due to safety concerns an AP World Language exam (since these exams will be offered only in-person), will receive back a refund of the exam fees minus a $5 administrative processing fee.
What if I finish the exam early? Can I leave early?
Per College Board's security regulations for exams, students may not leave the test until time is called and all examinees are excused together. If a student leaves without permission, their exam will be collected and submitted separately to Colleg Board. Their score will be cancelled and no refund will be possible. Exams are approximately 4 hours. Please be prepared for the duration of the exam.
This same policy applies to students testing with extended time. Students with extended time do not have to use all the extended time provided to them, but they must use the regular allotted exam time and cannot leave before the standard time has passed.
This same policy applies to students testing with extended time. Students with extended time do not have to use all the extended time provided to them, but they must use the regular allotted exam time and cannot leave before the standard time has passed.
Additional Questions? Please feel free to email ap.test@sduhsd.net or call 1-855-663-8348.
