AP exams for 2026 run over two weeks in May: Week 1 (4–8 May) and Week 2 (11–15 May). Each day has morning (8:00 AM) and afternoon (12:00 PM) sessions. AP scores are released in early July 2026. Below is the complete schedule for every AP exam, plus how scores work for university admission.
KEY DATES AT A GLANCE
- Week 1: Monday 4 – Friday 8 May 2026
- Week 2: Monday 11 – Friday 15 May 2026
- Late testing: 18 – 22 May 2026
- Art & Design portfolios due: 8 May 2026
- Scores released: ~July 6–8, 2026
Key Dates & Deadlines
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| AP Seminar/Research/CSP tasks due | 30 April 2026 |
| Week 1 exams | 4 – 8 May 2026 |
| AP Art & Design portfolios due | 8 May 2026 |
| Week 2 exams | 11 – 15 May 2026 |
| Late testing window | 18 – 22 May 2026 |
| Scores released | ~July 6–8, 2026 |
Week 1: Monday 4 – Friday 8 May 2026
| Day | Morning (8:00 AM) | Afternoon (12:00 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 4 May | US Government & Politics | Art History, Physics C: Mechanics |
| Tue 5 May | Human Geography, Macroeconomics | Seminar, Statistics |
| Wed 6 May | English Literature | African American Studies, Comparative Govt, Computer Science A |
| Thu 7 May | Chemistry, Spanish Literature | Physics C: E&M, World History: Modern |
| Fri 8 May | European History, US History | Art & Design (due), CS Principles, Microeconomics |
Most popular UAE subjects in Week 1: Chemistry (Thu AM), English Literature (Wed AM), Statistics (Tue PM), Computer Science A (Wed PM), World History (Thu PM), Microeconomics (Fri PM).
Week 2: Monday 11 – Friday 15 May 2026
| Day | Morning (8:00 AM) | Afternoon (12:00 PM) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 11 May | Calculus AB, Calculus BC | Chinese Language, Environmental Science |
| Tue 12 May | English Language | Physics 1, Physics 2 |
| Wed 13 May | Italian Language, Spanish Language | Biology, Japanese Language |
| Thu 14 May | French Language, Precalculus | German Language, Music Theory, Psychology |
| Fri 15 May | Latin | Research |
Most popular UAE subjects in Week 2: Calculus AB/BC (Mon AM), English Language (Tue AM), Physics 1 (Tue PM), Biology (Wed PM), Psychology (Thu PM).
Students taking both AP Calculus and AP Physics will sit exams on consecutive days (Monday and Tuesday) — plan revision to cover both subjects in the week before.
Late Testing Window: 18–22 May 2026
The late testing window is available for students who:
- Have two AP exams scheduled at the same time
- Experience illness or emergency during regular testing
- Have a school-approved conflict
Schools must order late-testing materials in advance. The late testing schedule is set by the College Board and assigns specific exams to specific days within the May 18-22 window. Contact your AP coordinator for the exact late-testing timetable.
How AP Scores Work
AP exams are scored on a 1–5 scale. Each exam combines multiple-choice and free-response sections, and the raw scores are curved annually.
| Score | Qualification | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Extremely Well Qualified | Top tier — most universities grant credit |
| 4 | Well Qualified | Strong — most universities grant credit |
| 3 | Qualified | Adequate — many universities grant credit |
| 2 | Possibly Qualified | Below target — rarely receives credit |
| 1 | No Recommendation | Does not demonstrate understanding |
AP Scores & University Credit
How AP scores are used depends on where your child plans to attend university:
- US universities: Most grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 4-5. Selective universities (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT) may only accept 5s or may not grant credit at all but use AP performance as an admissions factor.
- UK universities: Russell Group universities typically require a score of 5 for credit consideration. AP scores can substitute for A-Level grades in applications — check each university's entry requirements.
- UAE universities: Most UAE universities accept AP scores of 4-5 for credit. Check directly with the admissions office of your target university.
- Score choice: Students can choose which scores to send to universities. You can withhold or cancel individual exam scores before they are reported.
What Should Parents and Students Do Now?
- Create a subject-by-subject revision plan. Work backwards from each exam date. If your child takes Calculus (May 11) and Physics (May 12), they need to study both subjects in parallel during the final weeks.
- Practice with official past papers. The College Board releases free practice exams for every AP subject. Timed practice under exam conditions is the most effective preparation strategy.
- Focus on free-response sections. Multiple choice can be practised through drills, but the free-response section is where most students lose marks. Learn the scoring rubrics — they show exactly what examiners are looking for.
- Consider targeted tutoring. For subjects like AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry, a tutor who knows the AP exam format can focus on exam technique and common pitfalls rather than re-teaching content.
- Plan for back-to-back exams. Check if your child has exams on consecutive days. If so, revision for the second exam needs to happen before exam week — you can't cram the night between two exams.
GetYourTutors provides specialist AP tutors in Dubai who understand the College Board exam format and scoring rubrics. Whether your child needs help with AP Calculus, AP Sciences, or AP English, our full-time professional tutors can help maximise their scores.
SOURCES
- College Board — 2026 AP Exam Dates (apcentral.collegeboard.org)
- College Board — AP Score Scale and Reporting
Last verified: March 2026. Exam dates may be subject to change — verify with your school's AP coordinator or the College Board directly.