Advanced Placement (AP) exams offer Indian students a significant advantage in studying abroad. These rigorous, college-level exams, developed by the College Board, demonstrate your academic abilities in subjects like Math, Science, and History. AP scores help you earn college credit, skip introductory courses, and dive into advanced topics, saving time and money.
AP scores can help secure your placement in advanced college courses, allowing you to explore complex concepts from the start. The AP syllabus aligns with college-level material, preparing you for university studies abroad. Before you start studying, consider the AP exam fees for effective planning. Prioritize subjects that align with your future goals and maximize your investment. This blog will delve into the details of AP exam fees, guiding you to make wise choices about which exams are worthwhile.
Who conducts the AP Exam in India?
The College Board, a non-profit organization based in the United States, is responsible for conducting AP exams worldwide, including in India.
While the College Board sets the exam standards, administers the exams, and provides scores, it relies on authorized test centers in India to handle the logistics of the exams. These test centers, typically schools or colleges, are responsible for:
- Initialing the AP exam registration
- Providing a secure and supervised environment for the exams.
- Collecting and sending the completed exams to the College Board for scoring.
General AP Exam Fees Structure
| Description | Location | Cost per Exam |
| AP Exam (except AP Research and AP Seminar) | U.S., Canada, DoDEA schools | $99 (INR 8327.75) |
| AP Exam (except AP Research and AP Seminar) | Outside the U.S. | $129 (INR 10851.31) |
| AP Seminar or AP Research Exam taken anywhere | Anywhere | $147 (INR 12365.44) |
| Late order fee
(Exams for full-year or first-semester courses ordered between November 16 and March 14 are eligible. This does not include exams for courses beginning after November 15 or those for transfer students.) |
$40 (INR 3364.75) per exam in addition to the exam fee | |
| Unused/canceled exam fee
(Exams ordered after November 15 are subject to a fee that replaces the full exam fee, even if a fee reduction was previously applied. If you decide not to take an exam, inform your AP coordinator. This does not apply to students transferring schools.) |
$40 (INR 3364.75) per exam |
AP Exam Fees Reduction
| Category | Fee Reduction | Cost per Exam | Deadline |
| Eligible Students with Financial Need | $37 (INR 3112.23) | $53 (INR 4458.05) | April 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET) |
| International Students | $37 (INR 3112.23) | $83 (INR 6981.48) | April 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET) |
| AP Seminar or AP Research Exams | $37 (INR 3112.23) | $101 (INR 8495.53) | April 30, 2025 (11:59 p.m. ET) |
| School Rebate | $9 (INR 757.03) per exam | ||
AP Exam Fees Reduction Eligibility
| Primary Criteria | Other Criteria | |
| For Schools/Districts Not Participating in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) | Students enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) qualify for fee reductions on all AP Exams taken in a year. | · Family income falls within USDA Food and Nutrition Service Income Eligibility Guidelines.
· Households participating in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid (in some states). · Unhoused, migrant, runaway, or in foster care. · Enrolled in a federally funded Head Start Program. |
| For Schools/Districts Participating in CEP | Family income falls within USDA Food and Nutrition Service Income Eligibility Guidelines | · Households participating in SNAP, TANF, FDPIR, or Medicaid (in some states).
· Unhoused, migrant, runaway, or in foster care. · Enrolled in a federally funded Head Start Program. |
| Alternative Criteria for All Schools/Districts | · The student is an orphan or a ward of the state.
· Participation in Government Assistance Programs. Local, state, or federal initiatives for students from low-income households. (e.g., Upward Bound). · The student’s family is receiving public aid. · The student lives in a foster home, federally subsidized housing, or is unhoused. |
Scheduling AP Exams in 2025
Advanced Placement exams are only given in May and you need to sign up ahead of time. Some high schools in India offer AP classes and exams, but only to their own students. Other places, called AP test centers, are open to anyone who is qualified to take the exams.
If your school doesn’t offer the AP exam you want, you can register at any of the authorized AP test centers in India.
How to go on with the AP exam registration?
To take Advanced Placement exams, you must follow these steps:
- Create an account on the College Board website to register for the exam online.
- Pay the AP exam registration fee directly to the test center.
- After your seat is confirmed, you will receive an admission ticket from the test center.
- Once you have completed the online registration, you must pay the test center.
- If you have paid the test center but have not finished the online registration, you will not be able to take the exam.
It’s always recommended to check once with your school or the test center directly for detailed information.
AP Exam Schedule 2025
Regular testing: AP Exams take place in authorized schools and centers over the first two weeks of May (May 5-9 and May 12-16, 2025). Early or unscheduled testing is strictly prohibited.
Late testing: Late testing (May 19-23) is available for students who cannot test during the regular period. Schools and authorized test centers decide which AP Exams they offer. Check each center’s registration page to see available exams.
Exam registration date
Registrations for the May 2025 AP Exams at authorized test centers are below:
| Starting Date | Deadline | |
| Regular Exam | September 16, 2024 | November 15, 2025
11:59 p.m. ET |
| Late Exam | December 15, 2024 | March 14, 2025
11:59 p.m. ET |
Revised AP Exam Mode – 2025 Onwards
Starting May 2025, the AP exam format will shift for 28 exams, moving from traditional paper to a fully digital format administered through the Bluebook™ testing application. This change will apply to both in-school testing and exams taken remotely under specific school-approved conditions. Paper exams for these subjects will no longer be available, and students must complete their tests on compatible digital devices, such as laptops.
