The 2027 AP Exams bring important changes, including a new exam schedule, more fully digital exams, new AP courses, and updated submission deadlines. This guide covers the key changes and offers practical preparation strategies and a suggested study timeline to help students prepare effectively and avoid last-minute stress.
Here is what students and parents should know about the 2027 AP examination season.
1. AP Exam Schedule 2027
The 2027 AP Exams will be administered in schools over two weeks:
- Week 1: Monday, May 3 – Friday, May 7, 2027
- Week 2: Monday, May 10 – Friday, May 14, 2027
For most schools in the lower 48 United States, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., AP Exams will continue to begin at 8 a.m. local time for Session 1 and 12 p.m. local time for Session 2.
However, beginning in 2027, the College Board is changing AP Exam start times in some locations to reduce the risk of secure exam content being disclosed across time zones. Students should therefore rely on their AP coordinator for their exact reporting time rather than assuming that every location follows the standard 8 a.m./12 p.m. schedule.
2027 AP Exam Schedule – Week 1
Date | Session 1 AP Exams | Session 2 AP Exams |
Monday, May 3 | Human Geography Physics C: Mechanics | Biology Italian Language and Culture |
Tuesday, May 4 | Business with Personal Finance United States Government and Politics | European History Microeconomics |
Wednesday, May 5 | Cybersecurity English Literature and Composition | Physics 1: Algebra-Based Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
Thursday, May 6 | French Language and Culture Physics 2: Algebra-Based World History: Modern | African American Studies Chemistry |
Friday, May 7 | German Language and Culture United States History | Macroeconomics Networking (2026-27 pilot schools only) |
2027 AP Exam Schedule – Week 2
Date | Session 1 AP Exams | Session 2 AP Exams |
Monday, May 10 | Calculus AB Calculus BC | Music Theory Seminar |
Tuesday, May 11 | Japanese Language and Culture Precalculus | Statistics |
Wednesday, May 12 | English Language and Composition | Art History Computer Science A |
Thursday, May 13 | Spanish Language and Culture | Chinese Language and Culture Environmental Science |
Friday, May 14 | Comparative Government and Politics Computer Science Principles Spanish Literature and Culture | Latin Psychology |
Students should review their school’s exact exam schedule carefully, particularly if they are taking multiple AP courses. If two exams are scheduled for the same time, students may be eligible to use late testing through their school’s AP coordinator.
AP Test Preparation with AP Exam Readers
2. Important AP Digital Portfolio Deadlines
Not every AP assessment is completed entirely on exam day. Several AP courses require students to submit projects, portfolios, or other performance tasks through the AP Digital Portfolio.
For 2027, students should pay particular attention to these deadlines:
April 30, 2027 – 11:59 p.m. ET
Students in the following courses must submit their required work by this deadline:
- AP Computer Science Principles: Create performance task components
- AP Seminar: Performance tasks
- AP Research: Performance tasks
- AP World Languages and Cultures: Personalized Project Reference (PPR)
May 7, 2027 – 11:59 p.m. ET
- AP Art and Design: Three portfolio components submitted as final
The important takeaway for students is that AP preparation does not end with studying for the written exam. For AP Seminar, AP Research, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Art and Design, and the revised AP World Languages and Cultures courses, students need to manage long-term assignments alongside their regular coursework.
3. More AP Exams Are Becoming Fully Digital
One of the biggest changes for the 2027 AP Exam season is the continued shift toward digital testing through Bluebook. Several exams will move to a fully digital format, meaning students will complete both multiple-choice and free-response sections on a computer.
AP Statistics
Starting in May 2027, the AP Statistics Exam will become fully digital. The revised exam will include:
- 42 multiple-choice questions, up from 40, with four answer choices instead of five
- Four free-response questions, down from six, with each question worth more points
- Access to an approved handheld graphing calculator and the built-in Desmos calculator in Bluebook
AP World Languages and Cultures
The six AP World Languages and Cultures exams (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish) will also become fully digital in 2027. Students will complete their exam responses in Bluebook, including recorded speaking responses, and will need a wired headset with a microphone.
AP Spanish Literature and Culture
AP Spanish Literature and Culture will also transition to a fully digital exam in 2027, including digital responses and audio components.
4. Two New AP Courses Arrive in 2027
The 2026–27 school year will also introduce two new AP Career Kickstart courses with corresponding AP Exams:
- AP Business with Personal Finance: combines foundational business concepts with personal finance. Topics include entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, accounting, management, strategy, saving, borrowing, budgeting, and investing.
- AP Cybersecurity: introduces students to foundational cybersecurity concepts, including risk management, threats, defense strategies, and security practices involving networks, devices, and applications.
AP Networking will also launch in fall 2027, but the 2027 AP Exam schedule includes Networking only for 2026–27 pilot schools.
5. How Should Students Prepare for the 2027 AP Exams?
change how they study, but they should make sure their preparation matches the exam they will actually take.
Step 1: Understand Your Exam Format
Start by understanding your exam format, including the exam date, question types, digital or paper format, project requirements, and any important deadlines. This is particularly important for students taking AP Statistics, AP World Languages and Cultures, AP Spanish Literature, or the revised AP History exams.
Students taking these exams should become comfortable with digital testing well before May. In particular, they should:
- Practice using Bluebook and official digital practice materials
- Complete timed digital questions and free responses
- Familiarize themselves with available calculators and other digital tools
- Check their school’s technology and headset requirements in advance.
Step 2: Start With a Diagnostic Practice Test
Next, take a practice test to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Rather than focusing only on your score, look at where you lose points, whether you struggle with certain topics or question types, and how well you manage your time. This will help you create a more targeted study plan.
Step 3: Practice the Skills the Exam Actually Measures
Students should also focus on the skills their AP Exam actually measures. AP Exams increasingly emphasize application, analysis, reasoning, and communication rather than simple memorization. Regularly practicing AP-style questions, reviewing mistakes, and completing timed free-response questions can be more effective than simply rereading notes.
Step 4: Practice in the Actual Testing Environment
Finally, students taking digital or hybrid exams should practice in the actual testing environment. Becoming familiar with Bluebook, digital tools, response formats, and time management can help reduce technical distractions and allow students to focus on demonstrating what they know on exam day.
6. A Suggested 2027 AP Preparation Timeline
Students do not need to wait until spring to begin preparing. A simple timeline can help students avoid last-minute cramming.
Timeline | What Students Should Do |
Summer–Fall 2026 | Build the Foundation Focus on understanding course concepts and keeping up with classwork. For newly revised AP courses, become familiar with the updated course framework and exam expectations rather than relying on older materials. |
Winter 2026–27 | Begin Exam-Specific Practice Start incorporating AP-style questions into regular study. Identify weak areas and begin targeted review. Students taking AP World Languages and Cultures should also stay on track with course projects and Personalized Project Reference (PPR) requirements. |
March–April 2027 | Intensify Practice Shift from learning content to applying it under timed conditions. Complete timed multiple-choice sets, free-response questions, full-length practice exams, error analysis, targeted review, and digital testing practice. Students with portfolio or performance-task requirements should complete them well before the April 30 deadline. |
May 2027 | Focus on Execution Focus on high-priority concepts, challenging question types, time management, and common mistakes. Get enough sleep and become fully comfortable with the exact testing environment before exam day. |
Read more:
Prepare for AP Exams With Aralia
Aralia’s AP Test Preparation Bootcamp is designed to help students prepare efficiently through structured review, practice exams, targeted strategies, and personalized guidance. Students work with experienced instructors, including educators with backgrounds as AP Readers, to better understand both the academic content and the expectations of AP Exams.
Rather than relying on last-minute cramming, students can develop a structured preparation strategy focused on identifying weaknesses, practicing AP-style questions, improving time management, and becoming more confident with the exam format.
With the 2027 AP Exams introducing several important changes, starting preparation early can give students a meaningful advantage.
