What to Bring on AP Exam Day

Before exam day:

• Check with the school or center where the exam is being administered to find out what room the exam is being administered in.
• Plan to arrive well before your exam’s scheduled starting time.

Be sure to bring these:

• No. 2 pencils for your multiple-choice answer sheet. (Students outside the U.S.: bring HB or No. 2 pencils.)
• Pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions in most exams.
• An acceptable calculator if your AP Exam allows the use of a calculator.
• If you don’t attend the school where you’re taking the exam: a current government-issued or school-issued photo ID. (Additional ID may be required by authorized test centers outside the United States.)
• Your College Board SSD Accommodations Letter if you are taking an exam with approved testing accommodations.
• A watch that does not have internet access, does not beep or make noise, and does not have an alarm.
• A ruler or straightedge only if you are taking an AP Physics Exam. Protractors are not allowed.
• For digital AP Exams: A testing device that meets AP Program criteria.

Don't bring these:

• Electronic equipment including phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, wearable technology, cameras, recording or listening devices, or any other type of electronic or communication device.
  • Digital recording devices that meet AP Program criteria are allowed only for the AP French, AP German, AP Italian, and AP Spanish Language and Culture Exams, and the AP Music Theory Exam.
  • Computers that meet AP Program criteria are allowed for the AP Chinese and AP Japanese Language and Culture Exams.
• Books, reference guides, notes, compasses, protractors, mechanical pencils, pencils that are not No. 2, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or colored pencils.
• Scratch paper: Students are prohibited from bringing scratch paper to the AP Exam. For AP Chinese and AP Japanese Exams, scratch paper will be provided.
• Watches that beep, make a noise, or have an alarm.
• Computers or calculators that are not approved.
• Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions.
• Ear plugs.
• Clothing or shoes with subject-related information.
• Food or drink.
• Clipboards.

A student observed with any of these prohibited items during testing or breaks may be dismissed from the exam, the device may be confiscated, the student’s score may be canceled, and no retest may be permitted.

Follow any specific health and safety protocols for the exam room that your school may have in place. AP policies allow you to bring hand sanitizer to the room, but it must be placed under the desk, not on the desk. You may use any other PPE (such as masks) following your school’s current requirements.