The College Board is changing how Advanced Placement (AP) courses and AP exams will be offered for the 2019–20 school year. These changes impact when Leander ISD students will register and pay for AP exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s changing? When?

Exam ordering for year-long AP courses will move from the spring to the fall. Students taking second semester AP courses will register for the AP exam in the spring.

Why is AP Exam registration moving to the fall?

According to College Board, when students commit early to taking an AP Exam, their chances of earning a score of 3 or higher increase. It also betters their chances of earning college credit.

Why is AP Exam registration moving to the fall?

According to College Board, when students commit early to taking an AP Exam, their chances of earning a score of 3 or higher increase. It also betters their chances of earning college credit.

Who pays for AP exams?

Both students and LISD pay for portions of an administered AP exam. The regular AP exam fee is $94 ($57 for economically disadvantaged students). Leander ISD subsidizes $25 of that for every exam taken, including those for students who are economically disadvantaged. If students still have economic hardships paying for exams, LISD and LEEF provide campuses with scholarship funds that reduce the cost even more. This will continue to be the practice in 2019–20.

Student will be responsible for the two new fees if incurred. LISD funds will not be used to cover late or cancelled test fees.

What These Changes Mean for Students

AP teachers and students will continue to have access to free online resources that support student progress throughout the year.

The AP experience will largely remain the same – students will still sign up for classes at the same time, exams will still be administered in May – but there are a few changes during the 2019–20 school year.

Fall Commitment

Students will sign up for AP Exams in the fall. Your school will provide directions on how to register and will place the exam order for students. If a class doesn’t start until after the fall deadline, AP coordinators can still order exams by the spring deadline.

New Resources

Students will get personalized feedback through new digital tools that provide daily support for every AP classroom. Their teachers will be able to track their performance throughout the year using an online bank of real AP practice questions and monthly personal progress checks.

Exam Costs

The exam fee and the fee reduction haven’t changed for the 2019–20 school year, but College Board is introducing two new fees: a $40 fee for late registration and another $40 fee for canceling the exam. These fees encourage students to commit to the exams early and stay engaged throughout the year, increasing their chances of earning college credit.

What should students do before the school year?

Students should visit apstudent.collegeboard.org to learn more about AP courses and exams.

Students without a College Board account should create one and set their password. Students should record these credentials and ensure they can access them in the fall when their AP classes begin.

Students who already have an account should make sure they know their username and password. Most students created College Board accounts when they received their PSAT, AP, or SAT Score Reports.

Leander ISD Exam Registration and Payment 2019–20 School Year:

Registration for yearlong courses

Opens Aug. 15
Closes Oct. 21 at 11:59 p.m.

Registration for courses offered only second semester

Opens Jan. 7
Closes Feb. 24 at 11:59 p.m.

Late Registration for both yearlong & second semester courses

*$40 late fee

Opens Nov. 16
Closes Feb. 24 at 11:59 p.m.