Advanced Placement

AP Exam FAQs

When are the AP exams given?

2026 LMHS AP Exam Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H6YMSO-XWzaDTWYGZPqK848YIQImw-GuOtmpMJ6yr9U/edit?usp=sharing

How much does an AP exam cost?

The Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District pays the exam fees for all LMHS students.

If I'm not a LMHS student, may I take an AP exam at LMHS?

If you are a student at another school in the Norwalk-La Mirada School District, then it is possible with Administrative approval.

If you are not a student at a school in the  Norwalk-La Mirada School District, then you are not able to take AP exams at LMHS.

Can I take the AP Exam if I haven't taken the AP course?

Yes, with Administrative approval. 

The College Board urges students to study the kinds of skills and subjects outlined in the Course Description for each subject, because they represent the basis for the AP Examination. The best way to do so is in a year-long AP course in which the students and teachers focus on AP-level work. Some students, however, have taken strong courses and/or have studied in depth on their own. Such students may be able to perform quite well on the AP Exam.

Does College Board provide accommodations for students with disabilities?

If you have a documented disability in an IEP or 504 Plan, you might be eligible for accommodations on AP Exams. To find out more, visit services for students with disabilities or contact your school's AP Coordinator.

If I don't get a high score on an AP Exam, will it hurt my chances for college admission?

If you take an examination as a senior, colleges will not receive your grade before July–probably well after you have been admitted. If you choose to report AP grades obtained before your senior year, you will primarily be telling the colleges that you undertook a difficult course and that you are serious about your studies. Overall, approximately two-thirds of all AP test takers receive AP grades of at least 3. This grade is regarded as an indicator of an ability to do successful work at most colleges.

How many times can I repeat an AP Exam?

College Board allows students to take an AP Exam each time it is offered, but you must get Administrative approval to retake an AP exam.

 How much time does an AP exam take?

Most of the exams take two to three hours to complete. For subjects that correspond to half-year college courses, the exam is closer to two hours in length. 

Will I lose points if I answer a multiple-choice question wrong? Should I guess?

The answer to the first question is "yes," but not as much as you might think. Your score on the multiple-choice section is based on the number of questions you answer correctly minus a fraction of the number of questions you answer incorrectly. (One-fourth of a point is subtracted for a wrong answer in questions with five answer choices, and one-third of a point in questions with four answer choices.)

The answer to the second question is a conditional "yes." Random guessing is unlikely to raise or lower your grade if you are unsure about the answer to a question, because of the formula (described above) used to deduct points for wrong answers. However, if you have SOME knowledge of the question, and can eliminate one or more answer choices, informed guessing from among the remaining choices is usually to your advantage.

When will I find out if I'm eligible for an AP Scholar Award?

If you are an AP Scholar Award recipient, you and your school will be notified in the fall after the May administration. After that time, grade transcripts that you request to be sent to colleges will include the scholar designation.