Understanding Score Cancellation and Score Withholding in AP Exams

Summary

AP exams are a big commitment, but if things don’t go as planned, students have two options—score cancellation and score withholding—to manage their results strategically.

Score cancellation permanently deletes your score and ensures it won’t appear on any future reports. It’s free but irreversible. To prevent colleges from seeing the score, submit the cancellation request by June 15 of the exam year.

Score withholding lets you temporarily hide a score from selected colleges. The score stays in your record and can be released later with a signed request. This option costs $10 per score per recipient and must also be requested by June 15.

Both options give students more control over their AP profile. Whether you want a fresh start or time to reflect on your performance, knowing these tools can help you make informed decisions that support your academic goals.

Understanding Score Cancellation and Score Withholding in AP Exams

Embarking on the journey of Advanced Placement (AP) exams is no small feat. As students, you invest time, effort, and dedication to showcase your mastery of challenging subjects. However, there may be instances where you find yourself contemplating the options of canceling or withholding your AP scores.
Let's delve into the nuances of these decisions to help the students make informed choices.

Score Cancellation: A Second Chance

Purpose:

The College Board allows students to cancel their AP scores to provide a reset if they face unexpected challenges on exam day, be it stress, illness, or simply not performing as expected.

When you cancel a score:

• Your exam won’t be scored, and if it has already been scored, the score is permanently deleted from College Board records.
• Once canceled, the score cannot be reinstated.
• The canceled score won’t appear on your AP score report.
• There is no fee to cancel a score.
• However, your original exam fee is not refunded.
• Archived scores (older than four years) cannot be canceled.

Timing Matters:

To ensure a canceled score isn’t sent to the college or university you selected as your free score report recipient (via cb.org/apfreescoresend), the AP Program must receive your cancellation by June 15 of the year you took the exam.

How to Cancel Your AP Exam Score

• Download the AP Score Cancellation Form (PDF).
• Fill out the form with your details, including which exam scores you want to cancel.
• Get it signed by your parent or guardian.
• Mail or fax the completed form to:
• AP Services
  P.O. Box 6671
  Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
  Fax: 610-290-8979

Score Withholding: Treading Cautiously

Score withholding is a great option when you're unsure about how well you did but still want the flexibility to send that score later if needed.

What It Means:

• Withholding a score prevents it from being sent to a specific college, university, or scholarship program.
• Unlike cancellation, the score still exists and appears in your AP account.
• You can release the score later with a signed written request—no charge for this.
• This option offers strategic control: you get to decide which scores align best with your college application.

Cost Consideration:

There is a $10 fee per score per recipient. Payment can only be made via credit card, and you must include that info on the form.

Timing Reminder:

To withhold scores from your free score report recipient, your request must also reach the College Board by June 15 of the year you took the exam.

How to Withhold Your AP Exam Scores

• Download the AP Score Withholding Form (PDF).
• Fill in your details, list the scores you want to withhold and from which recipients.
• Sign the form.
• Include your credit card information on the form for the $10 fee per score.
• Mail or fax the completed form and payment to:
• AP Services
  P.O. Box 6671
  Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
  Fax: 610-290-8979

Score Cancellation vs. Score Withholding: A Quick Comparison

Conclusion

In the realm of AP exams, the options to cancel or withhold scores provide flexibility and control as you navigate academic uncertainties. These tools are not signs of failure, they're strategic decisions.

Whether you’re seeking a fresh start through score cancellation or making a calculated move with score withholding, the power lies in your hands. Just remember: be mindful of the June 15 deadline, and always check with your target colleges for their specific AP score policies.

We hope this article helps you. Reach out to us by filling out our assistance form if you need any help with the preparations.