To:        BHS Students and Families

From:        Ms. Malcolm and Ms. Burch

Date:         September 1, 2024

Re:        2024 AP Exam Registration: Important Dates and Registration Process

Congratulations!  We’re proud of you for doing all that it takes to take an AP course and exam. The 2024 AP Exam calendar is below.  Testing begins Monday, May 5, 2025 and runs through Friday, May 16, 2025 at BHS and the Burlingame Community Center (behind the BHS/ Washington Park baseball field).

Please ensure that you read this letter in its entirety, review the dates carefully, and refer to the AP FAQ.

The College Board requires students enrolled in an AP course and participating in the AP Exams in May 2025 to register, pay, and commit to taking the exam this spring. The deadline to register and pay for taking AP exams at Burlingame High School is October 31, 2024 (see chart below). All AP students must join the AP courses, using join codes provided by AP teachers, by September 29th, 2024. Total Registration will open September 30, 2024. Students must join courses on AP College Board and pay for AP exams on Total Registration. Both steps must be completed in order to take AP exams.

AP teachers will review the class registration and exam ordering process with students in their classes in September. For more information you can visit https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/.

There are two steps to complete the AP exam registration process (complete the steps in order):

Step 1: College Board - log into your College Board AP portal, and enter join codes to join your class sections by September 29, 2024.  

Step 2: Total Registration - Pay for exams through BHS Total Registration website. Total Registration will open on September 30, 2024. Link below.

Additional Notes

• Students who are eligible for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program pay $5 for each exam (students who have not yet applied for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, please contact Ms. Marty in the Finance Office)
  
• If you have a significant financial hardship and have applied, but do not qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Program, please see Ms. Burch or Ms. Malcolm directly by Thursday, October 31, 2024.
  
• Registration and payment will occur primarily through the Total Registration website. Total Registration accepts  credit/debit cards, checks, and money orders.

Advanced Placement FAQ:

Q1: Can I take the AP exam if I am not enrolled in AP courses at BHS?

A1: No, students must be enrolled in AP courses at BHS in order to take the exam. UC Scout and BYU do not count for BHS course enrollment and do not authorize students to take exams at BHS (per SMUHSD policy). The only exceptions are made for World Languages (per SMUHSD policy).

Q2: I am not taking AP courses at BHS.  Therefore, I cannot take AP exams at BHS, what do I do?

A2: You will need to find an alternative testing location outside of SMUHSD. Search here.  

Q3: I am taking Macroeconomics in the Spring semester. How do I join the course?

A3: Students who are taking Macro in the spring semester will receive the course join code in their AP Government and Politics course in the fall. Students taking Macro need to meet the same requirements/date deadlines outlined above.

Q4: I changed my mind and no longer want to take the AP exam. Do I get a refund?

A4: Students are entitled to a refund (less the 40 dollar cancellation fee) up until November 15, 2024 at 11:59pm. No refunds will be issued after that date and time.

Q5: If I miss my AP exam, will another exam automatically be ordered for me?

A5: No, if you miss your AP exam for any reason, you need to email amalcolm@smuhsd.org and dburch@smuhsd.org within 24 hours of the missed exam to request a late exam be ordered. A late fee may apply depending on the reason (per AP College Board).

Q6: What are the AP exam report times?

A6: For 8 am morning exams, report time is 7:30am.

For afternoon exams, report time is 11:30am.

Ensure you plan ahead and get to the testing location by the required report time.

Q7: What if I am late to my AP exam? Can I still take the exam?

A7: No, if you are late for the exam, you cannot be admitted into the testing room. You need to follow the instructions outlined in Q5/A5 (late exam fees may apply).

Q8: What if I have two exams running concurrently (ex: Physics 1 and Spanish Literature)? How do I take these exams?

A8: One of the exams will need to be taken during the late testing window (late schedule). Ms. Malcolm will order late exams. Order all exams you want to take in Total Registration.

Q9: What is the process for requesting SSD accommodations? When is the deadline?

A9:  Students who would like to request College Board-approved accommodations will need to complete this SSD consent form. For students with IEPs, please contact Ms. Bleviss, sbleviss@smuhsd.org. For students with 504s, please contact Mr. Dhyne, jdhyne@smuhsd.org. The deadline is January 24, 2025.

Q10: What if I have approved accommodations, but do not want to use them?

A10: Students who have College Board approved accommodations, who do not want to use the accommodations, must decline use of the accommodations by April 15, 2025. Otherwise, accommodations will remain in place. Please contact Ms. Malcolm, amalcolm@smuhsd.org.  

Q11: Can I use a calculator? If so, which exams allow calculators and what type of calculator may I use?

A11: Review the AP Calculator Policy here. The policy lists exams that permit a calculator and the approved calculator.