Creating AP Class Sections and Exam Only Sections

After completing initial setup in AP Registration and Ordering, the AP coordinator needs to create class sections if teachers haven't already done so and exam only sections if applicable. Class and exam only sections must be created as soon as possible, before your school's classes or exam registration period begins.

Creating Class Sections

Class sections need to be created in AP Registration and Ordering to associate students with the classes and exams they’re taking.

The creation of class sections generates join codes (one unique join code per class section per school). Students use join codes to enroll in their class sections.

Creating Exam Only Sections

You’ll need to create an exam only section if your school administers AP Exams to students who aren’t enrolled in a course at your school, for instance:

• Independent/self-study students attending your school who want to take an exam for a course they’re not enrolled in
• Students who attend another school but want to test at your school
• Homeschooled students who will be testing at your school
• Virtual school students who will be testing at your school

Learn more about ordering exams for these students.

Only AP coordinators can create exam only sections; teachers can’t create them.

It’s recommended you create a separate exam only section for each exam subject that homeschooled, independent study, and/or virtual school students will be taking at your school. You may want to include information—such as “homeschooled”—in these exam only section names to help with your tracking. 

Join Codes

A unique alphanumeric join code is automatically generated for each class section or exam only section created in AP Registration and Ordering. Communicate with your school’s AP teachers to let them know when you’ve created class sections. Teachers then sign in to myap.collegeboard.org or AP Central to access the join code for each class section they teach.

Only AP coordinators can provide the join code to students in an exam only section. These students need the join code for the exam only section so they can confirm their enrollment and be included in the exam order.