Exam Security

Ensuring a Fair and Secure Testing Environment

All students should have the same opportunity to succeed on AP Exams. The AP Program maintains strict exam administration and security procedures to prevent incidents or improper conduct that could disrupt the exam administration or give any student an unfair advantage.

The AP Coordinator’s Manual, Part 2 provides the information needed to prepare for, administer, return, and pay for AP Exams. 

Informing Students of the Importance of Exam Security

Exam security information for students will be in the AP Exam Terms and Conditions. We’ll email schools and students when the Terms and Conditions are available. Ensure students have reviewed them before the exam administration. On exam day (or when submitting their work through the AP Digital Portfolio), students acknowledge they’ve read and agree to the AP Exam Terms and Conditions.

In Case of a Security Breach

A breach of exam security at a school’s administration site could result in the invalidation of exam scores for individual students or for all the students taking that particular exam at the school. In addition, if a school doesn't adhere to the policies and procedures detailed in the AP Coordinator’s Manual, Part 2, it will not be allowed to offer AP Exams in subsequent years and may be held liable for financial damages incurred by College Board as a result of a breach of security.

If you discover or suspect any issues related to the security of your school’s exams, call the Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) immediately.

College Board will prohibit individuals from taking the SAT, CLEP, or AP Exams when we conclude they have deliberately gained or attempted to gain or share an unfair advantage on any College Board test, or otherwise threatened the integrity of the test. Examples include viewing or capturing images with a cell phone on exam day or being caught with a “cheat sheet” containing test content, answer keys, or other content that would provide an unfair advantage.

The duration of an individual’s ban may vary depending on the circumstances and severity of the violation, as determined by College Board. College Board reserves the right to share information, including the names of banned test takers, with their attending high schools and interested higher education institutions.

Appeals of the ban will be considered and decided at College Board’s discretion.

Office of Testing Integrity

If you observe any behavior that might lead to invalidation of scores, contact us as soon as possible.

Office of Testing Integrity
P.O. Box 6671
Princeton, NJ 08541-6671
Phone: (833) 435-7684 (toll free in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada) or (609) 406-5430
Email: [email protected]
Test Security Hotline: 
collegeboard.org/reportcheating