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<\/p>\nWatching your child wait for AP scores can feel like sitting at a train station: excitement, a little dread, and a hundred tiny decisions about which train to take. As a parent, you want to protect their options, maximize opportunities for credit or placement, and avoid mistakes that can\u2019t be undone. The mechanics of sending, withholding, and canceling AP scores are simple in theory but layered in practice \u2014 and that\u2019s exactly why a calm, clear plan helps.<\/p>\n
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When your child receives AP scores, there are three main actions you might consider:<\/p>\n
Each choice has consequences. Sending is reversible only by additional score-sends or selective withholds; withholding is temporary and reversible; canceling is permanent. Knowing the rules, fees, and deadlines will protect your student from surprises.<\/p>\n
Deadlines are the heart of the process. Two dates are especially important:<\/p>\n
Practically: plan around that mid-June window. If your child is a rising senior or a high school junior applying early, treat these dates as immovable. When in doubt, request a withhold early \u2014 it\u2019s reversible and buys time.<\/p>\n
| Action<\/th>\n | When to do it<\/th>\n | Fee<\/th>\n | Reversibility<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designate Free Score Recipient<\/td>\n | By the annual June deadline<\/td>\n | Free (one recipient per year)<\/td>\n | Can change before score release<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Send Additional Score Report<\/td>\n | Anytime after scores are released<\/td>\n | Paid (per report)<\/td>\n | Not reversible; can send new reports later<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Withhold Score from a Recipient<\/td>\n | Must be received by mid-June to block free send<\/td>\n | Paid per score per recipient (modest fee)<\/td>\n | Reversible \u2014 can later release<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Cancel Score<\/td>\n | Anytime (but must meet mid-June to stop free send)<\/td>\n | No fee<\/td>\n | Permanent \u2014 cannot be reinstated<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\nSending scores: how it works and smart strategies<\/h2>\nWhen you send scores, the college receives an official AP score report that includes the student\u2019s entire AP testing history unless specific scores have been withheld or canceled. That means a decision to send one score often sends the whole story.<\/p>\n Free score send \u2014 use it strategically<\/h3>\nStudents typically get one free score send each year. If your child is testing junior year and already knows which colleges they\u2019ll apply to, it often makes sense to use the free send for a top-choice that accepts AP for credit or placement. If uncertain, many families hold off until they know more. But beware: waiting past the deadline can cost money and create rushed decisions.<\/p>\n Paid additional sends<\/h3>\nAfter the free option or for extra recipients, score reports are available for a fee. Factor in the costs if your child is applying to many schools. Also remember processing timelines \u2014 some orders process quicker than others, but plan for a few business days plus mailing or electronic processing time.<\/p>\n Practical tips for parents<\/h3>\nWithholding scores: a safety valve worth understanding<\/h2>\nWithholding is a targeted, reversible choice. If your child is worried about a specific subject score, withholding that score from a particular college prevents the recipient from seeing it on future reports \u2014 without deleting it from the student\u2019s record.<\/p>\n When to withhold instead of cancel<\/h3>\nBecause withholding is reversible, it\u2019s often the safer route than canceling outright. The process typically requires a form and a modest per-score per-recipient fee; it must be received by the AP Services team by the mid-June deadline to block the free score send recipient.<\/p>\n Canceling scores: when it\u2019s appropriate and why it\u2019s permanent<\/h2>\nCanceling permanently deletes an exam\u2019s score from College Board records. Once canceled, the score can\u2019t be recovered. There\u2019s no fee for cancellation, but exam fees are not refunded. Because of its permanence, cancellation is best reserved for rare situations \u2014 for example, if an exam administration was compromised in an unusual way or if the student and family clearly prefer the score never be reported.<\/p>\n Key conversations before canceling<\/h3>\nStep-by-step: how to submit requests (what to expect)<\/h2>\nCollege Board provides specific forms and submission paths for each request. The common elements you\u2019ll encounter include:<\/p>\n
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