You’ve studied for months. You’ve cried over textbooks, celebrated little wins, and gritted your teeth through exams. Now it’s time to check your AP scores. But… instead of a beautiful list of 3s, 4s, and 5s, you see an error message:
“An Error Occurred Retrieving Score and Awards.”
Seriously? After all of that?
Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Tons of students get this error when trying to view their AP scores on the College Board’s AP Students website. The good news is this problem can usually be fixed in minutes.
Why You’re Seeing This Error
This error looks scary, but most of the time, it’s something simple like:
- A weird cache issue in your browser
- Your account is logged into the wrong profile
- College Board has a temporary glitch (they’re human too!)
- You’re using an unsupported browser or outdated app
- Your scores just aren’t ready yet
Let’s break it down and walk through the fixes!
1. Start Simple: Refresh and Retry
It sounds obvious, but it works more often than you’d expect. Just:
- Refresh the page
- Close and reopen your browser
- Try again
Sometimes the page just didn’t load correctly, especially if a lot of students are checking scores at the same time.
2. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies
Your browser stores tiny files (cache and cookies). They help sites load faster, but sometimes they get in the way—especially if the site has changed things behind the scenes.
To clear cache and cookies, here’s a quick guide:
- Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data
- Firefox: Options → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data → Clear Data
- Safari: Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data → Remove All
Once done, close all tabs, reopen the browser, and try again.
3. Try a Different Browser or Device
If clearing cache didn’t help, try switching things up:
- If you’re using Chrome, try Firefox
- Use your phone if you’re on a laptop (or vice versa)
- Try Safari or even Microsoft Edge (yes, really!)
Sometimes one browser just doesn’t play nice with the AP website. Don’t ask us why—it’s the mysteries of the internet.
4. Check Your Internet Connection
Slow or spotty Wi-Fi can stop the page from loading properly. Make sure you’re connected to a strong signal. Try switching to another network if you can—or tether to your phone if needed.
5. Log Out and Log Back In
Yeah, it’s the classic IT move, but it works. If the page is stuck showing the same error:
- Click your name at the top-right of the AP Students page
- Select Log Out
- Wait a few seconds
- Log back in
This resets your session and forces the site to refresh your account info.
6. Make Sure You’re Logged into the Right Account
This one gets a lot of people. Maybe you made more than one College Board account (accidentally, of course). If you’re logged into the wrong one, you might not see your scores.
Ask yourself:
- Did you use a different email when you registered for the AP test?
- Did your school use your school email, but your account is on your personal one?
If you think a different account exists, try logging in with those other emails. You might find the scores hiding there!
7. Try the College Board App (Or Don’t)
Sometimes mobile apps work better. But with College Board… that’s a gamble. Their app gets mixed reviews. If you’re using the app and seeing the error, switch to a browser. If you’re on the browser and nothing’s working—try the app anyway. You never know.
8. Check If Scores Have Been Released Yet
This is important: maybe your scores just aren’t available yet. College Board releases scores in waves:
- Depending on your state or region
- Sometimes staggered across several mornings
Check the official AP Students Twitter or website to see the rollout schedule. If it’s not your day yet, take a breath. It’s coming.
9. Update Your Browser or App
Old software = new problems. If your browser is outdated, the AP website might not work right.
Just do a quick check for updates. Here’s how:
- Chrome: Click the three dots → Help → About Google Chrome
- Firefox: Menu → Help → About Firefox
- Safari: Comes with system updates (check your Mac updates)
Once updated, relaunch the browser and try again.
10. Contact College Board Support
If all else fails, reach out to the folks behind the curtain.
Here’s how:
- Call: 888-225-5427 (toll-free in the U.S.)
- Or use the Help page on AP Students
- Be ready with your name, AP ID, and confirmation emails
They’ve helped lots of students fix weird account or score issues. Don’t be afraid to call them!
Bonus Tips & Warnings
- Don’t panic if it’s July. Score release days are hectic. Servers can crash, freeze, or act up. Even College Board gets overwhelmed.
- Don’t keep refreshing every second. That just adds to the traffic problem.
- Be patient. If it’s a known issue, they’re probably already fixing it.
In Summary
This error might look annoying, but it’s usually nothing serious. In most cases, a few simple tricks like clearing cache, re-logging in, or using a different device can wipe it away like magic ✨.
So next time you see:
“An Error Occurred Retrieving Score and Awards”
Don’t scream. Don’t cry. Don’t throw your laptop. Just follow these steps, and you’ll likely be viewing your scores in minutes.
Remember:
- Stay calm
- Try different solutions
- Reach out for help if needed
And hey, even if things take a little longer to load, your hard work on those exams was worth it.
Go grab a snack while the site figures itself out. You earned it!
