For most women, frequency of screening depends mainly on the woman's age and results of previous tests (1): Under age 21: Screening not needed From age 21 to 29: Usually every 3 years for the Pap test (HPV testing is not generally recommended) Age 30 to 65: Every 3 years if only a Pap test is done or every 5 years if a Pap test and an HPV test are done (more frequently in women at high risk of cervical cancer) After age 65: No more testing if test results have been normal in the preceding 10 years Pap tests should be resumed if a woman has a new sex partner; it should be continued if she has several sex partners.