MacRumors reports that Apple has started accepting iPad applications into the App Store.

The iPad section of the App Store will be launching on April 3 and developers who hope to have their application in the store on the grand opening should submit their application by March 27 at 5 PM.

9 to 5 Mac has posted screenshots of the iTunes Connect submission interface.

It’s kind of mind boggling to think that the majority of developers haven’t been able to test their application on an actual iPad.

But for a select few developers, Apple has allowed them to test their applications on a real iPad. Douglas MacMillan, writing for BusinessWeek, shed some light on the terms of Apple’s agreement for those who do get access to an iPad. MacMillan spoke with four people familiar with the terms who claim that the iPad must be kept in a room with blacked-out windows. The device must also remain tethered to a fixed object.

It should come as no surprise that Apple has allowed some developers access to an iPad before it’s release. Apple allowed a few developers access to the iPhone SDK before it was launched, and this is no different. Apple wants this platform to be successful, and although the simulator gives developers a really good idea of how their application will work, there’s no substitute for trying your application on a real device.

I just hope that the developers who only have the simulator to work with won’t have too many serious changes to make once they get their iPads on April 3.