On October 25, students were expected to have a final decision on whether or not they would be signing up for any AP exams to take in the following May. The registration and payment was due for all of the exams on October 25. Exams typically vary around the $100 mark, while exams under the social studies category are free for all students. AP College Board can also provide students with a $37 fee reduction. Depending on one’s state, a student could potentially receive further fee reduction.
There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to signing up for an exam. A few of the key factors include date, pay, subject, and commitment time, such as studying or missing class. When a student is registering for any AP exam, they have to truly consider each factor before signing up. If a student changes their mind about taking a test, a $40 dropout fee on top of the original $100 is charged. There are also late fees, that add on a $50 charge if a student signs up late for an exam or forgets to pay on time.
As for the reasons why AP exams cost money, there are a few to take into account. Each single exam has to be printed, a grader has to be paid for their time grading tests, and a lot of time is spent researching and constructing a test for each course. These reasons allow for a charge to be made.
“There is also a small part of the fee that covers the cost to hire proctors to give the exams,” the supervisor of Assessment and Evaluation, Dr. Bethany Brunsman said. “Since the schools must give the exam at the same time class is happening.”
Students have a better sight on what taking an AP class means, and what exactly an exam would entail. When asked, 45.8% of students decided not to take an AP exam this year. Students from each grade level each have a multitude for not participating. “It’s too much stress, I’d rather take dual credit.” One student said. Another student had worries about the monetary policy when it came to dropping the exam. “I genuinely hate my AP U.S. History class and I kind of regret signing up for the exam since I do not want to stay in the class, but there’s a monetary penalty for dropping it. Which I think is stupid, but I don’t wanna push that burden on my mom. I really only took it for the college credit.”
If a student decides to sign up for an exam, they are typically signed up for more than one. This specific student is taking four AP exams. “The exams offer cheaper college credit and the classes involve actual learning compared to non-AP/Diff classes. I am a good test taker and feel that is the best option for me to get the college credit from my AP classes.” While this student is taking two exams, the opinion of why someone might or might not take an exam vastly differs from each other.
AP exams are something that can benefit a student if they succeed. If they get a score that is high enough, it will count as college credits, meaning that the student will not have to repeat the class in college. The charge for exams makes a vast amount of sense, even if it may be inconvenient to some students.
AP exams may become more sought out after when the monetary fee disappears. That’s already being seen in classes such as AP World History and AP Human Geography, as more students sign up to take them. “It’s free. It’s dumb not to take it, considering that it’s free credit,” a student enrolled in AP U.S. History explained.
AP exams have been around since 1952, and they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. But the pricing might be taking a turn for the better. As the exams keep on, improvements and changes will continue to be pushed out, in the benefit of students. Be sure to study hard and prepare throughout the year for any exams or tests. The grade does matter, as well as the work put into preparation.
