<p>GLM, by the time AP exams came around for my D last year … NO studying was in the cards. 5 exams, no studying, the results weren’t amazing. Had she gone to one of our state U’s, she would have gotten credit. Not at the school she chose, though. </p>
<p>I don’t have money to burn, that’s for sure … but I am not sending her to college in order to hurry through. I want her to enjoy, explore, and learn.</p>
<p>Getting AP credits doesn’t automatically get you out early, though. My d would have qualified to graduate only one semester early with her 24 credits. There is still a core curriculum to satisfy. What the credits did allow her to do is get into her major faster and take more advanced English, History, etc. courses than the typical English 101 with 300 kids in the class. She is using that “AP semester” to study abroad. Without the AP credits, she probably would have to spend an extra semester to make up for missing that semester in Missouri. I agree with you kelsmom, why would anyone want to leave college early??? Too much fun!</p>
<p>Its’ $90 per AP test around here, I don’t know where people get the $54 from?</p>
<p>My children went to public universities in the State of Michigan where freshman and sophomores were charged a certain amount per credit hour and juniors and seniors a higher amount. The University of Michigan is one of them. Go online and look at their tuition.</p>
<p>So when they enter the university with AP credits, they attain junior status earlier than they would have otherwise. We paid lower division tuition for three semesters and upper for five. I’m not saying we wouldn’t do it again, but I AM saying it was NOT a money saver.</p>
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<p>Not everyone can afford eight semesters of college. Getting AP credit for electives and some core requirements can help such students graduate.</p>
<p>I didn’t mind paying the AP test fee for S1, as he voluntarily took the exams, and ended up getting 41 hours of college credit for the price of 11 exams. Now, however, I have a different view as our school district now requires student sit the exam to receive the AP designation on their transcript. Problem I have is that most AP classes at the HS are hit or miss, mostly miss, whether student is prepared for the exam. The district doesn’t care, they just want to make Jay Matthew’s list. I am forced to pay for 3 exams this year, as S2 is a junior, so his transcript will accurately reflect that he did, indeed, take 3 AP classes. </p>
<p>Not so sure I will pay next year. S2 is not quite the test-taker S1 was, nor as motivated to do well anyway. S1 would have taken 11 tests no matter what the district policy was, and I would have gladly paid for his fees. But it was my choice, the HS transcript was not held hostage by AP test fees.</p>
<p>As for the CB AP audit improving AP classes, all the classes at the HS, 21 in all, passed the audit. That still doesn’t mean the subject matter is taught. It just means the district made sure the audit materials looked good. Nothing has changed, IMO.</p>
<p>Columbiastudent, our school district charges $54/test. I know my nephew’s charges $83/test. Looks like some schools either make money off it, or ours subsidizes???
Owlice: it was a laugh…</p>
<p>missou-mom,</p>
<p>Understood. And your schools are subsidizing the cost. [AP:</a> Calendar & Fees](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>AP Calendar - AP Students - College Board)</p>
<p>Wow! A Texas high school subsidizing something OTHER than football??? I am amazed! Also, we have until 3/14 to register at our school. My nephew HAD to register on 2/29(ONLY 2/29)…another $30/test if he was late. It’s weird how the schools are all so different!</p>
<p>It’s $84.00/test (just check out the college board website). In our public school, if it’s obvious that a student can’t afford it (the administration knows who can and who can’t), the PTA helps to cover the cost for them. Our experience with AP’s classes have been great. The classes tend to be taught to the highest common denominator of student potential. The regents level classes seem to be watered down gearing toward the lowest common denominator. Students know going into the class that they are required to take the AP test at the end of the year. It’s not a big deal. It’s a win win situation–more challenging, better class discussions (because the kids in these classes want to learn), and the students end up well prepared to take on the rigors of college.<br>
Another bonus is that most state schools will accept scores of 3 or higher and it’s a good way to get many of your general ed. requirements out of the way.</p>
<p>My backwards public FL high school was actually good with AP tests since they subsidized the costs if you signed up for the course and took the test. If you didn’t take the test, however, you had to pay. I ended up getting 40 credits off of 10 tests for free. All I get out of it is a junior parking pass my freshman year, the credits are all elective and don’t help me much where I am at. And everyone wants to borrow my car.</p>
<p>It’s $84 dollars usually, $7 is you’re on free or reduced lunch (Wow! The only reason I can think of them being THIS nice about it is there aren’t a lot of people at all who qualify for this) and negotiable subsidies if you take a lot of tests in one year.</p>
<p>Hmmm…our “reduced lunch” rate(as the school district calls it…that is how they deem you qualified for all the reductions)is $13…we have weird rates at our school!</p>
<p>The reduced rate will vary from district to district and even from school to school, as some schools will budget some discretionary funds for this, and others will have a PTSA help them out.</p>
<p>Our (public) HS will pay for them if you state that it is a hardship. You don’t have to prove income or anything, as far as I know. </p>
<p>Our S wants to take all of the tests, although it is somewhat unlikely that he will end up going to a school where he gets credits for them. Certainly that is not his motivation in taking the courses…he simply wants the higher comparative level of intellectual challenge.</p>