<p>I disagree with this post. I suspect that the actual truth is that the actual costs of producing the test and giving the test all around the country exceeds the fees taken in. Not all of these tests are simply multiple choice tests. Some involve essays. Someone must read all those thousands of essays. And someone reasonably capable. That person doesn’t work for free. The tests must be transported to the test location. The test locations must be heated or air conditioned. And cleaned up after the test. Proctors must proctor the test. Etc. Etc. Etc. There are probably a zillion other costs the rest of us are not even aware of. </p>
<p>No one wants to pay for anything in America anymore. Everybody wants everything for free. I saw a post on CC recently where some kid said college should be totally free. And of course, 1/2 the country supports free health care. And free use of ATM machines, which need to be built, stocked with money every day, and maintained. If we in America don’t start paying for the full value of services we get, we will go the way of Greece.</p>
<p>I bet the family who groans about paying for AP tests spends money going out to dinner, buying cigarettes, bottled water, designer blue jeans and running shoes, lottery tickets, has a nice big screen TV set, computer equipment, etc., etc. etc. THAT, they are willing to pay for. </p>
<p>Sorry not to be too sympathetic, but that’s my viewpoint on this. Now, if you really are poor, that is indeed a different story.</p>
<p>As previous messages have noted, if you pass the AP test, it will save you a ton of money in college tuition, so it would seem to me that the AP test is actually a bargain.</p>