<p>In past years the AP Exam Registration was in February - this year it must be in by 10/30. Seems way too early to assess whether it will be a good investment of $91 or not. One of son's AP classes is being taught by a long term sub who then went on vacation - so they had a sub for the sub - and both subs seem like they're phoning it in. Last year son had an AP CS class taught by someone who did not know Java. Just trying to figure out if this is a College Board thing or the school's new policy.</p>
<p>At our school AP TESTS are a requirement, fees are added to the school fees in August. The bill can be hefty so you can make payments </p>
<p>Thanks for the response - does your child attend a private school or public? My son attends a public school - I don’t think they can require students to take the test - I know many students opted out last year for AP CS - son took the exam but it was basically self taught.</p>
<p>At our public school some test are required with some of the AP courses and some are optional. Optional ones are paid upfront. The required ones, I guess, must be paid by the school. Your child can study on their own for the test.</p>
<p>I look at it this way. If the AP class can be transferred for college credit than it’s a very small price to pay for the test. It would never cost so little for us to take the same thing roughly at a college level. We saved thousands upon thousands of dollars with the credits that were transferred for our son. At least a semesters worth. We didn’t transfer everything only a few.</p>
<p>At my public school, AP tests are paid for in March. Also, did the price increase this year? I remember it being $89 last year.</p>
<p>For a public school, 10/30 seems WAY too early to be paying for AP tests. It’s too early in the year for students to determine whether they feel confident with the material or not. I wouldn’t even be sure what AP exams I would be taking this year if they were to make me sign up for them now. I’ve been taking AP exams for the past two years and usually we sign up and pay in mid March.
I would talk to your son’s school or contact CollegeBoard directly to see what the problem is. It would be so unfair for the school to make him decide this early. I hope everything goes well. :)</p>