Starting in 2019, students will have to register in the fall (October) for AP exams. “College Board data from multiple
years has shown us that when students make exam-taking decisions at the beginning of the school year, they’re more invested in the course, put in more effort, and perform better on the exam.”
Our high school has decided to implement the changes starting this school year. Here’s what they sent:
“Exam cost
Prior to October 15, 2018: $96 (includes processing fee)
October 16, 2018 - March 1, 2019: $134
Cancellation fee for exam ordered but cancelled October 16, 2018 - March 1, 2019: $40
Fee waivers are available for qualifying students; students should inform the Counseling Center, of their eligibility.
No refunds for exams will be given after December 31, 2018. The exam timeline and costs are changes initiated through College Board”
I know that paying for AP exams can be difficult for some families. Hopefully people can spread the word so that parents will be prepared and have the money earlier in the school year.
While true it souns like another way to make money
Our school requires all AP class students to take the test. This certainly could be a financial burden for some.
We always had to pay at the beginning of the year…guessing our school will continue that especially since the cost is so much more per test to pay later.
Agreed…another money maker for the College Board.
I am trying to find this info on the College Board site so I can share it with my homeschooling family friends. I can’t find this info - is it possible to share a link? Sorry, maybe I just haven’t had enough caffeine this morning.
@Nicki20 - That was my response when I first read the email as well.
@JanieWalker - I received this info in a PDF attachment to an email from my children’s school. I did a quick search and didn’t find it on the CB’s website either. Maybe because it’s not until the 2019-2020 year? (And my school just wants to take advantage of it now?) I would share the attachment if I knew a way to do so on these forums.
This is going to hit seniors who don’t know whether they need the test or not. My S is a junior but many seniors in his AP Gov class aren’t bothering with the test because they are going to colleges that don’t accept AP credit. But, in October, no one knows where they are going to college so everyone will sign up. Yes, this is simply a way for CB to make more money.
@My3Kiddos Thanks - homeschoolers have to find schools willing to allow them to take the AP exams with the school’s own students, and the search for school hosts traditionally begins in late fall/early winter. Homeschooling parents need to know that the search now has to begin in August/early September or they will find their kids shut out of AP exams. I appreciate the heads-up and will be watching the College Board’s website daily so I can share a link with my various homeschooling associations as soon as possible.
(I am so glad our local private school is fabulous and friendly - the administration allows my kids to take AP exams there - my oldest is taking the AP Chem exam right now and I am currently stress eating jelly beans on her behalf).
To paraphrase Claude Rains in Casablanca: I’m shocked, shocked to find that the CB is looking for more ways to gouge money from students/parents.
=))
I am so thankful that our school pays for the student’s AP exams. Those costs would add up really quickly.
@JanieWalker - I get it now. Our public school doesn’t let homeschoolers take APs there. Blocking out residents of the district never made sense to me. (I used to homeschool and have friends who are still homeschooling.) It will make more work if families have to call the schools at the beginning of the school year and ask when their registration deadline is. It’s going to be confusing this year if some schools are implementing the earlier registration deadline while others are waiting until fall 2019 to implement it.
My S took both AP Gov and AP Comparative Gov his senior year. He got into his school ED so we knew he would only get credit for one of them. His HS didn’t require students to take the AP tests, but they also didn’t assist with the cost. I asked him to pick one because money was tight and I didn’t want to pay for both.
Our school offered a lot of AP classes but it was also 70% free and reduced lunch and our state did not adequately fund K-12. If this is the new policy, it could have a big impact. We had to pay registration fees at the beginning of the school year for books, etc. and having the added expense of AP tests will be a big financial burden.
Money making!
Last year I took a survey from College Board about this issue. The survey was super long and I found it quiet manipulative, written in a way to make parents say “yes” they do agree. I kept saying no I do not agree and the survey went on and on still trying to persuade me it would be better for the students.