<p>I homeschool, and all the high schools in my local area want to charge me the $50 late fee for each AP test I want to take because I'm not enrolled in any of those schools. The price for 3 tests quickly skyrockets to $414 at this rate. Are the AP tests still worth it at this point? It's absolutely ridiculous that the CollegeBoard charges this much for a few damn tests. I bet it's cheaper to take these classes at the local community college than to pay for these exams! What do you think?</p>
<p>It’s probably not cheaper to take the classes at a CC. Even if it’s only 3 credits a class, that’s $46/cr. </p>
<p>That said, it might be better to take the class at a CC in some circumstances. If you’re really strong on the material, just suck it up and pay for the AP. If you’re at all weak, check your local CCs prices. </p>
<p>By the way, I would only bother if you’re likely to get credit for that particular AP where you hope to go, or if you need the score to prove you learned (since you’re home schooled).</p>
<p>The enrollment fee at my local CC is $26/unit. Wow. It costs less to take an entire 3 unit course than to have one AP exam graded. What does this say about the CollegeBoard?</p>
<p>That said, I’m really trying to transfer in one year. This means getting as many classes out of the way as possible with AP exams. Gah.</p>
<p>The three exams are AP Lang and Comp, APUSH, and Biology. Nothing hardcore.</p>
<p>I could take the exams next year, I suppose. But I’d have to remember all the information. That’s unrealistic.</p>
<p>I was under the impression JamesGold was from CA, but I’m not sure why. Maybe NY.</p>
<p>Anyway, if the former => CC’s cost ~$25/unit</p>
<p>CCs are that cheap!?! Wow! So a semesters tuition for 18 credits is under $500? </p>
<p>That’s insane.</p>
<p>I thought $80/cr at my local CC was a good deal.</p>
<p>As for what that tells you about the collegeboard… It’s a monopoly. Maybe a future CCer will come up with an alternative but it’s all you got for right now.</p>
<p>It’s actually free if you go to real HS and get permission from the school.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m from CA. Specifically looking at Moorpark College. </p>
<p>Anyway, is it worth the extra $50/course so that I can get them out out of the way now? Long term goal is to transfer in one year. I guess I should bite the bullet and pay up; I don’t want to have to study twice for all the exams.</p>
<p>EDIT: Homeschoolers don’t get to take classes at CC for free? Ridiculous.</p>
<p>2nd EDIT: Wait. Technically I’m enrolled in an online virtual school called CAVA (California Virtual Academies). It’s not actually homeschooling. Maybe this will count as “real” high school.</p>
<p>James, my son is also homeschooled and will be graduating this May. I’m not sure what year in high school you are, but here are a few things we discovered this year in the college application process: 1. Awards are given for the number of AP classes you take (AP Scholar,…), 2. Scholarship applications want to know what AP classes you have taken. The scholarships can be VERY competitive and this MAY put you at a disadvantage. 3. Subject tests may also be necessary depending on where you apply - again this can be a hefty fee. I realize you already have a school in mind which is GREAT. Please realize though that you might change your mind for lots of factors which may or may not be in your control. These things being said, the advantages of taking the class at community college are: 1. You have someone else giving you a grade (which may already be happening at the virtual school). 2. College apps and scholarship applications consider classes taken at other colleges/universities. </p>
<p>Overall, if my son had to do it over again, I would recommend doing a combination of AP classes and community college classes. I would recommend enough AP classes to make you competitive at your top 3 colleges/universities - ones you are confident you could earn a 5 on. I would recommend taking sciences at community college so the colleges/universities to which you are applying will see that you have definitely had lab experience. I hope this helps. Good luck.</p>