Testing Costs

Paying for College
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<p>~~~Sorry I couldn't think of another forum to put this under!</p>

<p>As I have been taking AP classes, the ACT, the SAT and subject tests, I have realized the great cost that accompanies each of them. I do not qualify for free lunches or reduced tests at my school, and I have a seasonal job that I may not be able to continue because of my summer programs. What are some ways (even if unconventional) that a highschooler can do to have more resources to fund said activities? Scholarships can be time consuming and seem to be mostly arbitrary and they don't offer cash to pay for testing or other learning resources usually.</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

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<p>Most ideas would also have to be time flexible i.e. not a standard job</p>

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<p>tutoring, lawn mowing, pet sitting, babysitting, etc.</p>

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<p>bump</p>

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<p>Sell stuff on eBay. Also, have you written a budget that lists all of these upcoming costs? It can help to put it all there in a spreadsheet, and you can start getting the money together for each one. Seeing each cost in black and white will help you to make decisions such as whether to go out with friends to a movie or save the cash for an upcoming SAT test. Does your school or school district not pay for your AP tests?</p>

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<p>Add house-sitting and cleaning. Develop a resume and get it to your teachers and other trusted adults so they know you’re in the market for these jobs.</p>

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<p>@chesterton no, they are 92$ each and I have two this year but next year and senior year I will have four each so the costs will add up quickly. The AP exams alone wouldn’t be a problem but it’s the summer programs, SATs, prep books, ACT, subject tests, and fees that go along with them that kill me!</p>

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<p>Prep books can be taken out of the library. What summer programs?</p>

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<p>@rstein… I wish you were in Florida, where you could take your AP classes online and the tests would be paid for. Our school district pays for all AP tests associated with the AP classes they offer, whether online or in a traditional classroom. I am very surprised that your school district does not pay for the AP tests, since the only way for you to get the AP credit is to take the test.</p>

<p>As far as the other costs, I guess just set your goal to get your best score in one shot at the SAT and the ACT. Buy used copies of the prep books, or use some of the inexpensive online resources (ACT offers a prep program for $19.95, no books required.) The public library usually has copies of test prep books. As far as subject tests, only take those that you must (most colleges don’t require these tests.) No need to take a subject test for every class you have been in (unless your favorite college requires it, I guess) - that is what your grades and transcript are for. I would recommend the Math 2, and then maybe Literature, or if you are planning to go into the sciences or engineering, take Physics. But don’t spend the money on those tests to demonstrate your mastery of the subject unless you have to.</p>

<p>One SAT - $51.00 (send to 4 colleges for no added cost)
One ACT Plus Writing - $52.50 (send to 4 colleges for no added cost)
SAT Subject Test - $24.50 for the first, $13 for each additional (Harvard only requires 2)</p>

<p>You mention summer programs - are you talking about test prep programs? If so, I am sure those are expensive, and why do you feel like you need to go to them? I would not have my kids take a prep course until after they had taken some practice SATs and ACTs so I could see how well they performed.</p>

<p>One thing is for sure - there are a lot of people and companies along the way with their hands out, looking to take your money.</p>

<p>When it comes down to it, you just need an outstanding GPA and one great SAT or one great ACT score - those are what seem to open doors to admission and merit aid. So, I would allocate most of your time, energy, and funds to those first - to whatever prep materials you need, and the tests themselves.</p>

<p>And try to resist what so many students do these days - applying to 10 or 20 schools, and spending all that money. Focus on a much smaller set of schools and save that money for when you are at college.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>@chesterton‌ thank you so much!</p>

<p>I have already taken the ACT once and I am taking a subject test at the end of this school year. </p>

<p>@MommaJ‌ </p>

<p>The summer programs that I am attending are not test prep–the one that I am doing this year is through JSA at Princeton; it’s just AP Government</p>

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<p>If money is that tight, the Princeton program may not be the best use of funds. I don’t think AP Government is considered one of the impressive AP’s for admission purposes.</p>