Many AP scholars have always had the same question – why can’t AP exams be cheaper? In the upcoming 2025 year, AP exams will cost $99 dollars. The exam price comes from extensive research and work put into creating the exams. Despite this, students here at FOHI only pay $5 – while the school pays the rest – due to our total lower economic background.
So, what is the answer?
On one hand, the current price of $5 for every AP exam isn’t as daunting as paying the full price for it all at once, especially for lower-income students attending high school. This ensures that all students with various economic backgrounds have a chance to take advantage by paying only $5 for an AP exam. Also, the current price for AP exams enables students to commit to multiple AP classes without stressing about any major financial struggles. So, by keeping the price as it is, more students will be encouraged to take more AP courses due to the low financial consequences for failing an exam. Paying the $5 fee for AP exams encourages students to take advantage of equal college opportunities at the school by earning college credits from the exam. Since students can pay for multiple exams for $5 each, it can improve college applications later if they pass with a 3 or higher each exam.
On the other hand, increasing the price for AP exams at FOHI will motivate the students to fully commit to the AP course they are taking. Not only will they commit to the course during school hours, but it can also incentivize them to prepare for the AP exams by studying with their peers or receiving external help, ultimately leading to higher test scores. This increase in price can motivate students to do their best in preparations and lead to higher results for AP courses. An increase in pass rates for students is also very beneficial for teachers who teach specific AP courses that may be close to being removed from a high school by popularizing it when more students take the class and succeed, especially if the AP course is difficult. Finally, higher pass rates for AP classes help motivate teachers to teach and instruct their students about methods in the class that ensures they can pass the AP exam to make the student’s payment worthwhile.
There are also other alternatives to exam pricing that aren’t as clear-cut. Some schools make students pay fully but incentivize them by paying them back if they pass with a score of 3+. Regardless of the exams being either $5, $50 or $99, it is important to understand that credits earned from AP exams will almost always be cheaper than those at colleges. It is also important to remember that AP exam scores are not dealbreakers for college admissions. At FOHI, we are
incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to take AP exams for only $5, as students across the world must pay the $99, and sometimes more, to take the tests.
Writers Notes:
1- Real: I’m so poor. - Alan
2- Rough draft was accidently left in the final publish has been fixed very sorry
3- Yeah, he’s poor. - Benjamin