From one AP to another, it seems that these exams are what consume the month of May for an untold number of high school students across the country, and Glen Rock High School is certainly no exception. Aside from administering standardized tests year after year, as of 2023, the College Board also offers 39 AP courses and exams, ranging from History and Social Science classes to Math, English, Science, etc. Those who attain a qualifying score on their official exam aim to earn college credits upon entrance.
Despite the ostensible edification of young minds, there may exist a far more powerful motive — money. While the College Board is an IRS-certified “non-profit,” it profits immensely from AP exams. Published by Total Registration is a table of the College Board’s total finances, delineating an upward growth in numbers: in 2022, the organization’s profit was $126,956,000, the total amount in cash and investments was $1,599,779,000, and revenue was $1,040,203,098 — $500 million of this revenue was obtained from AP exams, and these numbers are only bound to surge as time progresses.
Based on their financial statistics, many might speculate that “monopoly” is a far more suitable title for the College Board, rather than “non-profit.” With no rivals to offset their influence and amidst the intensifying competition of the college acceptance process, the pressure to enroll in these high-caliber classes is fierce and potentially costly. To begin, registering for each exam currently costs just over $100, so students enrolled in multiple courses ultimately end up spending several hundred dollars simply to sit for the exams.
Given the accelerating costs of college tuition, students are highly encouraged to aim for qualifying scores to defray tuition costs. The idea being that AP scores of 4 or 5 could potentially reduce the number of required credits or, in some cases, allow one to graduate early. However, upon delving into the policies of specific universities, it is evident that many only allow credits from certain exams, and in several cases, these credits may only be used to satisfy elective class requirements. Furthermore, certain institutions such as Boston College, simply do not allow students to earn credit through their AP scores. Despite the best-laid plans to lessen the financial strain of college, this unfortunate reality proves certain AP exams to be an unnecessary cost for many. As high school students and their families try to navigate these harsh realities, the College Board President earns well over $1 million a year.
In summary, there is no other organization competing against the College Board and sitting for multiple AP exams can be costly. Therefore, it is critical that you do your research, choose courses that align with your interests, and remain cognizant of the rigor of an AP course load.
