Students weighing the benefits of AP credit and $90 price tag

Every year, juniors and seniors have the opportunity to take certain classes that will prepare them for college. At the end of the class, they may take an advanced placement or other test to get college credit.

However, these tests come with a price tag -- $90 to take the AP history test, for example.

Even though the cost may seem intimidating, students do save money in the long run if they pass the test. Tuition at the University of Utah, for instance, is about $1,600 for 12 credit hours.

Financial aid is available for students who need help paying for their international baccalaureate or advanced placement tests. (Students can get the AP history test for $45.) Yet many students seem unaware that fee reductions exist.

So the question to high school students this week is: Does the cost of various tests discourage you from taking them?

"Well, I would still take the AP classes, because it's a lot less expensive than taking actual college classes, no matter how high they make it. Plus, I don't have to worry about the financial issue much -- my parents are my financial aid." -- Rachel Bohman, junior, West High School

"I think that it is stupid. We have other school fees to cover and not enough money." -- Jose Estrada, junior, Kearns High School

"I'm not taking AP classes because they're hard. I don't want to do that much homework." -- Michelle Hanson, sophomore, Viewmont High School

"It really bugs me that they are doing that to students (raising the prices of the SAT/AP/IB tests), but I would still take the classes, simply because it's a lot cheaper than the college course. And, my parents will pay for a test, but not for college." -- Mary Ma, junior, West

"I think (AP classes) are worth it, because they give you college credit, and it's less expensive than taking the class in college. But that's only if you pass the test." -- Michelle Selin, senior, Viewmont

"Personally, I probably would still take the AP classes, because my parents would pay for the tests. But, I can see how it could be a problem for other students, so there should be some type of state financial aid to deal with problems like that." -- Anna Roth, sophomore, West

"The cost of AP tests? No it doesn't matter to me, because my parents pay for it." -- Doug Wall, junior, Viewmont

"I basically thought (AP classes) would be a good challenge for me, kind of make me work harder and think more. At first I was a little bit scared to take the challenge. But no, I don't think about the cost of the tests, 'cause if I use the money now, then I won't have to spend it on college." -- Becca Williams, junior, Viewmont

Danielle Neeley is a junior at Kearns High School, Cat Cowan is a junior at Viewmont High School and Sierra Sloan is a junior at West High School. If you are a Utah high school student and have a topic you would like to see covered, please e-mail pulse@desnews.com or write to Susan Whitney at the Deseret Morning News.

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