A new roadblock has come up for Advanced Placement (AP) students, and it’s not studying for the class or cramming for the national exam.

The cost of the AP exam has increased this year from $100 to $105.

In this economy, many teachers and students are concerned about being able to afford the test costs.

“I think that the AP tests costing more are a direct effect of the economy, and it’s inconvenient but we have to do what we have to do,” said sophomore Anjali Kadakia, who is taking the AP European History test. 

Although the increased costs may be justified, Anjali believes it isn’t fair for students who can’t afford the tests.

“Just like the kids who do work around the school because they can’t afford lunch, kids who can’t afford the AP tests should be able to work with the school to pay for the test,” said Anjali.

The district has a list of students who may qualify to waive the AP test fee, but this opportunity only applies to those who have dire financial need.

Career center counselor Harvalee Grimm, who coordinates Cal’s AP testing , said that in addition to deciding the number of students who qualify for financial aid, the district also decides the cost of the test.

“The College Board sets the fee for the test, but we have to add to that, to pay our proctors,” said Grimm.

Grimm added that even though the tests are costly, she strongly advocates taking them to show colleges a completion of the course and the knowledge gained.

“I feel strongly that students should take the AP test as a culmination of the class,” said Grimm.

AP English Literature teacher Richard Hight also provided a valid point about taking the AP tests.

“I wish the tests were cheaper because it discourages some students from taking them,” Hight said. “However, they are cheaper than a college course and count for college credit.”

Hight said that since the College Board is out to make a profit, they would not be lenient when it comes to the cost of the test.

The tests put a lot of money in the College Board’s account.

AP European History teacher Chris Doherty agrees with Hight’s wishes to lower the price of an AP test, but he said that it hasn’t made much of a difference this year.

 “I haven’t seen a decline in AP test taking,” Doherty said. “It hasn’t discouraged students, or very few.”

Some seniors this year are less inclined to take the AP test, because they aren’t getting the credit for them.

Mitch Sanford, a senior taking five AP tests, said that even though some colleges don’t accept the credit of some of the AP tests passed, students should take the test regardless.

“It depends a lot on the college you’re going to,” Mitch said, “but sometimes you’re not sure if they’ll accept your credits or not, but you should take them anyways.”  

Senior Cecillia Xie disagrees.

“A lot of them are not worth it in college,” said Cecillia. “I am going to Yale and they won’t let me go in as a sophomore. They are making me go in as a freshman because that is their policy.”

Senior Brad Perfect said that he is still taking the AP tests for his AP classes, despite the increased cost for tests. 

“I think underclassmen should take the tests because they get college credit,” Brad said.

Many students and teachers agree that the value of tests is greater than the costs.