WASHINGTION -U.S. Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., today announced that New Mexico will be receiving $98,800 to pay for low-income students to take Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. These tests allow high school students to earn college credit and dramatically increase the chances that students will go on to college and succeed.
"When a student wants to invest the time and effort that AP and IB classes demand they should not be denied the opportunity to receive credit just because their parents cannot pay the testing fee," said Udall. "With this funding, 3,800 hard-working New Mexico students will be able to take another step towards a college degree, with all of the life benefits that brings."
Recent studies indicate that students who take AP and IB classes are more likely to complete college and perform better than other students with comparable SAT or ACT scores. In turn, college graduates earn higher incomes, enjoy better health and live longer lives.
AP tests cost $86 per subject. The price of an IB exam varies depending on the number of students participating in an IB class.
