College-admissions testing has turned into a billion-dollar industry over the years, yet students struggle to even get involved. Exam prices continue to rise annually (College Board Balance Sheet) while less wealthy students struggle to seize the same college opportunities as their wealthier peers.

Federally-funded testing fee relief would be incredibly beneficial for students and would help level the uneven playing field the SAT/ACT/AP Exams present for the following reasons:

(1) While "fee waivers" exist for each testing type, they are often difficult or a hassle to obtain for students who need them. The College Board reported 17% of SATs in 2020 having been paid for with a fee waiver (2020 SAT Assessments Report). 

(2) The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was passed back in 2015 and allocated $1.2 billion in expanding the reach of the College Board by funding more AP courses in schools, as well as some partial or full exam fee relief. While this was helpful, it isn't enough. Roughly 9 million exams were administered in 2020 between the SAT, AP Exams, and the ACT. This has not met the scale at which relief is needed.

(3) The performance gap of these standardized tests is already a large issue to wealth disparities among students. Wealthier students can afford prep courses, extra practice, and tutors to fully prepare them to succeed on these exams, while less wealthy students can barely afford to take the test once, let alone multiple times. Eliminating test fees for all helps to close the performance gap by providing the opportunity for everyone to have multiple attempts at the exams (SAT/ACT) if they like, as well as saving money for potential prep, tutoring, or even basic needs for a low-income family.

I was inspired to write this from making a mock congressional bill in my AP Government & Politics class because it is a very important issue for students. Linked below is the PDF of my bill, please scan through/read and sign/share this petition so the college admission process can be exciting and successful for all!

Financial Assistance for Collegiate-Examination of Students Act (FACES)