Using Advanced Placement (AP) courses to fulfill college requirements has long helped college students save both time and money. But there are varying opinions about the value of AP courses and exams, with some arguing that they do not match the rigor of introductory college courses they replace.

This disagreement sometimes leads to inconsistency in policies regarding whether AP test scores can be substituted for actual college courses.

According to University of North Carolina system policy advisor Andrew Kelly, millions of student and taxpayer dollars go to waste each year due to inconsistent policies regarding the scores required for AP exams to count for college credit. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that fully funds the costs of AP for all public school students (the fee for each AP exam is $94). Consequently, the state spends over $12 million per year paying students’ expenses for taking AP exams.

Last month, Kelly spoke at a meeting of the Board of Governors’ Committee on Strategic Initiatives about the need for a coherent AP credit acceptance policy throughout the UNC system.