I took a few APs and I got the feeling that while a few students were really interested in the subject and really wanted the college experience, most just wanted the bump in the GPA. Due to the expense of it the lab component was completely dropped. Since I learn mostly by trying and experimenting I felt like I learned less than when I took honors physics. I think by exam time most of realized we weren't really prepared and got used to the idea of taking college physics no matter the grade we got.

The college board makes a lot of money on these exams. The district paid for the curriculum and the exams. About $600 per student on average I believe. So there is a lot of money to be made by signing students up.