The number of ability points required depends on the level of the ability; you need 1 to learn level 1, 2 for level 2, etc.
While the 'All Skilled Up' talent gives you a bonus early in the game when it may be most useful, you can actually trade in a talent point for more ability points later in the game.
Thanks for mentioning the search; I've fixed that (and bumped you up from the NewUsers group, which has restrictions meant to discourage spamming).
