Advanced Placement (AP) classes are the U.S.’s most popular way for high school students to explore advanced academic content and take college-level classes.
Choosing the right AP classes can set you up for success—but choosing poorly can tank your GPA, overload your schedule, or weaken your college applications. So how can you choose wisely? To make an informed decision, it’s helpful to look at AP classes ranked by difficulty and consider which ones align with your strengths and goals.
In this article, we’ll answer several questions that will help you avoid mistakes and make better decisions as you pick your AP courses.
Should I Take an AP Class?
The AP program offers introductory college-level courses across 38+ different subjects, including foreign languages, history, language arts, math, science, and the social sciences.
According to the College Board’s report on AP exams, in May 2024:
- 3,079,134 high school students took AP exams
- 5,744,259 exams were taken
- 77% of students took 1–2 AP exams
- 23% of students took 3+ AP exams
A June 2021 study of 1.5 million students noted 3 key benefits of taking an AP class:
- AP students are 16–19% more likely to enroll in a 4-year college, compared to academically similar students who don’t take any AP classes.
- Many colleges and universities accept AP exam scores of 3 or higher for college credit or placement into a more advanced course. Today, half of students entering a 4-year college start with some credit from AP classes.
- AP classes prepare students to succeed in introductory college classes. Even students who scored a 2 on the AP exam had college grades that were 0.36 grade points higher than students who didn’t take an AP class.
Will Taking an AP Class Help Me Get into College?
Taking an AP class can help you get into college.
College admissions officers like to see AP classes on a student’s transcript. Academic performance remains one of the most important factors in college admissions, and AP courses showcase a student’s ability to handle rigorous coursework. Colleges look for students who not only earn high grades but also push themselves to learn demanding material.
As long as you can earn a B or higher, consider taking an AP class. It shows college admissions officers that:
- You’re willing to push yourself academically.
- You’re prepared for the demands of college-level work.
- You’ve improved your critical thinking skills.
- You’re passionate about your intended major/area of interest.
Also, taking AP classes can boost your GPA. Many high schools use a weighted scale, giving extra points for AP courses (e.g., an A in an AP class might be a 5.0 instead of a 4.0). This can raise your overall GPA and make you more competitive for college admissions.
Additionally, if you’re applying as test optional—without SAT or ACT scores—then taking an AP class shows college admissions officers that you can succeed at a standardized academic test.
AP Classes Ranked by Difficulty
Below, you’ll find a complete list of all AP classes ranked by difficulty, from easiest to hardest, based on data from 3,295 reviews by real AP class alumni.
| AP Class | Overall Assessment | Difficulty (1-10) | Time intensive (1-10) | Ease of Self Study (1-10) |
| Psychology | Very easy | 3.5 | 4.7 | 3.4 |
| Computer science principles | Very easy | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| Environmental science | Quite easy, but difficult to score well | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Microeconomics | Quite easy | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
| Chinese | Very easy, but much harder for non native speakers | 3.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| Computer science A | Quite easy | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| US comparative government | Quite easy | 4.8 | 5.1 | 4.4 |
| Human geography | Quite easy | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| US government & politics | Quite easy | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| English language | Moderate difficulty, but 5 scores are rare | 5.2 | 5.1 | 4.6 |
| Macroeconomics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Statistics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Spanish language | Moderate difficulty, but much harder for non native Speakers | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 |
| Art history | Quite easy | 4.9 | 6.5 | 5.7 |
| Calculus AB | Moderate difficulty | 5.6 | 5.5 | 6.2 |
| Calculus BC | Moderate difficulty, but high pass rate | 5.6 | 5.5 | 6.2 |
| World history | Quite hard & time intensive | 6.0 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| US history | Quite hard & time intensive, but high pass rate | 6.0 | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Music theory | Quite hard, but easier to self study | 6.4 | 4.9 | 6.5 |
| European history | Quite hard & time intensive | 6.4 | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Biology | Quite hard | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.8 |
| Physics 2 | Quite hard | 6.7 | 5.7 | 6.8 |
| English literature | Very hard | 7.3 | 6.0 | 6.9 |
| Physics C: mechanics | Very hard | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.9 |
| Seminar | Quite easy; most pass, but 5 scores are rare | 5.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 |
| Physics 1 | Very hard with a very low pass rate | 7.2 | 5.9 | 7.4 |
| Physics C: electricity & magnetism | Very hard | 8.0 | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| Chemistry | Very hard, especially if you are self studying | 7.4 | 7.0 | 8.4 |
Tips for Succeeding in an AP Class
AP classes are challenging, but with the right strategies, you can manage your workload and perform well. Here are some key tips to help you succeed:
Don’t Overcommit: It might be tempting to take every AP class your school offers, but taking too many at once can easily overwhelm you. Be realistic about your workload and balance your AP courses with activities, personal time, college applications, and other responsibilities. It’s better to excel in a few AP classes than to struggle with too many.
Learn How to Study: AP courses require strong study habits. It’s important to develop a consistent study routine, take effective notes, and review material regularly rather than cramming before exams. Active learning strategies, such as self-quizzing and teaching concepts to others, can improve retention. To learn more, check out our Ultimate Guide on Building Good Study Habits.
Use Extra Resources: There are tons of digital resources out there to help you succeed in your AP classes. Check out YouTube tutorials, online study guides, and AP practice tests. Apps like Anki for flashcards or Khan Academy for explanations can help make complex topics easier to understand.
Ask for Help Early: If you’re struggling with a topic, don’t wait until the week (or even the month!) before the exam to ask for help. Reach out to your teacher, join a study group, or consider academic tutoring for extra support. Reaching out early can keep small struggles from turning into big problems.
FAQs About AP Classes
Which AP classes are the hardest?
Students rated Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, and Chemistry as the toughest, with high difficulty scores and steep learning curves.
Which AP class requires the most studying?
U.S. History, Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, and Chemistry demand the most homework and study time.
Which AP classes did students dislike the most?
The least popular courses were Seminar, English Literature, and Physics 2, with many students saying they wouldn’t recommend them.
Which AP exams have the lowest pass rates?
Physics 1, Environmental Science, and English Language had the fewest students scoring a passing grade.
Which AP exams are the hardest to get a 5 on?
It’s most challenging to earn a top score on Physics 1, Environmental Science, and English Language.
Which AP exams are the hardest to self-study for?
Students found Chemistry, Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, and Physics 1 the toughest to tackle on their own.
Which AP classes are the easiest?
The easiest were Computer Science Principles, Psychology, and Chinese (though Chinese is much harder if you’re not a native speaker).
Which AP classes have the lightest workload?
Computer Science Principles, Chinese, and Computer Science A required the least homework and studying.
Which AP exams have the highest pass rates?
Seminar, Chinese, and Spanish Language had the largest percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher.
Which AP exams are the easiest to get a 5 on?
Top scores were most common in Chinese, Calculus BC, and Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism.
Which AP classes did students love the most?
Favorites included Psychology, Microeconomics, and Computer Science A, with nearly all students recommending them.
Which AP exams are the easiest to self-study for?
The easiest to prepare for independently were Psychology, Computer Science Principles, and Environmental Science.
Conclusion
Choosing the right AP courses can make a big difference in your GPA and college applications. With so many options, looking at AP classes ranked by difficulty can help you find the best fit for your strengths and goals. Be strategic, challenge yourself, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance.
Need help selecting the right AP courses for college or managing your workload? HelloCollege has you covered! Reach out for a tutoring consultation today.
