Courses like AP Computer Science Principles, Psychology, Environmental Science, Human Geography, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics are the easiest AP classes because they rely on conceptual learning rather than complex math or heavy memorization, meaning less study time and higher pass rates.
If you’re looking to build a class schedule that fits your time and academic bandwidth, read on for a full breakdown of every AP class ranked by difficulty.
Easiest AP Classes [2026]
Below is a list of the easiest AP classes based on data from 3,295 reviews by real AP class alumni.
| AP class | Assessment | Difficulty | Time | Self study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Principles | Very easy | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| Psychology | Very easy | 3.5 | 4.7 | 3.4 |
| Computer Science A | Quite easy | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Environmental Science | Quite easy | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Human Geography | Quite easy | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| US Government & Politics | Quite easy | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Microeconomics | Quite easy | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
| US Comparative Government | Quite easy | 4.8 | 5.1 | 4.4 |
| Macroeconomics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Statistics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Art History | Quite easy | 4.9 | 6.5 | 5.7 |
| Seminar | Quite easy | 5.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 |
Exam Pass Rates
Exam pass rates vary more than you might expect among the easiest AP classes, so they’re worth considering alongside difficulty and workload. According to College Board’s 2025 AP score distributions, AP Seminar leads at 88% of students scoring a 3 or higher on the exam while Statistics sits at 60%, meaning two courses at a similar level of difficulty can have very different outcomes.
All AP Classes Ranked by Difficulty [2026]
And here is a list of every AP class ranked by difficulty according to the same data.
| AP class | Assessment | Difficulty | Time | Self study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Principles | Very easy | 2.9 | 3.3 | 3.7 |
| Psychology | Very easy | 3.5 | 4.7 | 3.4 |
| Chinese Language | Very easy* | 3.9 | 3.4 | 4.3 |
| Computer Science A | Quite easy | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| Environmental Science | Quite easy | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Human Geography | Quite easy | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.5 |
| US Government & Politics | Quite easy | 4.4 | 4.8 | 4.6 |
| Microeconomics | Quite easy | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.1 |
| US Comparative Government | Quite easy | 4.8 | 5.1 | 4.4 |
| Macroeconomics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Statistics | Quite easy | 4.9 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Art History | Quite easy | 4.9 | 6.5 | 5.7 |
| Seminar | Quite easy | 5.0 | 6.7 | 7.1 |
| Spanish Language | Moderate | 5.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 |
| English Language | Moderate | 5.2 | 5.1 | 4.6 |
| Calculus AB | Moderate | 5.6 | 5.5 | 6.2 |
| Calculus BC | Moderate | 5.6 | 5.5 | 6.2 |
| World History | Quite hard | 6.0 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| US History | Quite hard | 6.0 | 7.3 | 6.3 |
| Music Theory | Quite hard | 6.4 | 4.9 | 6.5 |
| European History | Quite hard | 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 1 | Very hard | 7.2 | 5.9 | 7.4 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | Very hard | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.9 |
| Physics C: E&M | Very hard | 8.0 | 7.1 | 7.8 |
| Chemistry | Very hard | 7.4 | 7.0 | 8.4 |
* Chinese Language is rated very easy but significantly harder for non-native speakers.
How Do AP Classes Affect College Admissions?
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 test-optional, then taking an AP class shows college admissions officers that you can succeed at a standardized academic test.
Picking the right APs is about more than difficulty ratings. It’s about building a transcript that shows colleges you’re ready. See how admissions officers actually evaluate course rigor in our guide to academic rigor and what it means for college admissions.
How Hard Is AP Statistics?
AP Stats is manageable for most students, especially those with a solid math foundation. It’s important to note, though, that the exam averages (only 60% of test-takers scored a 3 or higher in 2025) suggest the test is harder than the class.
How Hard Is AP Psychology?
AP Psych is considered one of the easiest AP courses. It has a low difficulty rating and comparatively low time commitment. It also has high exam pass rates. AP Psych is a great class for students who want to test the AP waters and demonstrate academic rigor without significantly increasing their workload.
How Hard Is AP Physics?
The difficulty level of AP Physics depends entirely on which class you take. Physics 1 is moderately challenging, but Physics C: E&M has one of the hardest AP exams offered. These courses are for students with strong a strong background in math.
How Hard Is AP Calculus?
There are two AP Calc classes, AP Calc AB and AP Calc BC, both of which are moderately difficulty. That said, BC students tend to score higher on the exam (79% scored a 3 or higher in 2025 compared to 64% for AB), but that’s largely because BC attracts students who are already strong in math.
How Hard Is AP Biology?
AP Bio is one of the more demanding science APs, with a significant time commitment and a large range of content covered. HelloCollege counselors generally advise students against taking two AP science courses in the same year given the combined lab work and study time each course demands.
Easiest AP Classes FAQs
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.
What is the hardest AP class?
Physics C: E&M is considered the hardest AP class.
Conclusion
Class selection is one of the first decisions a student makes that can influence their college applications. If you want help building a course load that reflects your strengths and aligns with your target schools, HelloCollege’s college admissions counselors will help turn your AP strategy into a stronger application strategy.
