Hardest AP Classes: What Are They And Should You Take Them?

 By Ameer Drane (College Essay Guy Blog)

Challenging. Difficult. Hard. You know what those words have in common? They’re all subjective. So, when you ask, “What are the hardest AP classes?” we have to be honest and give you what might seem like a boring answer: it depends. What’s challenging for you might be a piece of cake for your classmate. 

So, here’s a better question: “How do I choose or avoid (depending on my goals) the AP classes that will be the most difficult for me?” And although we can’t give you the answer (only you can do that!), we can help point you in the right direction by sharing information on: 

• The 2022 AP exam pass rates

• Student reviews of the hardest AP classes and exams

• What to consider when evaluating the difficulty of an AP class

• Answers to common questions about how to choose the best AP classes for you

And those are exactly the topics we’ll cover in this blog post. So, let’s jump right in! 

Hardest AP exams by pass rate

Heads up: AP exam pass rates aren’t a conclusive way to determine the difficulty of an AP class. But exam scores can give you an idea of which AP classes might have challenging material to master. So, we’ll start there.

According to data from the College Board (the organization behind AP curriculums and exams), the following exams had below a 60% pass rate (meaning below a score of 3):

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Chemistry

• AP Economics—Macro

• AP Economics—Micro

• AP English Language

• AP Environmental Science

• AP European History

• AP Government & Politics United States

• AP Human Geography

• AP Latin

• AP Physics 1

• AP Psychology

• AP United States History

Is an exam pass rate a direct reflection of the difficulty of an AP class? Not necessarily. If you take a look at our post on the easiest AP classes, you’ll see students frequently say that AP Environmental Science is ‘easy’ despite the exam pass rate for this class being one of the lowest. 

What causes this discrepancy? We’ll answer that question in a minute. 

But first, we’ll indulge your curiosity for data. Here’s a full list of all the 2o22 AP exam pass rate percentages and median scores.

Student Score Distributions for May 2022 AP Exams

AP Subject	Pass Rate (Exam Score of 3+)	Median Score
AP Art & Design: Drawing	88.3%	3.54
AP Art & Design: 2-D	86.6%	3.43
AP Art & Design: 3-D	73.6%	3.12
AP Art History	61.5%	2.99
AP Biology	67.9%	3.11
AP Calculus AB	55.7%	2.91
AP Calculus BC	76.9%	3.68
AP Chemistry	54%	2.73
AP Chinese Language	86.9%	3.97
AP Computer Science A	67.5%	3.2
AP Computer Science Principles	63.5%	2.91
AP Economics - Macro	51.8%	2.71
AP Economics - Micro	59%	2.93
AP English Language	55.7%	2.83
AP English Literature	77.9%	3.31
AP Environmental Science	53.8%	2.79
AP European History	58.9%	2.95
AP French Language	71.6%	3.16
AP German Language	65.5%	3.13
AP Government & Politics Comparative	70.5%	3.14
AP Government & Politics United States	48.6%	2.58
AP Human Geography	53.2%	2.7
AP Italian Language	70.5%	3.26
AP Japanese Language	75.5%	3.65
AP Latin	57%	2.77
AP Music Theory	61.9%	3.03
AP Physics 1	43.3%	2.47
AP Physics 2	69.7%	3.14
AP Physics C E&M	69.4%	3.44
AP Physics C Mechanics	73.4%	3.41
AP Psychology	58.3%	2.71
AP Research	82.7%	3.3
AP Seminar	82.6%	3.19
AP Spanish Language	81.7%	3.54
AP Spanish Literature	64.2%	2.91
AP Statistics	60.5%	2.89
AP United States History	48.2%	2.57
How to determine which AP classes will be “hard” for you What may be challenging for one person may be easy for another. However, some key considerations include the following: How much you already know about the subject  Whether it's AP Art History or AP Statistics, if you've never studied the material before, then it's likely to be a challenge. Now, this doesn't mean you can't excel in the class—it simply means that you will have to put in extra time and effort. But if you have prior exposure to the material, you already have an advantage.  For example, few students will mention AP Japanese Language as one of the hardest AP classes. And you might even think the class is easy since the exam pass rate is 75.5%. But if you have never studied Japanese, you'll probably find it at least a tad more challenging than, say, AP English Literature. It's also important to note that the exam pass rates and student reviews for AP language classes can be misleading. Why? Some students are native speakers of these languages. Similarly, some students have exposure to the language outside the classroom. That's why, if you remove those students from the data, the exam pass rate for AP Japanese Language drops from 75.5% to 53.5%. A similar drop occurs for nearly all the other AP language exams. How interested you are in the subject  If you find a class boring, it's going to be much more challenging to stick with it and learn the material well than if you are genuinely interested in the subject. On the other hand, a tough yet interesting course could become the easiest AP class for you to give your best effort. For example, if you're interested in the physical sciences, a class like AP Chemistry could be one of your favorite classes—even if your classmates think the course is brutal. Similarly, you might find a class like AP Government & Politics Comparative difficult because the material bores you to tears—even if your classmates think the course is easy. How well your teacher covers the AP curriculum  A good teacher will have a deep understanding of the content and curriculum of the course and also effectively convey the material in a way that is engaging and understandable. This can significantly affect how well you understand the material and perform on the exam. The opposite is also true. A bad teacher can make even the “easiest” AP class feel frustrating and overwhelming, especially if they lack effective teaching strategies to help you grasp and retain complex concepts. How many AP classes should I take? There is no definite answer for how many AP classes you should take. The decision should come down to your individual goals, strengths, and interests.(Side note: some schools are even dropping AP classes entirely, and others have restrictions on whether or how many AP classes students can take.) Still, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Before deciding on any course load, you should ensure you fully understand the requirements and expectations of each AP class you’re considering. Will you have the time and energy to commit fully to multiple AP classes? If not, starting with one or two AP classes or exploring ways to improve your time management skills is best.  You’ll also want to consider the competitiveness of the colleges you’re applying to. AP classes can help demonstrate to admissions officers that you can handle a challenging college course load.  For some students, one or two AP classes may be sufficient to demonstrate their academic abilities and readiness for college-level coursework. However, other students may find they thrive with a rigorous class schedule and would benefit from taking more AP classes.  Which AP classes should I take? Ultimately, it's important to be thoughtful and strategic when choosing AP classes. You should consider your interests and strengths, not just the potential benefits for your college applications. For example, if you're interested in art, you might consider taking AP Art History or one of the AP Art & Design classes. Similarly, suppose you excel in math and science. In that case, you may benefit from taking AP Physics 1 or AP Calculus BC—even if students generally consider these classes to be two of the hardest AP classes. You should also consider which classes will support your intended major on college applications. For example, if you plan on applying as a pre-med student, consider taking AP Biology or AP Chemistry classes. College admissions will view your participation in these classes as an indication of your academic interests and aptitude, which can help set you apart from other applicants. Can I self-study for AP exams? While it is possible to self-study for AP exams, this can be challenging. To successfully self-study for AP exams, you need to be highly motivated and disciplined to stay on track with the curriculum. You’ll also need to be able to juggle self-study with your other academic and extracurricular commitments. How AP grades and test scores affect college admissions Many colleges pay special attention to the difficulty of your high school course load. For example, if you look at the MIT admissions requirements, you'll see they regard the rigor of your high school coursework as "Very Important." Why is course rigor so important? Because it shows admissions you’re willing and capable of managing a demanding college class schedule.   So, if you’re considering applying to schools with highly competitive admissions like MIT, you should take at least a few AP classes. Of course, you can also demonstrate academic rigor through other means, such as taking college-level classes online or at a local community college. Still, the benefit of AP classes is that their rigor is highly regarded and respected by admissions officers across college campuses. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of applying to colleges with less competitive admissions, AP classes might not be as important. However, the other benefit of taking AP classes is that you may be able to receive college credit if you receive a passing grade on the AP exam. Policies for assigning credit for AP exam scores vary from college to college. But, if you attend a college that gives credit for passing AP exams, you’ll begin college with a head start toward graduation.  Final thoughts There’s no way of creating a universal list of the easiest or hardest AP classes. There are too many subjective factors to consider. Instead, use what you’ve learned here to pick the AP classes you’re most interested in that also support your college applications.  Also, remember that AP classes aren’t the only way to prepare for college applications! Make sure to also focus on things like writing exceptional application essays, picking the best teachers to write your recommendation letters, and excelling in your extracurricular activities.  If you need support with any of that, check out our College Application Hub! There, you’ll find free resources and guides that walk you through the entire college application process. Special thanks to Ameer Drane for writing this blog post.

How many AP classes should I take?

They're not required. But if you want your transcript to stand out to college admissions officers, AP classes are definitely a good idea. Of course, that's only true if you take AP classes that you can get good grades in.

But what are AP classes? Are they the same as college classes? Do you have to take an AP class to take an AP exam? If AP classes are not required to apply for college, why consider taking them? And, if you do, how many should you take?

Good questions! And, in this blog post, we're sharing all the information you need to determine whether one, two, several, or none is the right number of AP courses for you.

Sound good? Good. Let's get started!

What are AP classes?

AP classes, or Advanced Placement classes, are advanced-level subject courses that give high school students the opportunity to challenge themselves by taking classes with a rigor similar to college classes.

The College Board (the organization behind the SAT) is responsible for designing the AP curriculum and overseeing the exams given every year in May to students worldwide.

Your school likely won't offer every AP class that's available. But here's the full list of AP courses currently offered by the College Board.

Arts

• AP 2-D Art and Design

• AP 3-D Art and Design

• AP Drawing

• AP Art History

• AP Music Theory

English

• AP English Language and Composition

• AP English Literature and Composition

History and Social Sciences

• AP Comparative Government and Politics

• AP European History

• AP Human Geography

• AP Macroeconomics

• AP Microeconomics

• AP Psychology

• AP United States Government and Politics

• AP United States History

• AP World History: Modern

Math and Computer Science

• AP Precalculus (New for 2023-24)

• AP Computer Science A

• AP Computer Science Principles

• AP Calculus AB

• AP Calculus BC

• AP Statistics

Sciences

• AP Biology

• AP Chemistry

• AP Environmental Science

• AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

• AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based

• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

• AP Physics C: Mechanics

World Languages and Cultures

• AP Chinese Language and Culture

• AP French Language and Culture

• AP German Language and Culture

• AP Italian Language and Culture

• AP Japanese Language and Culture

• AP Latin

• AP Spanish Language and Culture

• AP Spanish Literature and Culture

There are also the AP Seminar and AP Research courses if you enroll in the AP Capstone Diploma Program.

Should I take AP classes?

The short answer: more selective colleges generally care about AP classes. So, even though you don't have to take AP classes to apply for college, depending on your college list, you probably still should (but a heads up that AP policy varies from school to school—some schools allow students to take anything they want, while others have various rules and restrictions, and some schools have chosen to drop AP classes entirely). It's usually a good idea to discuss what fits you best with an advisor or counselor at your school.

The more detailed answer involves several factors to consider:

Show college admissions you can excel in challenging courses

The “rigor” of your high school coursework is one of the most important factors that college admissions officers consider when reviewing your college applications. For example, look at the MIT admissions requirements or UCLA admissions requirements: you'll see both colleges believe the rigor of your secondary school record to be "very important."

Why do colleges care so much about rigor? Because if you can do well in rigorous classes while in high school, college admissions officers feel more confident that you can succeed in college. The more challenging courses you've taken, the better. So, if your school offers several AP courses and you choose to take none, you may be at a disadvantage compared to other students who have taken AP classes. But note that if your school doesn’t offer any AP courses, you will not be expected to take them. (Side note: if that’s the case, it may be useful to clarify in your Additional Info section)

Show fit for your intended major or pre-professional programs

AP classes are also a great way to demonstrate your interest in whatever subject you list as your intended major on your college applications. For example, let's say you want to enter a pre-med program or BS/MD program and major in Biology. If you take AP Biology and do well on the AP exam, college admissions will believe you have a strong foundation in Biology and that you're more likely to be able to handle the challenging coursework required for a pre-med student.

Develop college-level academic skills

Many students worry about whether they'll be able to handle the increased expectations and workload of college classes. AP classes can help you develop the time management and study skills you'll need in college. AP classes also give you the opportunity to build your critical thinking and analytical skills and deepen your understanding of complex content and concepts.

Bonus: sometimes, college credit

AP classes also offer the opportunity to take an exam at the end of the course, which can earn you college credit or advanced placement in some programs. But the exact score and requirements for college credit will vary depending on the school and program. Typically, you'll need to score a 3 or higher on the exam to receive college credit.

Some colleges don't offer any credit for AP classes but will use your scores to place you in higher-level courses or exempt you from certain requirements. For example, if you take an AP English course and score high enough on the exam, you may be able to earn college credit or skip a lower-level writing course. Because things vary from school to school, you’ll want to double check as you build your college list.

What are AP exams?

AP exams test you on the material you learned over the course of your AP classes. Each exam typically lasts 2-3 hours and can include multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions.

When are AP exams?

AP exams are offered once per year during May and June, typically lasting for two to three weeks. You can find the most recent exam date schedule here.

Can I self-study for an AP exam?

Yes. You can self-study for an AP exam even if you haven't taken the AP class. Self-study can be a great option if your school doesn't offer any AP classes or doesn't offer an AP subject that you're interested in. It's also a good choice if you already have a strong background in a particular subject.

The biggest issue with self-study for an AP exam is that you might have to learn a lot of complex material on your own in addition to the rest of your high school coursework. And self-studying is not a good idea if it will cause your grades to slip.

If you do decide to self-study, it's also essential to use an official AP curriculum or test practice book to guide your studies. Why? AP exams may expect you to answer the questions in a particular way based on what's taught in the standard AP curriculum.

A great alternative to self-study is to take an online AP prep course. These courses often include instructional videos, practice exams, and study guides tailored specifically to each AP subject. 

We don't have any official recommendations for these online courses. But here are two examples of free and paid options:

• Free online AP course: edX Online AP Courses

• Paid online AP course: Northwestern's CTD’s Online AP® program

Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The right number of AP classes for you will depend on various factors, such as your academic strengths, study habits, learning style, and college list.

Some things to consider include:

• Can you handle the increased workload of AP classes?

• Do you have good study habits and time management skills that will allow you to succeed in AP classes and on exams?

No matter whether you take AP courses, or how many, the most important thing is to choose the classes that are right for you and work hard to excel in them!

Another factor to consider, as mentioned earlier, relates to your college list: Are you hoping to apply to highly selective (aka “highly rejective”) schools?

If not, then you can mostly focus on the factors just mentioned.

But if so, those schools will consider the “rigor” of your course load—did you generally take the toughest classes available to you? If you maintained a high GPA but did so by avoiding the harder courses your school offers, that will tend to hurt your chances with selective schools.

So… are AP classes worth it?

If you're applying to competitive college programs and have the time and motivation to take on the challenge, AP classes can definitely be worth it. They can help you prepare for college, build your academic confidence, and give you a leg up on admissions.

On the other hand, if you're struggling to balance schoolwork with other commitments or are simply not interested in AP courses, there's no need to feel pressured to take them. There are plenty of other ways you can prepare for college.

Preparing to take an AP exam soon? Check out these resources:

• How to Create the Ultimate Study Schedule 

• 25 Practical Ways to Reduce Testing Anxiety

College Admission in 2022 - Guidance for the Class of 2023

 

By Matt Musico

College admissions has changed significantly in recent years due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. Different areas of college admissions have been impacted in various ways. In this article, we’ll discuss how the landscape currently looks at selective colleges in the United States.

Test Optional Remains a Fixture. How Should You Handle It?

Many colleges dropping test requirements for at least one recruitment cycle during the pandemic has been one of the biggest changes in college admissions. While there have been a small number of colleges that went back to requiring an SAT or ACT from applicants during the 2021-22 academic year – such as the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech – test-optional admissions are now common practice.

According to Fairtest.org, more than 1,800 colleges and universities didn’t require test scores to apply during the current 2021-22 academic year. It’s looking to be similar for the 2022-23 academic year, too. Fairtest.org is reporting that 1,400-plus schools have already committed to not requiring tests for admission for at least the next recruitment cycle.

The schools that have already committed to not requiring tests for the 2022-23 academic year include several selective schools, like Boston University, Bucknell University, Colgate University, Middlebury College, University of Notre Dame, Stanford University, Tulane University, Tufts University, and the University of Southern California. As we continue creeping closer to the next recruitment cycle, we’ll hear more decisions from institutions about what their intentions are for the 2022-23 academic year if it hasn’t been decided already.

For those who have taken the SAT or ACT, it can be confusing on how to decide whether you should send scores with your application materials. I’ve had this conversation many times over the past two years, and the answer depends on the score and also on the school. In some instances, an SAT score of 1250 would help strengthen an application, but weaken it in other instances depending on the competitiveness of the school. Making this decision is easier by using CollegeData’s tools and resources.

Let’s use Indiana University as an example. If you head to its college profile page on CollegeData and select the admissions tab, you can scroll down to view average test scores. Doing so allows you to see what the middle 50% range is for each section. I advise students that it’s a good idea to submit their scores if they’re in the upper portion of that range. If not, let the rest of your application show why you’re a strong applicant.

If you decide to not submit test scores, don’t think it necessarily puts you at a disadvantage. For the college graduating class of 2025, Tufts reported that half of their applicants and just over 40% of admitted students applied without sending in test scores. Test optional policies are in place to help students – it’s not a secret way to put you into separate buckets when evaluating files.

Competition is Fierce

The global pandemic has created two different situations for college admission offices. There are those who have experienced application surges, and others who are struggling to find students willing to apply. Due to various factors – like the test-optional movement and an inability to see campuses in person, among others – many top US colleges have seen a record number of applicants over the past two years.

A year after receiving nearly 59,000 applications and welcoming its largest class ever, Purdue University has surpassed that number of applications this year. It received more than 46,000 applications by its November 1, 2021 early decision deadline and nearly 54,000 more applications by its January 1, 2022 regular decision deadline.

Tufts received more than 34,000 applications this year, which is a 12% increase from the year prior. Also, Early Restrictive Action applications for the University of Notre Dame saw an increase of nearly 2,000 applicants from the previous year.

While not all selective and Ivy league universities saw an increase in the number of applications received this year, it’s clear that these well-known colleges aren’t having many issues with generating interest. And of course, this means that an already competitive landscape is even more competitive.

It’s imperative to build a balanced college list. There’s nothing wrong with applying to selective schools, but if that’s all your list contains, there’s a lot of uncertainty involved once decisions are released. You’ve worked hard throughout your high school career, and you deserve to have several schools to choose from that you’re excited about during the spring of senior year. Don’t dismiss selective colleges that you love, but also make sure your list is rounded out with non-reach schools that you’d be perfectly happy attending, as well.

AP Tests Could Rise in Importance

Another part of the selective college application process that has changed is SAT Subject tests, which the College Board officially announced would be discontinued in January of 2021. These were typically used for students who wanted to display mastery of a subject, especially since SAT Subject tests reflected high school curricula. It also gave an indication as to how ready a student is to take a college-level course in that specific subject and helped improve a student’s credentials for college admissions.

Now that SAT Subject tests are gone, what can colleges use to help make these determinations? That’s right – AP (Advanced Placement) exams can be an option.

This could especially be the case for those applying via the test optional route. Colleges are looking for as much information as possible to determine a student’s qualifications. Using available AP Test scores is another data point which may help admission offices make that decision. Here’s a statement from Boston College on the topic of reviewing a student’s academic credentials (quote via Carnegie Prep):

'In reviewing applications that do not include standardized test results, the Admission Committee places greater emphasis on other required application credentials including academic performance, rigor of coursework, placement in class, personal statements, recommendations, and co-curricular involvement. Students who wish to further quantify their academic successes are welcome to submit non-required credentials such as Advanced Placement scores, predicted IB scores, or SAT Subject Test results (if previously taken).'

Take note of the first two things mentioned in the above quote: academic performance and rigor of coursework. Regardless of how college admissions change over the years, there’s one thing that won’t: the importance of the grades you earn and the types of classes you take. The best way for an admission office to find out what kind of student you’ll be in college is to look at what kind of student you have been throughout high school.

AP Test scores won’t necessarily become a focal point anytime soon if they rise in importance, but their role in the process is changing. In the past, having scores to report certainly seemed like a bonus, but with SAT Subject Tests no longer available, AP Tests could be the logical substitute.

Use Interviews to Your Advantage

With application numbers rising and the test-optional movement making the other parts of your academic profile even more important, finding other ways to stand out is crucial. One of the ways you can do that is by demonstrating authentic interest in the colleges on your list, with participating in an interview being a great way to show that.

Not all selective colleges track demonstrated interest or offer interviews. However, it’d be wise to take advantage of the opportunity to meet with an admission counselor if it’s available. One way to check whether this is an option at the schools you’re considering is to check the profile of that institution on CollegeData. If we use Wake Forest University as an example, you can see by heading to the admissions tab and scrolling down to the “Selection of Students” section that an interview is not only offered, but it’s also an important piece of the puzzle for admissions.

The timing of when these interviews are made available will vary by school. For Wake Forest, it typically opens interview times – both in-person and virtual – to seniors early in the fall. Once it gets past a certain point in the calendar, those opportunities are only available for students who have already applied.

Interviews are great because they allow admissions officers the opportunity to put a face to the name, so to speak. It brings your application to life, and enables admissions officers to gauge how seriously interested you are in their institution. Having a sense of your personality and social fit for campus in addition to your academic and extracurricular qualifications helps an office make a more informed and confident decision on your admission status.

So, if colleges on your list offer interviews, take advantage of the opportunity to show them the type of student they’d be bringing to campus if you’re accepted and decide to enroll.

“Love of Learning” Can Be a Difference-Maker

With such fierce competition for admission, it’s imperative to find a way to stand out. One way to do that is by displaying a “love of learning”, but what does that even mean?

This isn’t something you can fake just to put on a college application – it needs to be authentic. If you feel certain about what you’d like to study in college, it’s an opportunity to show admission offices you’re serious about that field. For example, if you’re interested in journalism, it’d be great to showcase writing you’ve done for the school newspaper or other publication. If you’re interested in the medical field, it’d be helpful to shadow professionals and do volunteering to be immersed in the environment.

Even if you’re undecided, it’s an opportunity to find an activity or learn more about a subject simply because you want to. Colleges love it when applicants show a desire to challenge themselves beyond their high school curriculum in an activity or subject they’re intrigued by. There are plenty of qualified applicants who don’t gain admission to a top college. The application evaluation doesn’t only consist of a formula that counselors plug numbers into – it’s also a very human process that considers lots of factors beyond a student’s academic qualifications. Showing them a passion outside the classroom can make a difference.

There are many things you can’t control regarding the current landscape of selective college admissions. However, there are plenty of things you can control, such as your grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, and the college list you create. Controlling those things is what will be the key to putting together a convincing application to be evaluated, so don’t lose sight of what’s within your power.

Matt Musico, a current college counselor at Collegewise is a freelance writer for CollegeData. He has worked in higher education for the better part of a decade. Half of that time was spent working in an undergraduate admissions office, while the other half has involved working with high school families as a private college counselor.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to CollegeData, 1st Financial Bank USA or any other person or entity. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this article are hereby expressly disclaimed.

Preparing for AP Exams

We are excited to let you know about the 2022 edition of The Princeton Review’s AP Week! From April 3rd through April 8th, we will host information sessions discussing everything students need to know about AP Exams, strategies for the tests, and the role of academics in college admissions.   You can find links to register for every event below....   Advanced Placement 101 Sunday, April 3 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM MT/4 PM PT   Advanced Placement 101 Monday, April 4 10 PM ET/9 PM CT/8 PM MT/7 PM PT   AP US History Strategy Session Tuesday, April 5 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM MT/4 PM PT   AP Biology Strategy Session Wednesday, April 6 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM MT/4 PM PT   AP English Language Strategy Session Thursday, April 7 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM MT/4 PM PT   High School Academics and College Admissions Friday, April 8 7 PM ET/6 PM CT/5 PM MT/4 PM PT           The Princeton Review on YouTube   The Princeton Review's YouTube channel provides advice on standardized tests and updates on the world of college admissions. To make sure you learn about the latest developments, check it out and subscribe.