Advanced Placement (AP) courses offer a strong chance for high schoolers to push their limits, boost their college apps, and win actual college credit before graduation. Yet, these classes can be tough, and the workload isn’t the same across the board. A few AP classes have lighter pain degrees, called “gateway” offerings; the majority boast heavy reading, tricky problems, or high-stakes tests. Mapping hardest classes and winning habits can steer a student’s course selection in the right direction.
This guide ranks AP courses by tough factor, highlights their hardest parts, and serves up winning advice for all AP classes.
Why AP Classes Matter
Knowing the upside can help kids and parents get on the same page. Here’s what AP courses bring:
- College Readiness: AP course speed and weight mirror typical college classes, prepping kids for the collegiate bounce.
- Application Strength: Schools love a transcript dotted with advanced courses—and an AP badge.
- College Credit: A solid AP exam score can convert to college credit, shrinking both years and bills once on campus.
Mix and match, right? Be sure to dive into the rankings and strategies coming up.
- Skill Development: AP courses teach more than just facts. Students learn how to manage their schedules, think deeply about problems, and write clearly—even when time is short.
Those skills pay off, but only if students pick the right classes and get ready for the work involved.
AP Classes Ranked by Difficulty
Difficulty feels different for each student, but nationwide passing rates, homework estimates, and student comments give a rough idea of which AP classes challenge most and which do.
Most Difficult AP Courses
- AP Chemistry
- Students juggle challenging labs, complicated readings, and tricky math problems.
- A good grip on algebra and chemistry basics is a must.
- The exam tests memory and the ability to solve problems using concepts.
- AP Physics C: Calculus-Based (Mechanics & E&M)
- Calculus is part of the core, making this one of the hardest for students who haven’t already taken advanced math.
- Students work with equations, solve problems, and apply math to real-world situations.
- A good pick for students aiming for engineering or another STEM field.
- AP U.S. History (APUSH)
- Expect a lot of reading, more essays, and document-based questions (DBQs).
- Memorizing names, dates, and themes is important, but students must also analyze and connect ideas.
- AP Biology
- The curriculum ranges from how molecules work to the flow of energy in ecosystems.
- Students memorize and analyze, plus they complete hands-on lab work.
- AP English Literature and Composition
- Focuses on deep literary analysis, essay writing, and critical interpretation.
- Reading lists are long and writing expectations are high.
Moderate Challenge: Still Tough but More Feasible
These courses are still rigorous but often considered more manageable, especially if you have an interest in the subject:
- AP Psychology: If you memorize the brain regions and their functions, you’ll be fine. The key is quantity of new terms.
- AP Statistics: More real-world than algebra. You calculate averages and percentages you’ll actually use, so it feels useful and doable.
- AP World History: Tons of chapters to read, but the class really boosts your ability to write a paper that has a thesis and sticks to it.
- AP Government and Politics: The Constitution, landmark cases, and a handful of foundational texts. The exam folks basically ask you to name these and describe them each year, so your notes are your best study buddy.
More Accessible AP Courses
While “easy” is relative, these AP classes tend to have higher pass rates and lighter workloads:
- AP Environmental Science: You’ll touch on pretty much every ecosystem and human impact, but you skim rather than dive, making it lighter.
- AP Human Geography: Lists, maps, and terms like “urban sprawl.” If you memorize, you pass without a panic attack.
- AP Computer Science Principles: Complete a video game level and write a process paper. Coding is part of the fun, but the emphasis is really on the plan, so you don’t start drowning in syntax the first day.
How to Decide Which AP Classes to Take
Picking the right AP classes can be tricky, but it shouldn’t feel impossible. It’s not just about snagging the most prestigious ones; it’s about staying both challenged and engaged. Follow these pointers to find the classes that fit your needs best:
- Your Strengths: Spend a moment thinking about the subjects where you shine. Math wizards might find AP Calculus or AP Physics easier than diving into AP English Literature, which readings may not click as quickly.
- Your Goals: Base your choices on where you plan to go. Students eyeing an engineering degree should focus on AP Chem, AP Bio, and AP Calculus. If your sights are set on the social sciences, lean toward AP U.S. History and AP English.
- Your Schedule: Loading your calendar with three or four APs is tempting but can backfire. Pair a tough class with something you enjoy or find easier, and leave some breathing space.
- College Credit Policies: Different schools grant credit for different scores. Check your top schools’ AP credit charts, so you pick the courses that work during your college application.
For a detailed breakdown of how AP courses stack up, check out this resource on AP classes ranked by difficulty.
Strategies to Succeed in Any AP Class
Once you’ve chosen the right classes, you still need to ace them. Follow these tested strategies to pave your path to a successful AP experience:
1. Stay Ahead of the Reading
AP classes don’t dawdle. Skim upcoming chapters the day before to grasp big ideas, so you can ask smart questions and keep up with your assignments.
2. Master Time Management
When you’re taking several AP classes, you’re juggling daily reading, science labs, and essays. A planner, calendar app, or color-coded schedule is your best friend. Block out time for each class and stick to it so nothing sneaks up and derails your week.
3. Practice With Old Exams
AP tests don’t change their core look—same types of questions, same point scales. Older exams are free mood swings. Set a timer, treat it like the real deal, and familiarize yourself with the pacing so the real day feels like another practice round.
4. Form Study Groups
Two heads are better than one, and four or five are even better. A study group not only makes reviewing content more fun, it also helps you see what another friend understands and what you haven’t quite gotten yet. Teach each other, quiz each other, and snack while you’re at it.
5. Seek Extra Help
Get help while you can. If you don’t understand a concept, ask a teacher for a quick explanation, check for a lunchtime review, or search for an online video that walks you through that tricky topic. Waiting another week makes it a snowball.
6. Focus on Free-Response Writing
AP essays and free-response questions are often what boost your overall score. Practice crafting a straight-to-the-point answer in 10-15 minutes once a week so you know what to trim, what to elaborate on, and how to organize a killer response—fast.
Balancing Rigor With Well-Being
AP courses feel intense, and it’s tempting to pack on six when your friend is taking six. Colleges look at the flavor and the GPA, not the number of courses. It’s wiser to ace three APs and a top report card than to struggle and breathe resentment.
Make time for a band practice, a video game round, and enough sleep. Admissions want to see that you can rise to the AP challenge while still being the same balanced you.
Final Thoughts
Taking an Advanced Placement course is one of the best ways to sharpen your skills and gear up for college, but the right course can make all the difference. Some APs will stretch your limits, while others will play to your strongest subjects.
You can conquer AP courses by ranking them by difficulty, choosing the best courses for your strengths, and keeping smart study habits at the top of your priorities. AP score isn’t about piling on more classes for the sake of bragging rights; it’s about picking the challenges you can commit to and tackling them with grit.
As you pick your first AP or finalize your senior-year courses, consider your entire workload and the skills you want to sharpen. The right course can impress colleges and build your confidence. When you align your goals with your schedule and lean on teachers and classmates for support, an AP class can serve as the perfect runway for your college journey and beyond.
