How to Choose the Right AP Classes for You

TL;DR

Choose AP classes based on YOUR interests and strengths, not what looks impressive. Start with 1-2 in sophomore year, build to 3-5 by senior year, and never sacrifice your GPA or mental health for bragging rights. Quality > quantity.

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The AP Selection Dilemma

Every spring, high school students face the same stressful question: which AP classes should I take next year?

Your friends are comparing lists. Your parents want you to take "the hard ones." Your counselor is throwing around phrases like "course rigor" and "competitive applicant." And you're just trying to figure out if you can handle AP Chemistry without crying every night.

Let me simplify this for you.

The 3 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Any AP

1. Am I Actually Interested in This Subject?

Interest matters more than you think. When you're genuinely curious about a subject, studying feels less like torture and more like... well, interesting reading. You'll engage more in class, do better on assignments, and retain information for the AP exam.

Taking AP Bio because you love science? Great choice. Taking AP Bio because your mom is a doctor? Questionable motivation.

2. Am I Strong Enough in This Area?

AP classes move fast and go deep. You need a solid foundation in the subject before jumping into the AP version.

General guidelines:

• AP English: You should be a strong reader and writer (B+ or higher in honors English)
• AP Math: You should have an A or B in the prerequisite math course
• AP Science: You should be comfortable with the subject and have strong math skills
• AP History: You should be a strong reader who can handle 50+ pages of reading per week
• AP Languages: You should already have 2-3 years of the language

3. Can I Handle the Workload?

AP classes typically require 1-2 hours of homework per night per class. If you're taking 4 APs, that's potentially 4-8 hours of homework daily — on top of your other classes, activities, job, and need for sleep.

Be honest with yourself about your time and energy. It's better to take 3 APs and get A's than 5 APs and get B-'s and C+'s.

AP Classes Ranked by Difficulty (Student Consensus)

Based on pass rates, student surveys, and workload:

Tier 1: More Accessible APs (Good Starting Points)

• AP Psychology — Interesting content, heavy on memorization, high pass rate (~60% score 3+)
• AP Environmental Science — Less rigorous than other science APs, interesting real-world topics
• AP Human Geography — Great intro to AP-level work, manageable content
• AP Computer Science Principles — Accessible even without coding experience
• AP Government & Politics — Shorter content than full history courses

Tier 2: Moderate Difficulty

• AP World History — Lots of reading, but fascinating content. Good for strong readers.
• AP US History (APUSH) — Heavy reading and writing. The DBQ is intense.
• AP English Language — If you write well, this is very doable.
• AP Statistics — Less abstract than calculus, more applicable to real life
• AP Calculus AB — Standard college calc. Doable if you're solid in pre-calc.
• AP Biology — Massive content. Requires strong memorization AND reasoning.
• AP Spanish/French Language — Requires years of prior study

Tier 3: Challenging APs

• AP Chemistry — Math-heavy, concept-dense. Notoriously difficult.
• AP Physics 1 — Conceptual and challenging. Low pass rates (~45% score 3+)
• AP English Literature — Requires advanced literary analysis skills
• AP European History — Dense content, long essays
• AP Calculus BC — Covers AB content plus additional topics
• AP Physics C — Requires calculus. Essentially a college physics course.
• AP Computer Science A — Requires actual programming skills (Java)

Tier 4: The Hardest APs

• AP Physics C: E&M — The hardest physics course with calculus-based electromagnetism
• AP Chemistry + AP Physics C together — Don't do this unless you're a masochist

Remember: These rankings are generalizations. YOUR experience depends on your strengths, your teacher, and your study habits.

How Many APs Should You Take?

By Grade Level:

Grade	Recommended APs	Notes
9th (Freshman)	0-1	Most schools don't offer many to freshmen
10th (Sophomore)	1-2	Test the waters with an "easier" AP
11th (Junior)	2-4	This is the year to show rigor
12th (Senior)	2-4	Don't overdo it — you have apps to write

By College Goal:

• Community college: APs not necessary (but can help you skip courses)
• State university: 3-6 total APs across high school
• Competitive university: 5-8+ total APs, with high grades
• Ivy League / Top 20: 8-12+ APs if available, but quality matters more than quantity

The Absolute Maximum:

If taking one more AP means your GPA drops, your mental health suffers, or you can't do activities you love — it's not worth it. Admissions officers evaluate AP courses in the context of what your school offers and your overall wellbeing.

Which APs Do Colleges Care About Most?

Colleges don't rank APs the way students do. They care about:

1. Core academic APs — English, Math, Science, History, and Foreign Language are valued because they show competence in fundamental academic areas.

2. APs related to your intended major — If you want to study engineering, AP Calculus and AP Physics matter more than AP Art History.

3. Your school's offerings — If your school only offers 5 APs, taking all 5 is impressive. If your school offers 30 APs, taking 5 is less notable.

4. Your performance — A B in AP Chemistry is better than not taking it, but a D in AP Chemistry is a red flag. Take APs you can succeed in.

AP Credit: The Hidden Benefit

One massive advantage of AP classes: college credit. A score of 3-5 on the AP exam can earn you college credit, meaning:

• You might skip introductory courses in college
• You could graduate early (saving thousands in tuition)
• You'll have more room for advanced courses or electives

Check your target colleges' AP credit policies. Some give credit for 3s, others only for 4s and 5s. This affects whether the AP exam is worth the $98 fee.

Building Your AP Schedule

Here's a sample 4-year plan for a student aiming for competitive colleges:

Sophomore year: AP Human Geography + AP Computer Science Principles Junior year: AP English Language + APUSH + AP Biology (or AP Calculus AB) Senior year: AP English Literature + AP Government + AP Statistics (or AP Calculus BC)

Total: 8 APs — rigorous but manageable if you're a strong student.

Adjust based on YOUR interests. If you love science, swap in more science APs. If you love writing, add AP Art History. There's no one-size-fits-all schedule.

When to Say No to an AP

It's okay to decline an AP if:

• You hate the subject (you won't be motivated to study)
• You're already overwhelmed with your current schedule
• The teacher has terrible reviews (teacher quality matters)
• You need the period for something else (a sport, elective, or study hall)
• Your mental health requires a lighter load

Saying no to one AP isn't going to ruin your college chances. Taking too many APs and burning out might.

Get AP Writing Help From Gradily

AP essays, DBQs, and free-response questions require strong writing skills. Gradily can help you practice and improve your academic writing — so you're ready for both AP classes and the AP exams.

[Try Gradily for Free →]

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Your AP Selection Checklist

• Reviewed which APs your school offers
• Identified your strongest subjects
• Checked prerequisites for desired APs
• Talked to students who've taken the class
• Researched the teacher (if possible)
• Considered total workload across all classes
• Checked AP credit policies at target colleges
• Discussed with your counselor
• Made your decision based on YOUR goals, not peer pressure

Choose wisely, work hard, and remember: APs are a tool for your success, not a measure of your worth. 📚