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Advanced Placement (AP)

If you're an advanced student aiming for top colleges, or you're a student who wants to save on tuition by getting college credit in high school, taking Advanced Placement classes is a great option.

However, you might be wondering, "just how many AP classes should I take?" You can save a lot of money and make your transcript pretty impressive with lots of AP classes. However, if you overdo it, you could actually hurt your GPA and lose time for other important activities—like extracurriculars and ACT/SAT studying.

So what's the magic number? We'll look at different factors to help you decide the right amount of AP classes for you.

Why Take AP Classes?

Before we get into the numbers, it's important to remember your reasons for taking AP classes in the first place. This will help you consider your options and make the best choice for your long-term goals.

Taking and passing an AP class and its exam proves you are capable of an intro-level college course. Many colleges will give you credit for higher class standing for passing AP scores. (To find out any college's particular policy, see the database at the AP website .)

AP classes are also a great way to explore classes you might want to take in college—like economics, psychology, or computer science.

Finally, taking AP classes is a great way to challenge yourself and also to show colleges you're taking on the toughest courses available to you.

But take note: the point is not to "collect them all." Colleges will not automatically favor applicants with the most AP courses, especially if they start to drag down your GPA or if you don't pass the exams.

In short, APs can be a huge boost to your college application, but if you take too many, they could actually hurt your chances.

How Many AP Classes Should I Take to Impress Colleges?

One of the most important factors for how many AP classes you should take is the competitiveness of the schools you're interested in applying to.

For Less Selective Colleges and State Schools

For these schools, the number of AP classes you take is up to you and your goals —for example, which classes would you want to get over with in high school so you can focus on harder classes in college? This is because most state schools accept AP classes for credit (again, check the AP database for more info) but don't require them for admission.

You only get credit if you pass the exams, so don't overload yourself with AP classes and spread your studying thin. It's better to get two 4s than four 2s! ( Read all about AP scoring here .)

For More Selective Colleges or State School Honors and Scholarship Programs

For more selective schools—or honors programs and scholarships at state schools— it's important to show you are taking the most challenging courses available to you, which includes AP courses if your school has them. There is no "magic number" of AP courses for the most selective colleges, especially because course availability changes so much from high school to high school.

For example, Harvard College says on their admissions website, " Most of all, we look for students who make the most of their opportunities and the resources available to them , and who are likely to continue to do so throughout their lives … You should demonstrate your proficiency in the areas described below by taking SAT Subject Tests, Advanced Placement tests, and International Baccalaureate tests ."

The University of Pennsylvania's website notes, " We expect that every student who applies to Penn will challenge themselves in high school based on the opportunities offered at their school ... Every high school is different, though, so we will review your school’s profile to best understand the types of courses available to you , your school’s grading scale, and the ways you can challenge yourself with extracurricular or post-secondary activities."

Out on the West Coast, Stanford says, "We expect you to challenge yourself throughout high school and to do very well. The most important credential for evaluating your academic record is the high school transcript. Please know that our evaluation of your application goes beyond any numerical formula. There is no minimum GPA or test score; nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript in order to be admitted to Stanford."

Note that Stanford specifically says there is no certain number of AP courses you should take, but that the transcript is the most important part of the evaluation and that they expect you to challenge yourself.

Translation? If you are going for the most competitive colleges, you should take the toughest core courses available at your school —including AP English Literature and/or Language , Calculus or Statistics (or both!), US , World , or European History , and at least one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics). You should also take APs in non-core subjects that are interesting to you—like Psychology, Economics, or Computer Science.

That said, you won't impress colleges with a laundry list of AP courses, especially if they have no relation to what you want to study, and especially if it drags down your GPA or you don't pass the exams. The goal is to challenge and enrich your high school curriculum, not to spread yourself thin.

So What's the Right Number of AP Classes?

You need to challenge yourself, but not overload your schedule. Also keep in mind your target schedule depends on which type of college you are trying to get into, and the AP availability at your school. As a general rule, you should aim for the following AP class numbers:

Most Selective Schools (Top 20): APs in most or all of the core courses (English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Foreign Language), plus additional AP courses that relate to your goals, future major, or interests. This will end up being between 7 and 12 AP courses.

Selective Schools (Top 100): APs in most core courses, plus one or two additional courses. This will end up being between 4 and 8 AP courses.

Less Selective Schools: APs in some core courses, or in courses related to your anticipated major. This will end up being between 1 and 5 AP courses.

But how do you fit these courses into a four-year high school plan? This is our suggested schedule for a relatively ambitious student:

Freshman Year: Consider taking one or two AP classes that are less demanding and build on skills from middle school, including Environmental Science, Human Geography, or Psychology. In your core courses, take honors classes if possible so you can begin earning prerequisite skills for tougher AP classes down the line.

Sophomore Year: Take one to three AP classes. Consider adding a more challenging AP class, like World History or US History, and one or two less-demanding APs. Continue to take honors courses if possible in your other core classes.

Junior Year: Based on your experience and scores from freshman and sophomore year, start taking APs in core classes, for example AP English, AP Calculus, or AP Biology. Take as many as you can handle without spreading yourself thin, and make sure you will have time to study for the ACT or SAT this year. An Ivy League hopeful might take 3 to 5 AP classes, while if you're aiming for less-selective schools, 2 to 4 would be enough.

Senior Year: Take more APs in core subjects and additional subjects, again being careful not to overburden your schedule and to leave time for college applications. It's not uncommon for applicants to highly selective schools to have as many as 5 or 6 AP classes senior year, but keep your own schedule and limits in mind. Adding one more AP class will not have a huge effect on your college chances at this point, but it could significantly reduce the time you spend on applications and therefore hurt your admission chances.

Be careful about burning yourself out, especially senior year. You will need to devote lots of time and energy to your college apps!

Below is a chart summarizing the above information. And again, these rules aren't hard and fast, as there is no set formula for admission to the most selective schools. The bottom line is to take the most challenging cour se load you can handle while also doing very well academically.

Other Factors to Consider

Your target schedule could also look different if you spend a huge amount of time on one activity, like playing an instrument or doing a sport, speech and debate, or college-level research. This is especially true if you compete or participate at a national level.

When choosing AP classes, prioritize subjects that are genuinely interesting to you and you would like to continue in college before you choose AP classes just for the sake of AP.

Also, think about your grade level and experience with AP classes before signing up. Don't jump into four AP classes your sophomore year if you've never taken them before. Learning how to study for the exams and pacing yourself is tough. This can be hard with just one or two exams, let alone a handful.

Plus, in many subjects you won't be able to acquire the necessary pre-requisites for AP courses until your junior and senior year. For example, AP English is usually taught junior or senior year, most students won't have the pre-requisites for AP Calculus until junior year at least, and for the sciences—Biology, Chemistry, and Physics—most high schools have a recommended sequence that doesn't have students taking the AP courses until sophomore year at the very earliest.

This is why many students begin with courses like AP Human Geography or Psychology in freshman or sophomore year. The exams are comparatively less difficult, and younger students are more likely to have completed prerequisite courses for them.

If you do well on the first exam or exams you take, you can consider taking on more in junior and senior year, but again, be careful about overloading.

Mistakes to Avoid

How do you know if you've overdone it? If you find your grades slipping in non-AP classes or if you're having a hard time keeping up with your usual sports and/or extracurriculars, you might have overloaded yourself.

Don't give into peer pressure—just because you have a friend who has taken 10 AP exams doesn't mean you have to do the same. College applications are considered holistically, so it's important to keep your overall GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and activities intact.

Again, one extra AP class won't make or break your admissions chances, but if it causes your GPA to fall or your performance in extracurriculars to suffer, it could be hurting you.

Make sure you are leaving ample time to study for either the SAT or ACT. Your score on that will have a huge effect on your admissions chances— as well as scholarship eligibility at other schools .

Finally, have back-up plans ready when you sign up for classes. For example, if you start BC Calculus but realize it's too tough, see if it's possible to transfer down to AB Calculus. Also be prepared to switch into an honors or regular classes if an AP class is eating up too much of your life and hurting your GPA.

Talk to your guidance counselor before signing up for AP classes to find out the protocol for changing your schedule mid-year.

Is It Worth It To Self-Study?

Is it possible to study for an AP exam on your own ? Is it worth it? It's actually not uncommon for students to not take an AP class but study on their own and just take the AP exam.

This often happens if a school doesn't offer a more niche AP, like Art History or Latin, or if a certain AP class doesn't fit into your schedule.

Here's the thing: self-studying only works if you are very disciplined. Most students who take AP exams have taken a class for the whole year, and all of the assignments and tests that come with it, to prepare.

Replicating that on your own can be tough, especially if you have a full class schedule and other commitments.

Be prepared to plan ahead to fit a self-studied AP exam into your schedule.

That said, if there is a topic you are really interested in but can't take, and you are committed to self-studying, that kind of initiative and self-discipline is very impressive, especially to colleges—if you pass the exam.

I would wait to self-study until you have already taken at least one AP exam through a class. That way you will have an idea of how much you need to learn and what it takes to study for an AP exam. Also talk to your guidance counselor and ask if they know of any students at the school who have successfully self-studied for an AP exam.

Tips for Self-Studying

#1: Gather your resources . At the very least you should have a prep book for the exam you're taking, but if possible, try to find the following:

• A teacher at your school who can answer questions about the subject if you ever get stuck or lost. For example, if you are self-studying for European History, ask your history teacher if any of the history teachers at your school have background in that area.
• Additional materials, like a textbook for the subject. Your school might have old textbooks lying around, especially if they used to teach the class or some variant of it.
• A private tutor, especially if there is a college or university nearby. (College students who have recently taken AP exams often make great tutors, and often charge less than private companies.)

#2: Develop a year-long strategy. You can't self-study for an AP exam in just a few months. Create monthly content goals. You can do this based on units or sections in your prep book. Remember to schedule time for practice exams in the spring!

#3: Set weekly study times. Build your self-study into your schedule like it's a class or extracurricular activity. By doing a steady amount of work each week, you will have time to learn enough content to do well on the exam and won't face a time-crunch in the spring.

For more tips, check out our guides on how to self-study and the best APs to self-study . Also, make sure studying for this AP exam doesn't replace time you would use to study for the ACT or SAT—those tests ultimately carry much more weight in college admissions.

What's Next?

We mentioned how important the SAT and ACT can be. The first step to studying is deciding which one to take! Find out how with our exclusive guide.

Once you've chosen the SAT or ACT, you will also need to develop a study schedule. Use our guide so you can fit in study time alongside your AP courses and other commitments!

Finally, get tips from our full scorer on the SAT and ACT —even if you're not aiming for 100% perfection, these tips will help you improve your score, both on the SAT/ACT and AP tests.

Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors. In high school, she earned 99th percentile ACT scores as well as 99th percentile scores on SAT subject tests. She also took nine AP classes, earning a perfect score of 5 on seven AP tests. As a graduate of a large public high school who tackled the college admission process largely on her own, she is passionate about helping high school students from different backgrounds get the knowledge they need to be successful in the college admissions process.

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Best AP Classes

AP Classes for College Admissions

If you are a high school student, you have probably heard of AP classes, also known as Advanced Placement classes. Indeed, AP courses are an important part of the college process. However, you may be wondering how important they are and whether you should take AP classes. If you’re already familiar with AP classes, you may have more specific questions, like “How long are AP exams?” or “How do I get college credit for AP courses?”

In this article, we will break down many aspects of AP classes, including the benefits and challenges of the AP curriculum. Specifically, you’ll learn all about:

• What AP courses are
• AP credits and how they work
• Taking AP exams
• The best AP classes for college
• How to choose your AP courses
• The importance of AP classes in college admissions, and more!

Like many parts of the college process, your AP curriculum will depend on individual circumstances. As such, figuring out what is best for you is more important than what other students are doing. Indeed, choosing to take AP classes is a significant decision that will take a lot of time and effort on your part. However, if you’re ready to take on the challenge, the investment is certainly worth it in the long run.

Now, before we start exploring specific AP classes, let’s start by understanding exactly what they are. 

What does AP mean?

Let’s start with the basics : AP stands for Advanced Placement. The AP program was started in 1955 to encourage greater academic rigor on a national scale. The program is now run by the College Board, the same organization that runs the SAT and the PSAT . 

Advanced Placement courses give students the opportunity to take college-level courses. Throughout their AP courses, students prepare to take standardized AP exams. Later, we will discuss when and how to take the AP exams. 

Honors vs AP classes

Since AP classes are more advanced, you might be wondering what the difference is between honors courses and AP courses. Honors courses are generally more difficult than regular classes. However, they may or may not be as challenging as AP classes. Indeed, AP classes are intended to be college-level, meaning that the AP curriculum is designed by college professors. And, some AP exams are graded by college professors as well. 

When compared to honors classes, AP courses tend to be looked upon a bit more favorably by colleges. This is because of their national scale. While honors classes can be deemed “honors” by any high school, AP classes must have their syllabi approved by the College Board . This additional level of standardization means that colleges know with greater certainty what you are studying when you take AP courses. However, this does not mean that you should always take AP courses instead of honors courses. 

Later, we will discuss more about why you might take AP classes and how to decide which AP courses to take. 

What is an AP Class?

On a fundamental level, an AP class is an option for high school students looking to challenge themselves or prepare themselves for college with college-level coursework . However, AP class format and content differ greatly by subject. 

For example, AP Spanish Language and Culture classes will likely involve a lot of speaking. This is to prepare students for the spoken part of the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam. Meanwhile, an AP English Language and Composition class will likely assign a lot of writing. Consequently, on your AP English Language and Composition exam, you will need to write 3 written responses.

AP subjects

Additionally, each high school offers its own number and array of AP courses. Some schools offer nearly all of the 38 available AP courses. Others only offer a few or none at all. 

AP classes are offered in a variety of subjects. This includes the arts, English, history and social sciences, math and computer science, languages and cultures, and sciences. Here are some of the most popular AP classes:

• AP Calculus AB

AP United States History

• AP English Language and Composition

AP Chemistry

Ap statistics.

• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Psychology
• AP Computer Science

Whether or not you can take an AP class in high school will depend on your high school’s requirements. Some schools may require students to pass a prerequisite course or meet another academic requirement to take an AP course. Additionally, AP courses can only be offered if a teacher has been trained in the AP curriculum format. As such, schools may have to alter their AP offerings due to teacher availability. Later, we will discuss more options for what to do if an AP course you want to take is not available at your school. 

How Important Are AP Classes For College Admission?

Without a doubt, AP classes play an important role in college admissions . At top universities, admissions officers are looking for students who are dedicated to their education. On a high school transcript, AP courses show admissions that you have challenged yourself, made the most of the opportunities provided to you, and have the skills and work ethic needed to succeed in a college-level course. 

However, keep in mind that AP courses are difficult. You should only sign up for an AP course if you are truly interested in the subject and know you can do well in it. Just as doing well in an AP course can show academic strength, doing poorly can show academic weakness.

Rather than signing up for AP Statistics simply because your friends are, take time to reflect upon your motivations and find out more about the teacher and what you will learn. You might learn that AP Statistics isn’t necessarily a good fit, but AP Calculus aligns with your goals and strengths.

Lastly, but most importantly, consider the decision to take AP classes within the context of your broader set of commitments. Managing your coursework and other commitments is a key part of maturing and showing that you are ready for the rigor of college. 

Myths about AP Courses

Before we move forward, we’d like to review some of the common myths that exist about AP courses within the context of the college admissions process. Here are a few that we can debunk right away:

Common Myths about AP Classes

“taking more ap courses is always better”.

Contrary to popular belief, more AP classes on your transcript is not always better. Instead, use your AP curriculum as a chance to explore topics of interest and build up your candidate profile. If you don’t think you will do well in your AP courses, it would be smart to opt for easier courses. Like we shared above, the goal is to demonstrate that you can ace difficult courses; biting off more than you can chew will not look good on a transcript. 

“The best AP classes for college are AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, etc…”

While there are some common AP courses that many students take, there aren’t really best AP classes for college. That’s because the best AP classes for college are the ones you will excel in and that you want to take. If taking AP Spanish Language and Culture or AP United States History sounds more interesting than AP English Language and Composition, then go that route. 

“AP courses give you college credit”

Actually, it is AP exam scores that can potentially give you college credit. We’ll dive a lot deeper into how you can gain AP credit in later sections. However, it’s important to understand that simply taking AP courses won’t give you college credits. 

“If my school doesn’t offer an AP curriculum, I can’t take AP courses or AP exams”

In fact, you can take AP classes online, and you can even register for an AP exam without having taken an AP course. Later, we’ll discuss ways in which you can still incorporate AP classes into your curriculum even if they aren’t offered at your school.

Now that we have debunked some common myths, let’s look at how AP courses and AP exams work.

Can you take an AP class online?

For students whose schools do not offer many Advanced Placement courses, there are opportunities to take AP courses online. These courses are typically completed over the summer. However, some providers offer flexible options like recorded classes.

Importantly, students will need to check with their high school to see if AP courses online can count towards their required high school credits. Before signing up for AP courses online, speak with your high school guidance counselor and make sure you are prepared for the time commitment and level of self-guided dedication needed to pass the course.

Taking AP Exams

In general, if a student has done well in an AP course, their instructor will encourage them to complete the corresponding AP exams. AP exams are subject tests based on the material taught in an AP course. They are offered once a year, generally in May. Some colleges offer college credit if you pass certain AP exams. AP exam scores range from 1 to 5. And, a 3 or higher is generally considered passing. 

You can also take an AP exam in a subject even if you did not take the course. Generally, we do not recommend doing so unless you have the time to study all the material independently or already have a strong grasp of the subject. Before signing up for an AP exam, take an AP practice exam online to see how well you can do. 

How long are AP Exams?

At this point, you might be wondering, “How long are AP exams?” AP exams are typically two to three hours long. Most include a combination of multiple-choice questions followed by free-response questions. However, there are different formats for certain AP subjects. For example, rather than a final exam, AP Art and Design students will submit a final portfolio of their work to be scored.

As we mentioned above, AP exams are offered in May. Consequently, AP exam scores are generally released in July. In order to do well on your AP exams, you’ll want to follow these key steps :

Keys Steps for Prepping for AP Exams

1. Start preparing early

Ideally, you will be absorbing material all year long. However, make sure you learn about the format of your AP exams early. Don’t wait until the last second to start studying for the AP exams. You might even consider doing a weekly check-in throughout the course to make sure you’re comprehending the material.  

2. Make a study plan

Most effective study plans include regular chunks of 15-30 minutes of reviewing topics. They also include taking at least 2-3 full-length practice AP exams. When taking practice exams, make sure to recreate the testing environment by setting timers, putting away cell phones, and completing the exam straight through without breaks. This way, your score will more accurately reflect the real test.

3. Practice self-care

In the days leading up to your test, get sufficient sleep and eat well. These habits help your body feel its best so you can think clearly during the exam. It certainly wouldn’t be wise to pull an all-nighter prior to your AP exams. Treat yourself well and trust that your hard work will pay off.

These tips will help you prepare for any AP exam, regardless of the subject matter.

What are AP Subject Tests?

Since they cover specific subjects , you may hear AP exams referred to as AP subject tests. However, “AP subject tests” is just another name for the AP exams. 

With that in mind, you could easily confuse the AP subject tests with SAT subject tests. SAT subject tests, also sometimes called SAT IIs, were once offered by the College Board. However, they were discontinued in 2021. These tests were similar to AP exams in that they were subject-based, but were shorter in length at only one hour long. They were only available for 20 subjects, whereas the AP exams are available in 38 subjects. When compared to the previously available SAT subject tests, more colleges accepted AP exam scores for AP class credit value since they were built around full courses. 

However, simply put, AP subject tests are AP exams. 

Understanding AP Classes and College Credit

Many students interested in AP courses online or at their school wonder, “What is AP credit?” Aside from giving you a boost in the college admissions process, AP scores may also lead to college credit . Additionally, they may allow students to place out of basic college courses and into more advanced ones; this is why they are called Advanced Placement classes. 

Taking AP exams for AP class credit value is a smart approach if you are hoping to graduate from college quickly. However, there are many caveats and limitations to this method. While answering the question, “What is AP credit?” may be simple, the requisites for gaining this college credit vary greatly by school. In the next section, we will dive deeper into the details of AP class credit value. 

Do AP Classes Count As College Credit?

As we shared above, one response to the question, “What is AP credit?” is that you can get college credit for taking AP exams. However, this transfer of credits is not guaranteed. It isn’t enough to simply take and pass an AP course. Most colleges base their AP credits on your AP exam score. While some colleges will provide credit if you receive a score of 3 or higher, many top colleges only provide college credit to students who earn a 4 or 5 on their AP exams. 

For example, if you want to gain AP credit for AP Calculus, you will need to take the AP Calculus exam in May and score at least a 3, if not a 4 or 5. Earning these top scores is not easy; you must prepare months in advance. If you do not receive the AP scores you want, you can retake your AP exams the following May. Keep in mind, however, that you will have to study, or even re-learn, all the AP Calculus content, which can take a substantial amount of time and effort.

Additionally, since you can select which AP exam scores to send to colleges, you could always choose to omit scores that are low, such as a 1 or 2, in an effort to present the most favorable view of your academic record.

How Do AP Credits Work?

A logical follow-up question to “What is AP credit?” would be “How do I earn AP credit?” To earn AP credit, you’ll need to send a score report to your college, showing which exams you’ve taken and the scores you received. Your college will then notify you of any qualifying scores and which courses you’ve received credit for. While some colleges will give you specific course credit, such as Statistics 101 credit for taking AP Statistics, others may only give you general elective credit. 

As we have shared, AP class credit value does not come strictly from taking the class. You must take the AP exam associated with your class. Still, taking the AP class does prepare you for the AP exam and demonstrates academic rigor in the college application process.

Some students decide to take AP courses online or self-study for an AP exam. While this is an option, it only makes sense if you already feel academically strong in a subject and can dedicate several months to studying for the AP exams. For example, perhaps you are a fluent Spanish speaker who wants to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam to get college credit. Even so, you should still study for the exam so you know the format and can ace it.

How AP credits impact college course load

If your AP scores are 3 or higher, you could qualify to gain college credit. At most colleges, you’ll need to satisfy their minimum number of credits, usually 120, to earn your degree. AP credits count towards this total, allowing some students to meet this requirement sooner and even graduate early. 

However, even if a college accepts your AP class credit value, you may wish to retake a class if it is related to your major. For example, let’s say you took AP Biology and AP Chemistry in high school and got a 4 on both the AP Biology and AP Chemistry exams. Once you get to college, you decide to be a pre-med biology major. You would probably still be advised to take biology in college, in order to ensure you are fully prepared for advanced coursework. Additionally, medical schools may want to see that you took biology and chemistry in college rather than just receiving credit for taking the AP Biology and Chemistry exams.

How Many Credits In An AP Class?

Now that we have explored the question, “What is AP credit?” let’s look at how many credits you can earn through your AP curriculum. A typical AP class is worth three credit hours in college, or one semester of a class. However, the exact amount will ultimately depend on the school you are applying to and how they calculate their course credit. You can search by AP course and college for their particular AP credit policy here .

Some schools even give more college credit for higher AP scores. For example, let’s use the example of a student who is going to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. This student has the following AP scores:

• AP Biology: 4 
• AP United States History: 4
• AP Chemistry: 5
• AP Statistics: 4

Rutgers offers an impressive 9 credits for students who score a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam and a 4 on the AP Biology exam. For their AP United States History and AP Statistics scores, this student would earn 3 credits. If we do the math, this student has earned 24 college credits before even stepping foot on campus. This is equivalent to two full-time semesters in college, meaning they could potentially graduate a year early. With the rising cost of college, this could save the student tens of thousands of dollars. Now, we can see how high AP scores can be a game-changer.

In later sections, we will talk about further considerations for taking AP classes, including what to expect in different AP classes and which are the best AP classes for college.  

What to expect from AP Courses

In the previous section, we discussed “what is AP credit?” and how to earn it. Now, let’s discuss what you can expect when you enroll in AP courses.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are the pinnacle of academic rigor in high school education. They offer students a taste of college-level coursework while still within the confines of their secondary education. In recent years, the number of AP courses has expanded to meet the rising demand of students. Before adding one to your schedule, it’s important to understand what to expect from them.

Academic rigor

One key expectation from AP courses is increased rigor. AP courses challenge students with methodologies similar to college classrooms. While enrolled in AP classes, expect an AP curriculum that delves into complex topics, where rote memorization takes a backseat to comprehension and application.

While some AP courses may not require prerequisites, many come with recommended foundational skills. These prerequisites serve as a scaffold, giving students the tools to thrive in AP classes. Whether it’s mastery of algebra for AP Calculus or proficiency in biology for AP Biology,  prerequisites lay the groundwork for tackling the challenges of the AP curriculum.

Beyond increased rigor within AP classes, you can expect a fast-paced environment. AP courses are often accelerated compared to high school classes. With a need to complete the AP curriculum and excel on AP exams, AP courses get through material quickly, leading to heavier workloads and homework.

AP courses offer a unique academic landscape where students are empowered to explore, analyze, and excel. By understanding and embracing the expectations set forth by these AP courses, you can ensure success in your AP classes.

Exploring AP Classes in STEM

By taking Advanced Placement ( AP ) classes in STEM, students can delve deeper into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Whether pursuing a career in medicine, engineering, or another STEM-related field, the AP curriculum in STEM courses offers students the opportunity to engage with complex topics critically.

If you are considering pursuing a major in a STEM field, you might consider enrolling in these AP courses.

AP STEM Classes

Ap calculus ab/bc.

Some of the most widely taken courses, AP Calculus AB and BC cover differential and integral calculus. In AP Calculus AB, students study limits, derivatives, and integrals. AP Calculus BC extends this to include parametric, polar, and vector functions. Both courses focus on problem-solving and real-world applications. AP Calculus AB equates to a first-semester college calculus course, while AP Calculus BC equates to first and second-semester college calculus courses.

Another math course you may want to consider is AP Statistics. AP Statistics is a course that introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. In AP Statistics, students learn about descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, and experimental design. AP Statistics is equivalent to a one-semester college introductory statistics course.

AP Computer Science A/Principles

There are two courses offered in the realm of AP Computer Science. AP Computer Science A focuses on Java programming and object-oriented concepts, while AP Computer Science Principles covers foundational computer science concepts. Both emphasize problem-solving and applying computer science principles. AP Computer Science A is like a first-semester college-level programming course. Alternatively, AP Computer Science Principles is like a one-semester introductory college course in computer science.

AP Biology is a course that covers foundational principles of biology, including cellular structure and function, genetics, evolution, and ecology. In an AP Biology course, students conduct laboratory investigations to explore biological concepts and develop inquiry and analytical skills. AP Biology is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course.

Another science course to consider is AP Chemistry, which covers fundamental concepts of chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics. In AP Chemistry, students conduct laboratory investigations to deepen their understanding of chemicals. AP Chemistry is equivalent to a college introductory chemistry course.

Each of these STEM AP classes offer students a unique journey into the heart of their respective fields. Whether unraveling the mysteries of the natural world in AP Biology or AP Chemistry or mastering the intricacies of mathematical and data analysis in AP Calculus or AP Statistics, STEM AP courses empower students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers in an ever-evolving world.

AP Courses in the Humanities

If your interests lie in studying history, language, literature, philosophy, religion, and the arts, the AP curriculum covered in humanities AP courses may be for you. These AP classes allow students to delve deeply into these subjects, develop critical thinking skills, and engage with complex ideas and perspectives. 

If you are considering a career in the humanities, consider exploring these AP courses.

AP Humanities Classes

Ap english language and composition / literature and composition.

The College Board offers two AP courses in English. In the first course, AP English Language and Composition, students analyze non-fiction texts, including essays, speeches, and articles, and learn to craft persuasive and analytical essays. AP English Language and Composition is equivalent to a first-year college composition course.

On the other hand, AP English Literature and Composition focuses on studying literature, including novels, plays, and poetry. In this AP course, students analyze literary works, explore themes and motifs, and develop literary analysis and interpretation skills. AP English Literature and Composition is equivalent to a first-year college literature course.

One of the most difficulty but popular courses, AP United States History covers the history of the United States from pre-Columbian times to the present day. In AP United States History, students explore key events, themes, and developments in American history. AP United States History is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory United States history course.

AP World History

This course covers the history of civilizations from prehistory to the present day. In this course, students examine major developments, themes, and interactions between different societies and cultures throughout history. AP World History is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory world history course.

AP Art History

Advanced Placement Art History explores art history from prehistoric times to present. In this course, students analyze works of art from different cultures and periods, examine artistic techniques and styles, and explore the significance of art in various historical and cultural contexts. AP Art History is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory art history course.

AP Spanish Language and Culture / Literature and Culture

Two popular AP classes within the College Board’s World Languages and Cultures are AP Spanish Language and Culture and AP Spanish Literature and Culture. While these AP courses have similar names, there are some key differences. 

AP Spanish Language and Culture focuses on developing proficiency in Spanish language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In AP Spanish Language and Culture, students explore Spanish-speaking cultures and develop intercultural communication skills. AP Spanish Language and Culture is equivalent to a fourth-semester college Spanish language course.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture, on the other hand, focuses on studying Spanish literature. In this course, students analyze literary works, explore themes and cultural contexts, and develop literary analysis and interpretation skills. AP Spanish Literature and Culture is equivalent to a third-year college Spanish literature course.

Whether studying world history, analyzing literature, exploring languages and cultures, or examining philosophical concepts, AP courses in the humanities offer a rigorous academic experience. Through these Advanced Placement (AP) courses, students develop analysis, interpretation, and communication skills.

More AP Classes to consider

In addition to the wide range of AP courses provided, here are some additional courses you should consider:

Other AP Classes

AP Language Courses: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Latin

These Advanced Placement (AP) language courses focus on developing proficiency in the target language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students also explore the culture and society of the language they are studying. Completing these AP courses could provide an AP class credit value equivalent to intermediate to advanced levels in college language courses.

AP Physics Courses: Algebra-Based, Electricity and Magnetism, Mechanics

AP Physics courses cover fundamental physics principles. In AP Physics: Algebra-Based, students explore mechanics, motion, forces, and energy. Alternatively, in AP Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, students study electric and magnetic fields, circuits, and electromagnetic waves. In AP Physics: Mechanics, students focus on the principles of motion, forces, and energy. Completing these AP courses could provide an AP class credit value equivalent to a college-level introductory physics course.

AP Economics Courses: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics

AP Economics courses introduce students to the principles of economics. In AP Macroeconomics, students study economic indicators, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and international trade. In AP Microeconomics, students explore supply and demand, market structures, and resource allocation. Completing these AP courses could provide an AP class credit value equivalent to a college-level introductory economics course.

AP Arts Courses: Drawing, Music Theory, 2-D/3-D Art and Design

These Advanced Placement (AP) arts courses focus on developing artistic skills, creativity, and critical thinking in various art forms. In AP Drawing, students create and present a portfolio of their original artwork, demonstrating their proficiency in drawing techniques and artistic expression. On the other hand, in AP Music Theory, students study music theory concepts such as harmony, melody, rhythm, and form and develop musical analysis and composition skills. In AP 2-D/3-D Art and Design, students create and present a portfolio of their original artwork, demonstrating their proficiency in 2-D or 3-D design concepts and techniques. Completing these AP courses could provide an AP class credit value equivalent to a college-level introductory art or music course.

What Are the Easiest AP Classes?

Earlier in our article, we discussed “what is AP credit?” and AP class credit value. In our discussion, we mentioned how passing AP scores are required for college credit , leaving many students to wonder which AP classes are the easiest. One way to measure ease is to look at AP exam scores from past AP exams .  We have gathered data to show you which AP classes have the highest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or above on the AP exams within each College Board subject .

However, while passing AP exams is one way to consider the ease of the course, it’s essential to recognize that the difficulty of an AP class is subjective. You should consider other factors, such as how long are AP exams and which types of students take the AP exams. Furthermore, consider your own strengths as well as the caliber of instruction at your school. 

Easiest AP Classes

AP Drawing (84.8%)

An AP Drawing portfolio includes a sustained investigation and a section on selected works. Students must create a body of work demonstrating their artistic skills, creativity, and ability to communicate visual ideas. Achieving passing AP exam scores on this exam requires a strong portfolio showcasing exploration of a specific theme or concept and technical proficiency in various drawing media.

AP 2D Art & Design (83.6%)

The AP 2D Art & Design portfolio includes a sustained investigation and a selected works section focusing on 2D design principles. The portfolio may use various media such as photography, digital art, collage, and printmaking. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires a cohesive and well-executed portfolio demonstrating mastery of 2D design concepts, creative problem-solving skills, and effective visual communication.

AP English Literature & Composition (77.2%)

Students taking the AP English Literature & Composition exam will be tested on their ability to analyze and write about literary texts effectively. It consists of multiple-choice questions and three essay prompts. Achieving passing AP exam scores on this exam requires close reading skills, critical analysis, and the ability to craft coherent arguments about literature.

AP Comparative Government & Politics (70.8%)

The AP Comparative Government & Politics exam evaluates students’ understanding of comparative political systems and processes. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions covering political institutions, political behavior, and comparative analysis of different countries’ governments. Achieving a score of 3 or above on this exam requires a comprehensive understanding of comparative politics concepts and the ability to analyze and compare political systems.

AP Calculus BC (78.5%)

While the AP Calculus BC exam has a high passing percentage, it is certainly not an easy exam. This exam assesses students’ understanding of differential and integral calculus at an advanced level. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions covering limits, derivatives, integrals, and calculus applications. Achieving passing AP exam scores on this exam requires a strong grasp of calculus concepts and problem-solving skills.

AP Chemistry (75.1%)

For Advance Placement Chemistry, the exam evaluates students’ understanding of fundamental chemical principles. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions covering chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and chemical equilibrium. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires a solid understanding of chemistry concepts, proficiency in laboratory techniques, and data analysis.

AP Physics C: Mechanics (73.5%)

Similarly, the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam assesses students’ understanding of classical mechanics principles, including kinematics, dynamics, and energy. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions requiring students to apply physics principles to solve problems. Achieving a score of 3 or above on this exam requires a strong grasp of physics fundamentals and problem-solving skills.

AP Chinese Language and Culture (88.4%)

The majority of students tend to do well on AP language exams. The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam evaluates students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. It includes multiple-choice questions, a speaking section, and free-response questions that cover topics such as Chinese culture, society, and global issues. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires fluency in spoken and written Chinese, cultural awareness, and effective communication.

AP Spanish Language and Culture (83.8%)

Finally, the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam assesses students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in Spanish. It includes multiple-choice questions, a speaking section, and free-response questions that cover topics such as Spanish-speaking cultures, global issues, and personal experiences. Passing AP exam scores requires proficiency in spoken and written Spanish, cultural competence, and effective communication.

What Are the Hardest AP Classes?

In the previous section, we shared which AP classes have the highest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or above on the AP exams. Now, let’s look at some of the hardest AP exams. To do so, we’ll look at which AP courses have the lowest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or above on the AP exams . 

As previously mentioned, measuring the hardest AP exams is subjective. Here’s a tip: consider reaching out to students at your school to see how prepared they felt by their coursework to tackle the exam. You may also want to reach out to teachers at your school to see how their student’s passing percentages compare to these national statistics.

Hardest AP Classes

AP Music Theory (60.7%)

One of the hardest AP exams within the arts AP courses is the AP Music Theory exam. It includes multiple-choice, free-response, sight-singing, and ear-training components. Achieving passing AP scores requires a solid understanding of music theory fundamentals, proficiency in musical analysis, and the ability to demonstrate musical skills.

AP English Language and Composition (56.1%)

Unlike AP English Lit, AP English Language and Composition is significantly more difficult. This exam evaluates students’ ability to analyze and interpret non-fiction texts, develop arguments, and communicate ideas effectively through writing. It consists of multiple-choice questions and three essay prompts. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires strong reading comprehension skills, critical thinking abilities, and effective writing strategies.

AP United States Government & Politics (49.2%)

Approximately half of students taking the AP United States Government & Politics exam earn a passing score. This challenging test assesses students’ understanding of the U.S. government and political system’s principles, institutions, and processes. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions that require students to apply their knowledge of political concepts, analyze political data, and evaluate government policies and actions. Passing AP scores on this exam requires a comprehensive understanding of American government and politics.

AP US History (47.5%)

Another of the hardest AP exams is the exam for US History, which evaluates students’ knowledge of American history from pre-Columbian times to the present. It consists of multiple-choice, short-answer, and two essay prompts: a document-based question (DBQ) and a long essay question (LEQ). Scoring a 3 or above on this exam necessitates a deep understanding of historical events, trends, and themes and the ability to analyze historical sources.

AP Calculus AB (58%)

You may be surprised to find AP Calculus AB is more challenging for students than BC. The AP Calculus AB exam assesses students’ understanding of differential and integral calculus. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions covering limits, derivatives, integrals, and calculus applications. Passing AP scores on this exam requires proficiency in calculus concepts and problem-solving skills.

AP Environmental Science (53.7%)

Another challenging STEM course is AP Environmental Science. The AP Environmental Science exam evaluates students’ understanding of environmental systems, sustainability, and human environmental impacts. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires a comprehensive understanding of environmental science concepts, the ability to analyze environmental data, and the ability to propose solutions to environmental issues.

AP Physics 1 (45.6%)

This is perhaps the most obviously difficult AP exam. As you can see, AP Physics 1 has the lowest pass rate among the hardest AP exams. This exam assesses students’ understanding of fundamental physics concepts such as mechanics, kinematics, and Newtonian physics. It includes multiple-choice and free-response questions. Passing AP scores on this exam necessitates a strong grasp of physics fundamentals and problem-solving skills.

AP Latin (56.7%)

Lastly, we have AP Latin. The AP Latin exam evaluates students’ Latin language and literature proficiency. It includes multiple-choice questions, a sight-reading passage, and free-response questions that require students to translate and analyze Latin texts and demonstrate their understanding of Latin grammar, vocabulary, and literary devices. Scoring a 3 or above on this exam requires a solid understanding of Latin grammar and syntax and the ability to interpret and analyze Latin texts.

What AP Classes should I take?

Since we’ve learned about some of the easiest and hardest AP exams, you may now be wondering which AP classes you should take. Whether you take AP courses online or in person, which AP classes you should take ultimately depends on you. 

Consider your interests

You should choose AP classes that align with your interests and goals . Choosing AP classes based on personal interests leads to a more rewarding academic experience because you’re more likely to enjoy the AP curriculum. While some students may feel pressured to take specific AP courses for their perceived prestige or to enhance their college applications, it’s essential to prioritize subjects that genuinely captivate you. For instance, enrolling in an AP Physics course solely for its reputation may not be beneficial if you lack enthusiasm for physics. 

Consider your intended college

Different colleges and universities have varying policies regarding which AP courses they accept for college credit. Therefore, research what AP credit is worth at your intended college and prioritize AP courses that align with one’s interests and academic pursuits to ensure a more enriching learning experience.

Consider your strengths

Beyond considering personal interests, students should consider factors such as academic performance and teacher rapport to select the right AP classes. If you excel in a certain subject, such as earning an A in Precalculus, transitioning to an AP Calculus course could be a natural progression. Likewise, positive relationships with instructors can enhance the learning experience. 

Be mindful that AP courses online have their pros and cons. Therefore, before enrolling in AP courses online, understand the setting and whether or not your learning style is conducive to excelling in AP courses online.

Best AP Classes for College

Early, we discussed “what is AP credit?” Now, let’s discuss how to choose the right AP classes for you to set yourself up for a successful academic career. When considering the best AP classes for college , the key is to prioritize genuine interest and academic success. 

First, you should opt for AP courses that align with your passions and strengths to enhance your learning experience and increase your likelihood of achieving high grades. 

Second, consider which AP courses align with your college or career goals. The best AP classes for college should connect with your intended college major. Taking AP courses in subjects relevant to your field of study can provide valuable preparation and a deeper understanding of the material.

Additionally, AP classes that satisfy college prerequisites can help streamline your academic path and potentially save time and money by earning college credit. Think about it: “What is AP credit?” if you can’t apply it to your degree? Don’t forget to consider how long are AP exams, how much they cost, and what it takes to earn a passing score.

Ultimately, when selecting the best AP classes for college, the goal is to balance academic challenge and personal interest. By selecting AP classes that resonate with your passions and align with your future goals, you can make the most of your high school experience and adequately prepare for college and beyond.

AP Classes – Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we’ve explored various topics surrounding AP classes and their significance for college admissions. From answering the question of “what is AP credit?” to looking at AP class credit value, we’ve covered the definition and value of AP classes. In addition, we examined the process of taking AP exams, including how long are AP exams, and delved into the relationship between AP classes and college credit.

We’ve also discussed the many available AP classes, including the option to take AP courses online. We gave you a wide range of AP classes that may suit your needs, from STEM subjects to humanities AP courses. Lastly, we emphasized the best AP classes for college should be guided by your interests, strengths, and future goals .  CollegeAdvisor supports you in making informed choices that will enhance your college applications and academic journey. Whether you’re navigating the world of Advanced Placement for the first time or seeking guidance on other things like self-care , standardized testing , or navigating your junior year , we’re here to help you succeed.

This article was written by senior advisors, Courtney Ng and Ashley Hollins . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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• EXPLORE Random Article

How to Do Well in Multiple AP Classes

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Jai Flicker . Jai Flicker is an Academic Tutor and the CEO and Founder of Lifeworks Learning Center, a San Francisco Bay Area-based business focused on providing tutoring, parental support, test preparation, college essay writing help, and psychoeducational evaluations to help students transform their attitude toward learning. Jai has over 20 years of experience in the education management industry. He holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, San Diego. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 53,595 times.

Taking one AP class is challenging enough, but if you've signed up to take several this upcoming school year, it's going to be even tougher. Be prepared for extra work, developing good time management, and to learn more than you would in any other high school class.

Before the School Year

• Summer homework is also great to brush up on content that you might have learned in an early prerequisite class. For example, most people take Chemistry I before AP Chemistry, so it's good to have a solid foundation on what you've already learned before diving into harder stuff.
• Don't be overwhelmed by the summer homework! It might look like a lot, but if you have a good AP teacher then the homework is very helpful and necessary.

• Review what work you have to do before the school year ends and plan out when you will do it and how long you think it will take. Once you break it down, it will probably look less intimidating.
• Mix up work and play. If you're going to lunch and then the beach one day, commit to reading one chapter in the morning before you leave. Spreading work out like this will make your summer actually feel like summer, not homeschool.

• Barron's, Kaplan, and Princeton Review are a few of the most popular prep books, but some books are better for some subjects than others. Ask around to see which ones may be the best for you and the subjects you're taking.

• Don't forget to enjoy your summer! Don't just work, work, work all summer or else you'll get burned out.

During the School Year

• Remember to study smart (and hard, but especially smart). With so many hard classes, you have to be efficient with your time and that means making every minute as productive as possible.
• Create flashcards to review on the bus, during a free period, etc. It doesn't seem like much, but reinforcing info (especially for classes that require memorizing) is important to learning so much in a quick amount of time.

• Don't pull all nighters either. If all you do is go to school and come home, then maybe you can get away with it for awhile. But if you're dedicated to other activities, especially sports and active things, you'll really drain yourself. A rare all nighter is understandable, but several times a week is inexcusable.

• Allow yourself to hang out with friends every other weekend (if you have other activities during the week that take up your time).
• Use the time during your extra curricular activities to be with friends, like in clubs and sports. There is a lot of socializing in these activities, even if it's not going to movies or the beach.

• Study groups are also helpful for reinforcing things you've already studied. For example, asking and answering questions to review for an upcoming test is more interesting than just shuffling flashcards.

• Vocabulary homework: It helps to use two sources; your textbook, and Quizlet. This is especially true in history classes. Try putting the definition in your own words, because the textbook definition can be long sometimes. For some words, you can put more information so that your definitions don't all look short and copied. For others, use Quizlet because the definitions are usually shorter and more to the point (but put them in your own words!).
• Short answers homework: It helps if you've already read the chapter/taken notes. Go to the page(s) that are related to the question and basically jot it all down (better to type). Once you dump all the information you can reorganize the sentences and words to sound better.
• Math/word problems: Try to see what formulas relate to what information the question gives you. Break the work down so that you don't make mistakes. You can't rush math as well, and doing so may lead to a lower grade and more wasted time trying to fix your mistakes. You can go over your answers that morning or before class starts if you don't have time at home.
• Essays: Decide what you'll talk about in each paragraph and look in your textbook for information that relates to each. Type down all the information. You can spread this out to a chapter a day if that's more convenient. Then go back and make the sentences and words flow better, adding transitions and good vocabulary. Make it concise! Go back into your textbook and double check whether you've missed anything. Get it revised if your teacher takes rough drafts.

Preparing/Taking the AP Exams

• You could cram, at least for one class, for about two weeks, but this will lead to stress and may not be possible if you have stuff to do outside of school. It's much better to spread it out and do a little bit of review every day for a couple of months.
• If you've been struggling with a class all year, start studying for that first. Spread it out to an hour, or even half an hour a day.

• The price should also motivate you to study harder for the exam. If you don't score high enough, all this work (and money!) won't count as any credit. Even if you took the class just for a challenge, it's pretty upsetting if you don't get some tangible credit for it.

• It's very important to not just practice multiple choice/free response, but go over what you did wrong and why. If you know why, there's a much lower chance you won't get the answer wrong again, and that's what practice is all about.
• Take at least one practice exam before the actual one. Time goes by quickly taking the exam, and you'd be surprised how hard it is to cram in 70 questions into 50 minutes for some exams (that's less than a minute per question). You will also feel more prepared once you sit down on exam day, and that will calm your nerves.

• Consider wearing a watch so you can keep track of how well you're doing time-wise.

• Pat yourself on the back for a good year and how well you conquered a new challenge. Then look forward to a nice, relaxing summer!

Expert Q&A

• Learn from your mistakes. Didn't study as much as you should've? Weren't organized and forget your textbook, so you couldn't finish your essay? Don't wallow on these mishaps, everyone makes mistakes and that doesn't make them failures. You only fail when you stop trying. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't be intimidated, you're not the first (nor the last) student to take several AP classes in one. And you will survive! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://blog.prepscholar.com/which-ap-classes-should-you-take-planning-guide
• ↑ Ted Coopersmith, MBA. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 12 May 2021.
• ↑ https://time.com/3964857/ap-summer-homework-tips/
• ↑ https://blog.collegevine.com/6-tips-for-succeeding-in-your-first-ap-ib-class/
• ↑ https://www.ramapo.edu/crw/files/2013/03/20-36.pdf
• ↑ Jai Flicker. Academic Tutor. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/ap-coordinators/exam-ordering-fees/exam-fees
• ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/all-nighters_b_1501263

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A parent’s guide to AP classes

Students listen during an Advanced Placement American history class at Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles in 2013.

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A 4.0 GPA isn’t enough to get into any college you want anymore. Now, there are Advanced Placement classes. Once reserved for the most elite high school students, these college-level classes are finding their way into more schools , and more colleges expect to see them on applicants’ transcripts.

What are AP classes, and what do you and your teen need to know about them? Education Matters spoke to a number of education experts, all of whom are listed at the end of the post. If you have more questions, you can t weet them to us @LATEducation.

What does AP stand for, and what is the point?

The Advanced Placement program was born in the 1950s and is run by the College Board, the huge education nonprofit corporation that also administers the SAT . AP classes are college-level courses, but they’re taught in high school. The goal is to expose students to the rigorous standards they will face in college, to increase college preparedness and to challenge students beyond regular and often beyond honors courses.

There are now almost 40 AP courses offered, though not every school offers every course. The College Board provides schools the curriculum for these classes, and administers AP tests to students each May. If a student scores a 3, 4, or 5 out of 5 on a test, he or she is eligible to receive college credit for that class —and possibly be required to take fewer classes in order to graduate from college.

How is it different from a regular or honors class?

Simply put, AP classes are more difficult than other classes. “It’s at least 30% more [work] than another class,” said James Keipp, the director UCLA’s AP Readiness Program, which offers free support classes to LAUSD students.

AP students are supposed to delve more deeply into topics through research, practical applications and critical thinking. Stanford lecturer Denise Pope gave one example in her book about a healthy balance for high school kids, Overloaded and Underprepared :

“[N]ew AP science courses aim to more closely reflect what goes on in the college science lab and the true process of science and inquiry, including hypothesis testing, experimentation, and analytic reasoning,” the book notes of some of the new frameworks.

The differences between honors classes and AP classes vary depending on the school. In many cases, honors classes tend to be for freshmen and sophomores, who then take AP classes in those subjects in their junior and senior years. Another difference between honors and AP is that students can earn college credits by passing AP exams.

AP classes affect GPA as well — regular classes usually weight an A in a class as a 4.0. But many high schools and colleges give AP classes an additional point. So it’s possible to have a 5.0 GPA credit from an AP class. Or, a student could get a B in an AP class but still have a 4.0 GPA. Schools often weight honors classes higher than regular classes as well.

How many AP classes should my kid be taking to get into college?

This is one of the most common questions that counselors are asked. The answer varies from student to student, but a student should take AP classes she is interested in, as long as she is still able to get nine hours of sleep after finishing homework and extracurriculars.

For highly selective schools such as Ivy League schools, Stanford, and public universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley, it’s common for accepted applicants to take about eight AP classes throughout high school, though that number can range from five to 13.

There are many colleges, though, that don’t ask for that many AP classes and offer a very good education, even though they’re not in U.S. News & World Report’s top 30 schools. Students can get into a four-year school with just one AP, and in some cases, with none. Students with a high school degree can also attend community college without any AP classes, and then transfer to a four-year school.

Students who haven’t taken many AP classes can also use written portions of college applications to explain why, and to explain other factors that may have affected their high school performance or the classes they took. Grades, rigor of classes, and test scores may be the foundation of college admissions in many cases, but colleges also look at extracurricular activities and essays.

Keep in mind that these answers certainly do not apply to all colleges — there are many kinds of schools, with different admissions criteria.

My kid’s school doesn’t offer that many AP options. What can we do?

First, know that colleges look at a student’s course load in the context of the options available — so if there are only three AP classes offered at the school and your child takes all three, admissions officers will be impressed.

So it’s possible to take few AP courses where few are offered and please admissions officers. But when it comes to educational opportunity and equity, if your child’s school offers far fewer AP classes than other schools, your school may be offering a lower-quality education overall. This gap is a problem that districts are trying to address by adding more AP offerings throughout schools.

High school students can also take classes for free at many community colleges, and one semester of those classes translates to a year of an AP class. This requires planning, though -- you must talk to your school’s counselor to ensure that the school will accept the class, and find a class that’s after school and doesn’t conflict with jobs or extracurriculars.

Of course, there are schools where honors classes are just as challenging and fulfilling as an AP course.

Do you need to take the test, or is the class enough?

In terms of college admissions, schools primarily look at the classes a student takes, and his or her performance in that class. Reporting your AP scores on applications usually is optional, so failing the test or not taking won’t necessarily affect your admissions chances.

The advantage to taking the tests is that they can count for college credits and could allow you to skip some lower-level classes in college, saving money and time. The College Board offers partial fee waivers for the $89 test, and a number of districts use federal funds to cover as much as $84 of the cost.

Is it better to take more AP classes or to get good grades in regular classes?

Colleges want to see students challenge themselves, so counselors would suggest that students take an AP class and get a B, rather than take all regular classes and get straight A’s.

C grades, however, are not acceptable for selective colleges. In those cases it might be better to drop into a regular class.

Some advocates say that all high school students should take at least one AP class whether or not they perform well academically in it, because it exposes them to college-level academics and to an environment in which it’s expected that most students will attend college.

The school says my child is not eligible or can’t take an AP class. What are the restrictions?

In Los Angeles Unified, any student can take an AP class if she chooses to, according to district policy . If your student is being kept out of an AP class that he wants to take, you can go to the school and express your support for your child or ask why he’s being blocked from the class. If that doesn’t work or you are not sure what your district’s rules are, you can go to a school board member or even the superintendent to ask what the district’s policy is regarding AP enrollment.

Policies such as grade requirements, teacher recommendations and entry exams have historically prevented many black and Latino students, and low-income students, from taking AP classes. Now the College Board and school districts are recognizing that, and districts around the country are flipping access so that any student can choose to take an AP class — that’s the policy in both Los Angeles and Long Beach unified school districts.

However, this policy doesn’t always make it down to the campus level. Counselors and teachers may still tell a student that she shouldn’t take an AP class, based on her past grades and test scores. If that’s the case, a parent can talk to the teacher or counselor to enroll the student in the class, and to have a conversation about the supports necessary to make sure the student succeeds. The U.S. Department of Education is investigating schools where the population of AP students is different from the overall population.

My kid is up until 3 a.m. doing homework for AP’s every night. What do I do?

Look into tutors, and/or drop a class.

As AP classes become the norm for many students, it’s easy to forget that they are, indeed, college-level courses. Few college students take five courses at a time, so it’s perhaps unreasonable to expect a high school student to do the same. Before choosing classes, ask teachers how much homework students can expect on average, and plan out each day accordingly. Ideally, there should be enough time for school, homework, any extracurriculars or work commitments, and nine (yes, nine) hours of sleep.

At the beginning of the year when schedules are still flexible, students should think hard about whether they can manage the courseload. If during the year students are feeling the mental and physical toll of too many AP classes, they can try to drop one or more and take the ones that they are most interested in, or the subjects in which they do best.

I can’t afford tutoring. How can I make sure my kid succeeds in APs? What community resources are there for my kid?

There are a number of programs for students in AP courses. For example, UCLA’s AP Readiness Program offers four-hour sessions one Saturday a month, free to all LAUSD students who are not in independent charter schools. The district also provides transportation. For other students, they cost $320 for the entire year. Parents who are interested can talk to their student’s AP teacher about organizing a group to get a better rate, or can ask the school to cover the cost.

Community colleges also often have free tutoring programs for high school students, as do local groups such as the ones listed on this L.A. County database .

To get these questions and answers, Education Matters interviewed the following people:

Audrey Kahane, a private college counselor

Kathryn Favaro, a college counselor and founder of California College Prep

Tyrone Howard, UCLA education professor

Denise Pope, Stanford senior lecturer and co-founder of Challenge Success

James Keipp, director of UCLA AP Readiness Program

Christina Theokas, director of research at Education Trust

Reach Sonali Kohli on Twitter @Sonali_Kohli or by email at [email protected].

More to Read

Letters to the Editor: Higher math is everywhere. But should UC require all applicants to learn it?

April 2, 2024

Editorial: Not every student needs Algebra 2. UC should be flexible on math requirement

March 28, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Hey, UC, who has ever thought, ‘I sure wish I had taken more algebra’?

March 22, 2024

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Sonali Kohli is a former Los Angeles Times reporter. A product of Southern California, she grew up in Diamond Bar and graduated from UCLA. She worked as a metro reporter for the Orange County Register and as a reporter covering education and diversity for Quartz before joining The Times in 2015.

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Articles & Advice > Majors and Academics > Blog

Put the A in AP Classes With These 5 Simple Academic Tips

The secret to succeeding in AP courses isn't such a secret: It's just hard work. Here are five effective tips for good grades from a fellow AP student.

by Katie Nagy CollegeXpress Student Writer

Last Updated: Oct 4, 2023

Originally Posted: May 3, 2016

“Expect one to two hours of homework per night, per class .” The woman at the front of the room somehow managed to even click to the next slide of the PowerPoint intimidatingly. My tiny freshman form shook in my seat as a million doubts flew through my mind. I took AP Human Geography this year, but World History is supposed to be so much harder…Maybe I should just take honors. That's right! My school had an annual AP meeting in the theater where the counselors tried to intimidate slackers out of the AP program by explaining the amount of work and dedication expected of everyone. They might be hyperbolizing it a bit to have more of an effect—which is understandable, APs are a big commitment.

I had 11 AP classes under my belt by the end of junior year, and I scraped a respectable grade on nearly every exam I took and managed an organic A in almost every class. With such a résumé, I feel inclined to share what I wish I had known prior to taking advanced courses. Here are five tips on how to get A’s in APs from someone who’s tried just about everything.

1. Read. the. book.

Just read it. I wish I had some alternative for you, but there’s a reason those textbooks are so heavy and pricey: They’re loaded with invaluable knowledge. I really got into my textbooks junior year, and as a result, my cumulative average went up about four points in every class. Those questions that seem “totally unfair” because your teacher never covered the material in class are most likely in your textbook. I've found that reviewing the textbook in the week leading up to a test, just to solidify all information , is the best way to do well—I found it especially helpful in my social studies classes. Other than that, I read it when I’m thoroughly confused in math and science classes (except for statistics, where I owe my grade to the entire book), and it almost always clears up the problem. I know it sounds painful but read the book.

Related: 3 Tips to Improve Your Reading Retention for School

2. Do your homework

It feels like no one ever bothers to do their homework because when everyone can copy off of each other. As tempting as it can be to shrug it off, you need to do it. This is vital not only to getting an A but to getting above a score of three on the AP exam. How can you know what questions you have until you do the homework? Short answer: you won’t. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, as I was a chronic homework copier. But after doing my own homework, my grades improved, and more importantly, my understanding of the content improved. 

3. Actually study

Maybe you’re the type of student who never studied for tests and pulled A’s with no problem. Then you enroll in three AP classes without changing your study habits, and suddenly you’re drowning in C’s. I’ve been where you are, and there is an answer:  study. Even if you’ve been in gifted and talented programs since you were five, start studying like everyone else. Look up study tactics online and find what works best for you . For example, as a visual learner, I make Quizlets for every vocab quiz ever and study them until I can say the definitions perfectly. Swallow your pride and do it.

Related: Our Best Advice for Homework, Studying, and Tests

4. Accept tutoring

In my mind, I was hot stuff in sophomore math. I had never gotten a B and was determined to ace the class without studying—then I got a 64 on my first test. Yikes! I shrugged it off as a fluke and vowed to do better on the next test: 77. Well, I did do better! Even so, after months of convincing myself I was too smart for tutoring, I finished with an 86. I still regret that grade to this day, and I’m confident if I had accepted help, I would have ended with a much better grade. My school had multiple honors societies that offered free tutoring during weekdays—I had no excuse. Even if you’re not used to being tutored , don’t let your pride stop you from accepting help! There’s no reason to be ashamed of not understanding something—the A in the grade book will make you completely forget about it.

5. Talk to your teachers

When I say, “Talk to your teachers,” I don’t mean go to them after school and complain that you have a B in their class and whine for them to fix it. There’s a big difference between “Ms. Park, I have a B in your class because I failed that one test and I really want an A. Can you give me bonus points?” and “Ms. Park, I found the material in the Chapter 9 test difficult, and I got some tutoring and feel much better about it. As of right now, I feel like my grade in your class doesn’t reflect my understanding of the material. Can I work with you to do extra credit to bring my grade up?”

The operative differences here are intent and growth . In one case, you’re upset and sound like you want to be handed something you don’t deserve; in another, you show that you want to prove to your teacher you worked hard to improve and understand the material. Believe it or not, that’s every teacher’s primary goal for you. Frankly, it should be your primary goal too.

Related: How to Build Better Relationships With Your Teachers

The moral of the story is you don’t have to put that much more time into an AP class than, say, an honors class; the true distinction is the quality of the time that you put in. Manage your time, focus your energy, and work hard, and you’ll be fine. Best of luck!

Not even sure which AP courses you want to take next semester? We’ve got you covered in our article Insider Insight on AP Courses: Which Classes Are Best to Take?

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About Katie Nagy

Katie Nagy is a high school senior in northeastern Georgia. When she isn't obsessively researching colleges or studying for the SAT, she enjoys practicing martial arts, playing viola, baking, and, of course, writing.

You can follow Katie on Instagram .

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5 Tips for Completing AP Summer Homework

A cross the United States and abroad, thousands of high school students are enrolling in and preparing for Advanced Placement (or AP) courses. The AP curriculum is rigorous, and as a result, many AP programs assign homework during the summer. Although this homework carries a significant cost in time and effort for reluctant students, it can help you maintain and strengthen your academic skills during the long summer months.

The total “cost” can move well beyond time and effort, however — if you reach the week before school begins without having completed this assigned homework, you may run the very real risk of struggling in the class before it even starts. Even if your AP summer homework is not factored into your regular grade (and at many high schools, it is), you could be starting the academic year at a disadvantage.

Luckily, AP summer homework is not insurmountable. If you are facing a mountain of required reading, problem sets, and essays, here are several tips and tricks that can help you complete your AP summer homework:

Acknowledge its importance

For AP-level students, one of the most challenging aspects of summer homework is believing in its importance. “It’s summer!” your mind might unhappily shout. “Summer is for fun!” Unfortunately, the reality is that true learning is a continuous process. Completing your AP homework does not need to be an all-consuming task (and reaching that state is unhealthy), but it does need to be a task this summer. Think of it this way — world-class athletes do not train for part of the year. They instead follow a consistent schedule that varies in intensity. The summer is a time that your brain can use to recharge, but it still needs stimulation. Consider your AP homework that stimulation.

Create a schedule

Before you begin your AP homework, make a plan. On the first day of summer vacation, it may seem as though you have months in which to do your work, but this time quickly disappears. Procrastinating can be a recipe for disaster.

To ensure you remain on schedule, purchase a calendar and set milestones in pen. Do leave time to enjoy a family vacation or an outing with friends. If you have two books to read for AP English Literature and Composition, for example, note the page counts, and divide the total pages by the days until school begins. This is your daily minimum.

Reward your progress

Write each of your milestones, or goals, on an index card with the target date of completion and a reward for adhering to that schedule. Post these index cards where you will see them — beside your television, next to your laptop, on the refrigerator, etc. Choose a reward that is truly motivating, such as seeing a highly anticipated movie. If you tend to procrastinate, consider leaving a favorite video game or personal possession with a friend or family member who will only return the item to you when you reach your goal.

Stay in contact with classmates and teachers

Summer homework is far less beneficial if you do not understand the assignment. Some AP teachers will provide you with a reading guide for AP United States History or an answer key for your AP Calculus BC problems. You can also look for relevant resources online. Ask if your teacher welcomes questions over summer vacation, or start a study group with your classmates. Without the consistent feedback that you receive during the school year, it can be difficult to know when your summer homework is done well. Communicating with your classmates and/or teachers can help you avoid that uncomfortable, sinking feeling when you reach the first test of the school year, only to find that your leisurely pool-side skimming of A Tale of Two Cities was insufficient.

Continually challenge yourself

The best architects, athletes, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and, yes, students become better at their trades by constantly challenging themselves. Signing up for an AP class certainly counts as a challenge, but once you have your AP summer assignments in hand, begin looking for ways to improve your knowledge base and your performance as a student. This advice is doubly true if your AP program does not assign much (or any) summer homework. Seek out AP practice tests in AP Biology or AP Statistics, and experiment with the problems they contain. Not only can you work these problems into the schedule you created, you can also utilize them to identify your class-specific strengths and weaknesses. If you are focusing on courses that are literature-heavy, look for each class’s reading list, and get a head start on the books that will be assigned early in the school year. It can seem near-impossible to motivate yourself in the summer months, but come fall, you will likely be very glad you did. Good luck!

Brian Witte is a professional SAT tutor with Varsity Tutors . He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington and holds a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.

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• 5 Things Students Must Know About the New SAT
• 4 Ways Students Can Prep for SATs Over the Summer
• How Summer Reading Programs Can Keep Students on Track

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Are taking these 4 AP Classes too much as a junior?

I am planning to take these classes. I will list my thoughts and the environment of the course at my specific school. Please let me know your own thoughts/personal experience of these courses and if you think this is too much to handle in one year:

- AP Chem: I LOVE chemistry and science. I passed Honors Chemistry with a very high A (although this was in a virtual environment due to distance learning). I generally have a good understanding of chemistry and am very interested in this subject. My teacher gave us summer homework to prepare for the course and she generally has a high passing rate for the AP exam. Her homework load was reasonable for honors and she is not a harsh grader. Although, I am not sure if her teaching style will be different for the AP Class. This is the class I WILL be taking this year no matter what.

- AP Calc AB: The teacher is tough but she has a very high passing rate for the AP Exam and math has always been one of my favorite subjects. She warned us the workload will be a lot, but I generally understand math pretty quickly. I also passed Algebra II/ Trig Honors with a very high A and had the same teacher so I know her teaching style.

- AP Lang: A lot of students told me this class at my school is pretty much the same as an Honors English class (which I have taken before) with just more preparation for the AP exam in terms of the essay and MCQ formats. I have always found English very fun at my school and I really like the teacher.

- APUSH: This is the class I am debating on taking because I have never really enjoyed history. Although, American History seems interesting and the teacher is pretty lenient. Juniors who have already taken his class say all he does is lecture and students are required to take handwritten notes. That's it; the teacher gives absolutely no homework- just tests. I have taken AP World and AP Euro before and the courses were generally easy to understand. I am debating where or not I want to add APUSH to my schedule because 3 AP classes may be overwhelming already, but I do want the American History college credit.

I have a pretty good work ethic and am very organized and passionate about school. COVID made me a little lazy with distance learning but I think I can get back into my normal routine by the fall. My extracurriculars will be playing fall volleyball (August-end of October), running a club, volunteering, and serving a board position with a local charity.

Additionally, the other classes I would be taking alongside these AP's are Theology (required at my school), Spanish III Honors, and Physics Honors

Any input or advice is appreciated :))) Thank you ^^

Poll question: Should I take APUSH?

Hey! So at my school this upcoming year I’m taking 6 APs. Seeing as you probably want to go into STEM and the teacher isn’t horrid you should take Chem and Calc as you kinda already know. Language I’m taking this year but from my research it’s just honors English 12. And remover that it is an AP class so college credit heavily relies on that class as prep. So I’d recommend taking it. As for APUSH I’m wierd in the fact I love history but am STEM bound. When I took APUSH it was fairly relaxed with no homework at all besides reading chapters - no worksheets and quizzes and test based on that with a few projects thrown in. While not all schools are similiar your expierences indicate it’s likely somewhat similar and it’s largely a modified reading comprehension class for a bad analogy. Assuming you have time and it seems that you do I’d take it as it helps to better show rigor and it’s college credit. However last year I took 2 APs at the same time 3 overall and the workload wasn’t more difficult just different.

Hope this helps!

Well... let's analyze your situation here

AP Chem: You said you loved it and got a high A in Honors Chem. I say go for it. AP Chem is not actually much harder than Honors Chem.

AP Calc AB: Well, the workload is high, but you say you can understand it and it comes quickly to you. I think it balances it out. You also passed your previous math classes with an A, so that's good. And you have the same teacher, and hence you know her teaching style. Also good. You have all the advantages with you and only 1 disadvantage is the workload, but besides that, no other disadvantages. Take it.

AP Lang: IDK bout this class cuz I did not take it, but I think you should be fine.

You should be fine as long as you can handle course rigor. I personally took 6 aps my junior year and did fine (but because of covid, my grades dipped).

I think it all depends on your other classes. Like if you are also taking a college course and other honors classes that will also be rigorous, 4 AP classes is too much. But if you think you can handle it, go for it and trust your instincts!

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Anyone taking AP World History? Is it normal to have HOURS of hw each night?

My D has been working continuously since 5pm and she only took a 15 minute break for dinner. It’s almost 10:30 and she’s still working. She did do some work for 2 other classes, but she’s pretty much been working on this AP class for 4 hrs or more. It’s just the beginning of school. Is this typical? If so, OMG!

And she hasn’t been on social media or doing other things, so no procrastinating.

I’m taking AP World History too. We have to read a chapter every night and get quizzed on it next class. It’s a lot for me and my classmates right now, but I think it will get better later on when we can learn how to read a history textbook without reading every single word and actually retain the information. Or at least I’m hoping!

My son (now a junior) took AP World History last year, and there was an insane amount of homework. He’s now taking APUSH, AP Stats, Honors English, etc, and so far, the amount of homework is nothing like it was for AP World. His AP World teacher also happened to be quite disorganized, and left a lot of material until too late in the year. My son’s advice would be to use outside study guides, like Barron’s and AP flash cards, to keep up if the teacher is not experienced. I don’t think I’ll have my younger son take AP World unless he really wants to, now that I know what he’s in for, having watched my older son. There is just so much material to cover. Good luck!

I am taking AP Euro and we have to: read ~40 pages in a college textbook, answer some mini LEQs, write a timed LEQ, and do some MCs questions every two weeks. I think that she may not be planning her time well because there is a possibility that she waited until the last minute to do her homework. If I waited until the night before to do my two weeks of homework, I would have ~7 hours of homework to do in one night.

I remember only having to read 40-50 pages/complete an online quiz weekly, be prepared for surprise reading checks, and write/edit the occasional essay, but I never felt overwhelmed because of that class. What exactly has she been assigned? Does it look like busywork? We never had projects or worksheets in my World class. I think @kimclan1 might be right. Maybe your daughter waited to do a reading and a quiz is coming up. I spent 3/4 hours taking notes over a chapter when I waited too long and had to do it all at once. I can’t imagine a history teacher giving that much homework consistently.

Each class is taught differently by different teachers so it is very difficult to know for sure. My son has to read approx 20-30 pages a night or every other night and answer 20 questions on each chapter , 10 multiple choice and 10 definitions . So yes , it can take 3 or more hours a night. Is this her first AP class? She may be adjusting to a different teaching style. It also requires a lot of reading. She may be having to reread some sections to comprehend the material . I’d also caution people not to assume that your daughter procrastinated , and that’s why it’s taking her so long. There is no consistency in the homework requirements as you can see by reading the many threads regarding AP classes including the several listed on this thread.

@carolinamom2boys @Hamlon @kimclan1 Thanks for your responses. I saw the syllabus, and all that HW was assigned yesterday and due today. There was reading, working on charts, answering numerous questions, working on a timeline AND starting an essay. Lots of busywork. In all my years as a college student and grad student, I had never seen anything like it. She said her teacher is known to be the “hardest”. This is her first AP, and I guess she has to figure it out, but I hope it lets up.

Looking forward, do you think the other AP’s are less intensive or is this class similar to most APs? Thanks again

Yes, AP world history is one of the high workload APs and for students who have never taken one of the hard AP classes before, it can be a shock. Yes, this is typical. My kids do most of the reading/outlining for the week over the weekend, and I’d be surprised if they can do it in less than 5-6 hours. My second kid is a slower reader and more of a perfectionist and she struggled a lot with the workload in the first few months of AP world, probably spending 8-10 hours on those readings. She eventually learned to get the work done more efficiently. As she’s moved into APUSH this year, she is still working to improve her efficiency.

She probably will get more efficient. If she has to produce outlines (not all teachers require this), I would say that most kids make the mistake of writing too much down. My kids would suggest setting a limit of X lines per section and sticking to it. This improves with practice. The important part is the thought process of distilling what’s important, not what’s written on the page. My second kid who reads slowly has been setting timers lately to help her pace herself through the reading and assignments more quickly. Not sure how well that will work out.

I’m surprised at the posts of kid saying they didn’t have to work much in this class. In the years I’ve been on this site, I’ve seen a pretty strong consensus that it’s a lot of work, although less so for those who don’t have to outline. (Though some of those students are required to write significant research papers, which our students are not). I’m not a huge fan of the outlining, but both my kids say that it helps them learn the material well, and our school has an extremely high pass rate, so I guess they are working harder than most, considering the roughly 50% pass rate on this exam.

I would suggest trying to get as much as possible of the week’s work done over the weekend.

@citymama9 I have to say, that is WAY more work than I had to do in AP World…in my case we had these reading guides to do while reading the chapter and some of us would be prone to copying whole sections from the textbook…but even that didn’t take as much time as it looks like your D is taking on these assignments per day. 4 hours a night is pretty extensive.

In terms of other APs it really depends on the teacher and the school. You’re almost always going to hear that there are “hard” teachers and “easy teachers”. For example, a previous poster talked about doing reading and question answering for AP Euro in her school. My AP Euro teacher never assigned hw or essays and said that we could get away with a passing grade by just listening to lectures. We had a textbook, but for course only motivated students would read it. Plus our tests (except the final) were open note. In terms of history APs for me the amount of work probably looked something like this (from least to most): AP Euro<AP Human Geo<APUSH<AP World, though this of course is going to be different for people in other schools Also, there’s a big difference between different subject AP’s like history vs a science. History is going to be intensive in amount of reading and writing to do while a science can be intensive by problem sets (esp. if you leave them to the last day!) and lab write-ups. It all depends on the rigor of the school and rigor of the class as set by the teacher. Plus, for a STEM-oriented student history AP’s may seem harder or more work than their science AP’s and vice versa.

Good luck to your daughter! I hope her work-load lightens up…4 hours a day for one subject really seems like too much, especially if one is not interested in it.

If it’s her first AP History, she may be better served with AP Euro, because the timeline is shorter so teachers don’t feel pressured to cover 5,000 years of history in detail. It’s a massive amount of information and a lot of memorization. AP Euro is more concentrated and while it requires pretty good writing/reading/critical thinking, it shouldn’t be as overwhelming for a first AP.

Many schools don’t offer both. Ours has only World. I will say despite the large amount of work, both my kids found it worthwhile and were glad they did it, even though neither is planning to major in history. I also feel it’s worthwhile. American kids learn so little about world history during their education outside of this class.

For many kids, this is their first experience with a class where they can’t possibly learn all the material that’s presented. Learning to deal with this and sort out what they really need to know and when they know enough is especially tough for thorough, perfectionist types.

I agree it’s worthwhile content, but 4+ hours of hw a day for that one class is too much, especially if a lot of the work is “busywork” (ie., not “harder”, just “more” stuff).

Is it really 4 hours every night? I would say 4 hours 2-3x per week would be within the normal range. I suspect that we would have seen a post before now if it were 4 hours every single night. Yes, there are plenty of reading assignments that take 6+ hours to complete. Most of the kids are pretty busy with this every sunday. Our kids do get at least the full week’s assignment the prior week so they can schedule accordingly. I think my kids probably spent more time on WHAP than on any other AP class, including APUSH, BC calc, AP chem, AP bio, which are the hardest APs at our school.

Some people consider the outlining to be busywork. I’d rather see my kids do less outlining and more paper writing but they are surprisingly supportive of it, and as I said the test results speak for themselves. Yes, there should be more to the course than prepping for the test, but at least our classes do very well with that.

OP, if this doesn’t improve soon, have your child meet with the teacher. It’s quite possible that your kid is doing more than expected. I actually had my second kid do this when she was spending an inordinate amount of time on WHAP last fall, and it did help to get some clarification of expectations and some tips on how to approach the work.

Our son often spent several hours a night on AP World History. APUSH was not too far different for workload. All the other APs have been minimal workload.

All of you have been so incredibly helpful. Thank you! I’ve been thinking: D just started school last Thurs. They then had a 3 day weekend and over the weekend she had an enormous amt of AP HW due Tues. Last night she had even more due today. I am now wondering if she left too much for last night and should have done even more over the weekend than she did. I will have to look at the syllabus. The key here may be getting stuff done way in advance of when it’s due. Anyway, I told her this class will build character and make everything to come look easy in comparison. She grunted.

Absolutely!!! My oh my! I am currently a freshman and I am loaded everynight. It consumes my time a lot. Every night I feel like I see more images of Alexander the Great and pharoahs then my own family! Lots of outlining… Ugh

Our Ap World class is nothing near the workload of that.

My sophomore has had some difficulty with planning and scheduling in the past, but he actually has done well in this class by using the syllabus to plan out his work load . Maybe that can help your daughter @citymama9 .

WHAP is definitely a class where they should be thinking and planning at least for the coming week. Good practice for college.

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