Hey! I'm trying to plan out my senior year and I'm curious about people's opinions on AP class difficulty. Is there a general consensus or ranking system for how hard each AP subject is when compared to the others?
Your question is thoughtful, though each AP course's difficulty can depend largely on factors such as personal interest, aptitude in the subject, and the teacher's teaching style. Nonetheless, some general trends do emerge when students share their experiences.
Courses typically perceived as challenging include AP Physics 1 & 2, AP Calculus BC, and AP Chemistry due to their rigorous mathematical and conceptual demands. AP English Literature and AP US History are also often considered challenging due to the amount of reading and essay-writing, as well as the breadth of the material covered.
On the other hand, courses like AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography are often touted as less demanding comparatively, mainly due to their conceptual nature and less intensive math requirements.
This is not to say everyone will find these classes easy or hard in the same way; some students may excel in Physics or Calculus and find English Literature or History challenging. It's a good rule of thumb to choose AP courses based on your interests and aptitudes, not necessarily just on their perceived difficulty. For instance, a student passionate about chemistry might find the AP Chemistry course engaging and manageable, while someone else may find it difficult.
But it's equally important to consult teachers, current students, or counselors at your specific high school to gauge the rigor and pacing of particular AP courses at your school, as this can vary widely.
Remember, its also about striking a balance between a challenging course load and your ability to dedicate sufficient time to each subject. It's better to do well in fewer AP classes than to be overwhelmed by many.
Ultimately, the "difficulty" of an AP course can depend just as much on the student taking it as the course material itself.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.