Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Which APs are easiest to self-study?

Hi everyone! I'm considering self-studying for a few AP exams next year. For those who have done it before, which APs did you find the easiest to self-study? Any tips or resources you can recommend? Thanks in advance!

2 years ago

Hi there! When it comes to self-studying for AP exams, the easiest ones are usually those that have more accessible resources available or don't require advanced prerequisite knowledge. Some commonly recommended APs for self-studying include:

1. AP Human Geography: This exam focuses on the study of people, places, and cultures, making it relatively straightforward and interesting for most students. It's easy to find resources like textbooks (e.g., "Rubenstein: The Cultural Landscape") and online materials to prepare.

2. AP Psychology: Like AP Human Geography, the content covered in AP Psychology primarily consists of terminology and concepts. Hence, it is easy to grasp with clear study materials such as "Myers' Psychology for the AP Course" or the "Crash Course" series.

3. AP Environmental Science: This interdisciplinary subject covers various topics related to the environment and is regarded as one of the easier science APs to self-study. You'll find textbooks like "Living in the Environment" by G. Tyler Miller and online resources helpful for preparing.

4. AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics: Both of these exams focus on economic theories and concepts, which students often find easier to self-study compared to other APs. Recommended textbooks include "Principles of Microeconomics" and "Principles of Macroeconomics" by N. Gregory Mankiw.

Keep in mind that the ease of self-studying largely depends on your personal interests, background knowledge, and learning style. When choosing which APs to self-study, consider subjects you're genuinely interested in and feel comfortable navigating on your own.

As for tips and resources:

1. Stick to a study schedule: Allocate time consistently to review the material, solve practice problems, and take practice exams.

2. Use trusted resources: Use textbooks recommended by the College Board or other reputable sources. Online resources like Khan Academy, Fiveable, and YouTube channels (e.g., Crash Course, Bozeman Science) can also prove beneficial.

3. Take practice exams: Use past AP exam questions and score them using the College Board's official scoring guide to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This will help you gauge your readiness and direct your study efforts.

4. Engage with the community: Join online forums or discussion groups where you can ask questions, share resources, and converse with other students preparing for the same exam.

Remember, the key to successful self-studying is discipline, persistence, and active engagement with the material. Best of luck with your AP exams!

2 years ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

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.