how much homework do ap classes give

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How Do AP Classes Impact Your GPA?

Taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses has many benefits: it exposes you to and prepares you for college-level work, it could earn you college credit, and it demonstrates that you’re a serious applicant who is willing to challenge yourself.

One additional advantage? AP course participation can boost your weighted GPA. How does this work? Let’s take a look.

What Are AP Classes?

The AP program from the College Board offers college-level courses across 38 subjects, including arts, English, history and social sciences, math and computer science, sciences, and world languages and cultures. Students who participate in AP classes often take an end-of-year exam that assesses their knowledge of and skills in the subject. 

Based on components like multiple-choice questions, essays, and short answers — variable depending on the specific test — students receive a score from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Some colleges award credit to students who earn high scores, usually a 4 or 5, and in some cases a 3. Even if a college doesn’t award credit, they may use the exam for course placement, allowing you to place out of introductory classes.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to take the AP exam even if you take the course. Most students choose to do so in hopes of earning college credit, though. On the other hand, you also don’t have to take the corresponding course to sit for the AP exam; some students may choose to self-study APs. However, be aware that this is extremely challenging and won’t allow you to boost your GPA.

AP exams are quite expensive, and cost anywhere from $95-143, depending on the exam and your location. There are fee waivers , but students who don’t qualify can expect to spend quite a bit of money just on testing.

Weighted vs. Unweighted GPAs

An unweighted GPA doesn’t take into account the rigor of your courses. A weighted GPA, meanwhile, assigns extra value to AP and IB courses, usually a full point on a 4.0 scale, with a 4.0 representing an A. That means if you earn an A in an AP course, it will factor into your GPA as a 5.0. This is how many top students end up graduating with GPAs higher than 4.0.

Although colleges may see your weighted GPA on your transcript, they will likely recalculate them according to their own system because high schools weight GPAs differently. 

On your college applications, you should generally list your weighted GPA, unless the application asks for unweighted GPA specifically.

AP Class Grading Scale

Here is a chart that lets you know how AP vs. standard classes are weighted.

To get a better sense of how weighted and unweighted GPAs work, take a look at this sample schedule:

For your unweighted GPA for this schedule, simply add up the numerical grades and divide the total by five, the number of courses: (3.7+3.3+4.0+3.7+3.7) / 5 = 3.68.

You’ll follow the same math to find your weighted GPA, but, of course, you’ve already added a point to each grade for honors and AP courses: (3.7+4.3+4.0+4.7+4.7) / 5 = 4.28.

As you can see, taking three higher-level courses elevates your GPA to above a 4.0, even though your unweighted GPA is a 3.68.

Learn more about calculating your GPA (both weighted and unweighted) or use our free GPA calculator .

Why Colleges Like to See Students Take APs

While having a good GPA demonstrates that you did well in your courses, that’s not enough. Colleges want to see that you challenge yourself. Taking AP courses is one way to show that you do. 

If you’re aiming for a top-20 school, adcoms will expect to see plenty of APs on your transcript — you should take as many as you can handle, especially in your best subjects.

If your school doesn’t offer AP classes, don’t worry. Colleges will evaluate you in the context of the opportunities you have available to you. It is still possible to get into a top college with little to no AP classes, as long as you performed well relative to your peers .

Where to Get Free Homework Help for AP Classes

Balancing your AP classes in high school can be pretty tough, especially when you have extracurriculars and other responsibilities. To help you get your homework done as efficiently as possible you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you with all subjects, from math to languages.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Mom Behind the Curtain

every mom wants to be an all-powerful wizard

How much do AP classes really benefit you in college?

February 27, 2018 by ES Ivy

Ask any student and they’ll tell you that AP classes have more homework than on-level classes. But is the amount of homework worth it?

I don’t totally blame the amount of homework in AP classes on AP teachers themselves. (I blame the College Board.) I think it would be responsible for the teachers to make an assessment of how much homework they’re assigning and be the adult and say when enough is enough. But I know the teachers are trying to manage very difficult expectations. I have found out some interesting things about AP that might help teachers to make an assessment of the worth of all the homework they’re assigning to fulfill expectations of the College Board.

Do AP students do better in college?

While it’s often repeated that AP students do better in college, it appears to be a statement that originates with the the College Board itself (the for-profit company that created AP). I long suspected all the studies I could find. To me, they showed correlation but not causation. Because when you have most of the top students in most of the schools taking AP classes, they are going to be most of the students who do well in college. On top of that, when I got an opportunity to talk to some college professors directly, more than one told me that college students are less capable than they were 25 years ago (when AP was less prevalent.)

In fact there is an excellent study out of Stanford that shows that it appears to be merely a correlation; it is really difficult to show causation.

Do AP classes save you money?

The College Board also claims that AP will save you college time and money. But how does that actually work out?

Our oldest child, a National Merit Scholar, graduated in 2016 with 42 hours of AP classes and dual credit taken. Compared to most of the advanced students at our high school, that was not an excessive number.

However, while his private university took 76% of those hours (32 hours) for college credit, only 36% of the hours (15 hours) took the place of required courses, the rest were counted as electives. (Only 12% of his AP hours fulfilled requirements, 66% of his dual credit fulfilled requirements.)

In total, his dual credit and AP classes may have saved him one semester of college work. That does represent some financial savings. But was there another cost to this work?

If he did 42 class hours worth of work for 15 class hours (approximately 4-5 classes), it means he did 3X more college work than he needed. While he was still in high school!

Is 3x the workload – a year and a half of hard work – really worth saving a semester?

High school AP courses do not predict college success in science

Are AP courses worth the effort? An interview with Stanford education expert Denise Pope

Share this:

• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

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.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

Overview of AP Classroom Resources

New features.

AP Classroom resources are regularly updated based on feedback from educators and students. 

The latest updates include: 

• New functionality to generate custom practice assignments based on student performance displayed in the Content & Skills Performance report  
• Improved menus throughout the platform, making the available options clearer and more consistent  
• Functionality for teachers to change assignment settings (e.g., due date, time limit) for individual students on the Assignment Overview page 
• An “Immediate Feedback” option teachers can enable for assignments with multiple-choice questions, so students can check their answers as they work

AP Classroom Resources

Unit guides.

Unit guides provide both an overview and a deep dive of the content and skills covered on the AP Exam.  

Unit guides include: 

• The course framework that delineates the exact content and skills covered on the exam  
• Pacing and sequencing suggestions that account for the spiraling of course skills and the use of all AP Classroom resources 
• Sample optional instructional activities to help students learn and apply course content and skills 
• Topic pages that describe the required content for each topic 
• Unit weighting to focus instruction on topics that will make the biggest impact 

AP Daily Videos

AP Daily videos are led by experienced AP teachers to help students understand essential course concepts. The videos are short and available on-demand. 

Students can watch AP Daily videos: 

• In class 
• As homework 
• For additional practice 
• As review 

The videos can be used to: 

• Introduce new content and skills 
• Complement in-class instruction 
• Reinforce concepts after class 
• Review specific topics before the AP Exam

Topic Questions 

Topic questions are formative assessment questions that are assigned to check student understanding of course topics.  

Assign topic questions any time: 

• Before you teach a topic, to assess prior knowledge 
• While you’re teaching a topic, to get immediate feedback on student understanding 
• After you teach a topic, to get data on what students know and are able to do 

Topic questions can be used as: 

• Warm-up questions 
• Homework exercises 
• Exit ticket questions 
• Quick assessments after watching AP Daily videos 
• Another way to help you identify and target student misunderstandings 

Progress Checks 

Progress checks are unit-level formative assessments that are assigned to gauge student understanding of all topics and skills. 

Assessments measure knowledge and skills through: 

• Multiple-choice questions with rationales that explain correct and incorrect answers 
• Free-response questions with scoring guidelines 

You can use the Progress Checks report to identify the topics and skills students should continue practicing. Students can also get feedback on their responses through the question rationales and scoring guidelines at their teacher’s discretion.

Question Bank

The question bank allows you to create practice assignments and custom assessments using a searchable database of real AP questions indexed by course content and skills. 

Use filters and the search feature to find questions that: 

• Are relevant to the content and skills you’re currently teaching 
• Are of a specific type, including question type and stimulus type 
• Align best to the current course and exam 
• Are designed for daily, formative practice 
• Should be reserved for end-of-year AP Exam practice 
• Are publicly available vs. from official AP Practice Exams that should be kept secure  

Resources & Assignments

The Resources & Assignments section helps you manage all videos, progress checks, custom assessments, practice exams, and course-specific PDF resources—including using labels and sharing quizzes—whether you’ve assigned them or not. 

Assignment options include: 

• Reassigning assessments to entire class sections, groups of students, or individual students 
• Scoring free-response questions 
• Enabling student self-scoring for assignments with free-response questions 
• “Unsubmitting” student assignments so they can continue working or provide responses for questions they left blank 
• Adjusting start and due dates, and marking assignments as complete 
• Changing the assignment format, from online to paper or vice versa
• Adjusting settings for how students view their results: with question details and the correct answers; with only scores; or with no results 
• Generating answer sheets to support automated scoring of multiple-choice questions and online teacher scoring of free-response questions for paper assessments
• Using labels to organize resources and assignments in ways that work best for you and your students, including creating groups of assignments or learning modules 

Other options include: 

• Viewing all available course resources from the All Resources page  
• Filtering the All Resources page by Assigned and Unassigned resources 
• Sharing quizzes with other AP Classroom teachers  

In their Assignments section, students can:

• View and sort active and upcoming assignments by start and due date
• Search for assignments by title
• Filter assignments by resource type
• Score free-response questions on assignments you have set for students to self-score
• View results of completed assignments

The Reports section provides different views, or reports, of student performance so you can analyze both class-level and individual assignment results and progress toward learning all course content and skills. 

The All Assignments report: 

• Shows results for every assignment teachers have created or assigned throughout the year 
• Can be viewed by class section or for an individual student within that section 
• Displays class averages on assignments by percentage and points earned 
• Can be exported to a .csv file 
• Average time spent on each question for the class, as well as exact time spent for each individual student 
• Distribution of multiple-choice response selections for each question across all students, including the most common distractor 
• Overall class performance on each question 
• A Content & Skills Performance dashboard specific to the assessment, with the ability to show student performance by key course components—including topic, skill, and other course-specific options 

The Progress Checks report: 

• Shows results for every progress check for every unit of the course 
• Displays the results for the multiple-choice and free-response sections on different tabs 
• Can be viewed by class section or for an individual student within that section; can also compare performance across class sections 
• Shows longitudinal progress across the course 
• Displays class averages on assignments by points earned 
• Links to a more in-depth view of a progress check’s results 

The Content & Skills Performance report: 

• Shows a running performance snapshot by different course components—such as topics, skills, and units—to help teachers identify where students may need additional support 
• Can be viewed by class section or for an individual student within that section 
• Can be viewed for the entire school year or a specific date range 
• Can display a detailed list of the data that contributes to student and class performance on a certain course component—including the number of questions and specific assignments that covered the course component
• Includes links to AP Daily videos you can assign as review for specific topics and skills  
• Allows you to generate practice quizzes based on students’ performance displayed for course topics 

AP Classroom Help Menu (“?”) 

The Help menu, indicated by the “?” icon in the upper right corner of the AP Classroom home page, supports teachers’ efforts to stay updated on all AP Classroom features and resources throughout the school year. The menu includes: 

• Videos and screen tours of key features related to the page currently displayed 
• Complete AP Classroom Help Guides—for both teachers and students—that provide a list of recent updates by date, overview videos about the platform and specific features, and annotated screenshots to help teachers navigate specific pages 
• A “Contact Us” option to report technical issues, ask questions about specific resources, and request new AP Classroom enhancements 

Explore AP Classroom Resources

Ap classroom user guide for teachers.

Teachers can find detailed instructions for accessing and using the resources in AP Classroom in this complete online guide.

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.

• Copy Link URL Copied!

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

Opinion: How students can address their backgrounds on college applications, even without affirmative action

Sept. 4, 2024

Many high school students can’t read. Is the solution teaching reading in every class?

Aug. 14, 2024

Commentary: Why aren’t all California elementary school students learning science?

Aug. 3, 2024

Sign up for Essential California

The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

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.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Teen charged in shooting of 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall is ‘very sorry,’ attorney says

Widespread sexual abuse of women in two California prisons draws federal investigation

L.A. Mayor Bass to make LAPD chief pick this month

Mini horses, parakeets among 81 animals killed in 3-hour gun rampage, officials say

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category
• College Admissions
• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

Which AP Classes Should You Take? Planning Guide

Advanced Placement (AP)

So you've decided you want to add an AP class to your schedule. Maybe you want to take even more than one! Good for you—taking AP classes is a great way to start challenging yourself in high school.

Now comes the hard part: choosing which AP class (or classes) you should take. This guide will walk you through different factors to consider and help you decide on the best AP classes to take.

What Steps Should You Take When Deciding on AP Classes?

There's a lot more to choosing AP classes than just choosing a course that sounds interesting or that your friends are taking. AP classes can have big benefits, like strengthening your college applications and earning you college credit. However, if you don't choose your AP classes wisely, you could end up in a class that is overwhelming, boring, and/or drags down your GPA because you can't get a high grade in it.

By carefully considering which AP classes to take, you can maximize the benefits you get from them while minimizing the drawbacks. Below are six steps you should take to ensure you've considered all the major factors needed for choosing the best AP classes for you.

#1: Consider Your Strengths

Before you even look too closely at your school's available classes, start by thinking about what topics interest you and which subjects you tend to do well in.

AP classes can be very difficult even if you're interested in the subject material, so it would be especially challenging to get yourself to study for something you really dislike, even if you think taking a particular AP class will look good on a college application.

Instead, you should aim for AP classes that you are interested in and think you can do well in. Explore our list of AP classes to get started.

Also think about your favorite classes so far in high school or even back in middle school. Classes you enjoy are a good predictor of the type of AP class you will like and do well in.

#2: Learn What Prerequisites You Need

Once you have considered your own personal strengths, also think about classes you have taken that could prepare you for an AP class. You shouldn't jump into an AP class unprepared!

Often your school will mandate prerequisites anyway, like requiring pre-calculus before you can take AB or BC Calculus. Some schools even require you to take a placement test to get into certain AP classes!

If your school doesn't have prerequisites, or if you're having a hard time deciding between classes, think about all of your past preparation. It can be more than just one prior class. For example, if you've taken honors English each year since seventh grade and also write on the school newspaper, you would likely be well prepared for AP English Language or AP English Literature.

Conversely, say you took Honors Biology last year and didn't do too well. AP Biology will probably be challenging for you, even though you technically have the prerequisite under your belt. So unless you like biology and are up for the challenge, you shouldn't force yourself through AP Bio just because you think it will look good on your transcript.

In short, consider both your school's mandatory prerequisites and your own broader preparation. Try and aim for classes you think you are very prepared for, especially if this is your first AP class!

Since in an AP class, you will also have to learn how to study for a cumulative exam—in other words a single test that covers a year of material—you should make sure your first AP class is in a subject you do well in. Don't underestimate the added challenge of the AP exam.

#3: Consider Other Skills Certain AP Classes Will Require

In this discussion about prerequisite courses, you might be wondering about AP courses like Human Geography, Economics, Computer Science, Psychology and Statistics, which often don't have direct prerequisites.

When considering those classes, think about the skills you have built up—because again, even if your school doesn't have a prerequisite for those AP classes, you still shouldn't walk in unprepared.

For example, if you want to take Computer Science, Statistics, or Economics, a strong math background is important. Even though you won't spend tons of time in those classes solving equations, the logic and skills you learn in math classes are necessary to take on CS or Economics.

For Psychology, think about how well you do in science and social studies, and also consider how good you are at memorizing things, since you'll have to master the structure of the brain.

For Human Geography, consider how well you do in geography and history courses and whether you enjoy them. Also consider your ability to take a broad idea and apply it to a concrete case study—as an example, are you able to pick out patterns in historical events? This is a skill you will need for Human Geography.

To learn more about individual AP courses and the material they cover, see the AP student website . As you read course descriptions, think about how they relate to other classes you have taken and the skills you have.

#4: Learn What Specific AP Classes Are Like at Your High School

You should also consider which classes are offered at your school and what their reputations are when choosing AP classes.

For example, at my high school in Salt Lake City, AP BC Calculus was known as a challenging class with lots of homework. During the second semester, you had to take it for two class periods! In contrast, AP Physics was seen as laid-back, and students were expected to manage most of the studying on their own.

Students who needed structure thrived in Calculus, while others who liked to work more independently did well in Physics. But the reverse was also true —some students got burned out by BC Calc, and others didn't have the motivation to study for Physics and so even though they passed the class, they failed the AP test .

That AP Physics class was also famous for building trebuchets and testing them out during school hours.

In short, teachers approach AP courses differently. Some expect their students to manage their own studying, like in a real college course. Others make sure their students are prepared by assigning a ton of work.

As you choose AP classes and learn about their reputations at your school , think about your own study habits and what kind of classroom environment will help you do your best.

There are many other school-specific factors to consider: who teaches the AP classes? What are their pass rates? How hard are the classes themselves to pass? How many students take the class each year?

These are questions you can take to your guidance counselor, the AP teachers themselves, teachers who teach the prerequisite classes, or even upperclassmen friends. (Though don't rely just on student word-of-mouth , since it can be biased!)

If your school is adding an AP class for the first time this year, think carefully before taking it —it's always tough teaching a class for the first time, especially an AP class. There might be some growing pains that first year as the teacher works out the curriculum.

Veteran AP teachers are often a safe bet, because they will have strategies for preparing students for the exam. Often they will be involved in AP grading as well, so they will have lots of insight into how to pass the test.

#5: Think About How Busy You Are

AP classes are big time commitments, especially in the spring ( see our post on test dates for tips on dealing with the spring time test crunch). Some teachers require extra study sessions, including on the weekends, to give you time to take practice tests.

So before signing up for a slew of AP classes, think about the other commitments you already have. Especially if you have a very time-consuming sport or extracurricular activity, taking more than two or three AP classes could overload your schedule.

Even if you have friends who are taking several AP courses, don't feel like you have to keep up with them. Keep your own strengths and limitations in mind. It's better to pass two exams than to fail four!

If you're not sure if you'll have the time to take on an AP class, talk to your parents/guardians (or a guidance counselor or teacher if you have a good relationship) for advice. Also find out if you will be able to switch out of the course mid-year if you realize you don't have enough time for it.

#6: Think About Which APs Best Fit Your College and Career Goals

AP Exams are a great way to begin exploring future college and career options. They are also a great way to signal on your college applications that you are considering what you want to study in college and are developing the skills for college classes.

When I was in high school, I was positive I wanted to study political science or international relations in college. So in addition to activities like Debate and Model United Nations, I also took AP classes like Statistics, World History, US History, US Government, Human Geography, and Environmental Science. All of these courses helped me explore topics and issues that college political science courses tackle, and also gave me skills—from the ability to analyze a poll to being able to break down an article's viewpoint and bias—that prepared me for political science.

Remember to keep your end goal in mind!

On my college applications, I was able to show my interest in political science with both my extracurricular activities and the advanced classes I was taking. In addition to my test scores and GPA, being able to show colleges I was serious about what I wanted to study helped me be successful during the application process.

In short, think about your future goals and how your class choices now can support them. AP classes are a concrete way to demonstrate on your applications that you are serious about a certain major and have the skills to pursue it.

To take another example, if you want to be a doctor, tackling AP Biology and AP Chemistry can give you a taste of what the pre-med major will be like, and you can get a sense of whether you would be up for it. It will also show college admissions officers that you are serious about pre-med.

If you're stuck between two AP choices that otherwise seem good (you've taken the prerequisites and they have good teachers), go with the one that you think will be more relevant to your major or future goals.

Also keep in mind that taking an AP Language exam, if you're ready, is a great way to show second language proficiency to colleges. Many colleges offer credit for AP language, so it can free up time for other classes.

Summary: The Best AP Classes for You

We've covered a lot of important factors in determining which AP courses are the best for you to take. You should first look to your strengths and prerequisites to see what you naturally have a good shot at doing well in.

Then, you should look at your personal schedule and find out the reputation of AP classes at your school to figure out which classes you can handle, and which ones are out of reach.

Finally, you should consider what kind of applicant you want to appear as to colleges. This will help you plan your coursework to support your goals.

What's Next?

Learn more about how AP exams are scored to help you choose . Also check out our post about how many AP classes you should take for advice on an AP schedule for the most selective schools.

If you're serious about APs, you should also be thinking about the SAT and ACT . The first step is deciding which test to tackle , which you can do with our guide.

Once you've chosen between the ACT and SAT, come up with a target score to help you study! Use our guides for the SAT and ACT to come up with a score based on your top choice schools. If you're shooting for the Ivy League, learn more about the kind of scores you will need .

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

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.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Internet Explorer does not offer support for this website. Please open this site in a different browser.

Internet Explorer does not offer support for this website. Please open this site in a different browser. For best experience use Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

Making AP® Homework Count

Nikki stared at her computer screen, wondering just how she was going to find the time to complete the six hour online training course she had to do for her school district by next week. She didn’t mind professional development usually, but this was the same mandatory training on classroom best practices she’d had to complete every year for the last eight years of her teaching career. Additionally, the professional development had to be completed outside of school contract hours. The district had given teachers just one week to complete the six hours, and they’d also required several pages of redundant documentation on testing data that could also be found on the district’s reporting system. All of this teacher “homework” was too much, and quite frankly, Nikki didn’t understand the necessity of all of it.

Most K-12 teachers have, at some point, related to the experience of too much and/or unnecessary teacher “homework”. Even new educators quickly realize the redundancy of many required teacher tasks that must be completed outside of their contract hours. And yet, teachers often struggle with finding the appropriate level of rigor and the correct amount of homework to assign their students. Creating purposeful and effective AP ® assignments can be especially difficult, as coursework expectations are especially high in college-readiness classes. All of this begs the question–how can teachers make sure their AP homework assignments truly count for their students?

Is AP Homework Really Necessary?

Before we can answer this question, we need to explore another one that has been a point of debate within education for years–is homework even necessary? The answer isn’t as clear-cut as many would like to believe. Although a clear majority (64%) of Americans do believe homework is beneficial to K-12 students, 1 there are strong arguments both for and against assigning students work to complete outside of school hours. Proponents of homework point out that it consolidates the concepts students learn during school hours and develops work ethic and time management. Opponents claim the stress homework causes students negates any of its benefits.

*Data Source: YouGov.com 1

The most comprehensive research to date on the true benefits of homework is based on a study by Harris Cooper, a psychology professor at Duke University. 2 Cooper’s study revealed a positive correlation between homework and student achievement, so he concluded that students who completed homework tended to perform better in school. Not all education experts, however, fully endorsed Cooper’s assessment of the data.

Cathy Vatterott, an education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, countered Cooper’s findings by pointing out that correlation was not causation. She furthered her argument with her own question–”Does homework cause achievement, or do high achievers do more homework?” 3

“Does homework cause achievement, or do high achievers do more homework?” ~ Cathy Vatterott

Like the controversy itself, the research isn’t clear either way. And aside from a clear conclusion, the research lacks one very important variable—it doesn’t account for the college-level rigor and expectations that AP courses require of students.

The Purpose of Homework in AP Courses

When students enroll in AP courses, they are made fully aware of the heavy workload outside of class that is required in order to succeed in them. In addition to heavy reading and studying requirements, this also means larger amounts of homework than they might see in non-AP courses. This is in-part because, as college-readiness classes, AP courses must prepare students for the heavier workloads they’ll see if they enroll in college courses. Additionally, AP course standards historically cover too much information to adequately teach everything students need to learn before their summative AP exams. Spending time outside of school hours to prepare for what they will learn in class, develop critical thinking skills, and to form excellent work and study habits will not only prepare students for their AP exams and college courses, but will also prepare them for their future careers.

In addition to these fundamental justifications for AP homework, there are a number of objectives 4 that AP assignments need to fulfill in order to be beneficial.

AP Homework Should Reinforce Learning and/or Encourage Learning Discoveries

AP homework should serve as a means to reinforce the concepts taught in class by providing opportunities for students to apply and practice what they have learned. It should go beyond rote memorization and encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and analysis. AP homework should provide quality feedback so students can better understand what they get right and correct their understanding of misconceptions. Effective AP assignments should also challenge students to draw their own conclusions, think independently, and connect course concepts to real-world situations, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter and preparing them for the rigors of college-level education.

AP Homework Should Connect to AP Learning Goals

AP homework should be aligned with the specific learning goals outlined by the AP curriculum. It should directly address the content, skills, and competencies emphasized in the course. By connecting to AP learning goals, homework assignments can effectively reinforce and extend classroom instruction, allowing students to practice and demonstrate their mastery of the targeted knowledge and skills. This alignment ensures that students are adequately prepared for the AP exams and helps them develop the depth of understanding required to excel in the subject area.

AP Homework Should Build Work Habits for College and Career

AP homework plays a crucial role in building work and study habits that are essential for college and future careers. By assigning challenging tasks that require independent research, critical thinking, and time management, AP homework helps students develop the discipline and self-regulation needed to succeed in higher education and professional settings. It instills a sense of responsibility, accountability, and perseverance as students learn to prioritize tasks, manage their time effectively, and meet deadlines. These skills and habits cultivated through AP homework set the foundation for lifelong learning, ensuring students are prepared for the demands of college and equipped with valuable skills for their future careers.

AP Homework Should Prepare AP Students for Class, As Well As the Exam

AP homework should serve as preparation for both class and the AP exam. It should encourage students to come to class ready to engage in meaningful discussions and activities related to the assigned work. By completing AP homework, students deepen their understanding of the subject matter, reinforce important concepts, and develop the skills necessary to perform well on the AP exam. The homework should include practice questions and problems that mirror the format and level of difficulty of the AP exam, allowing students to familiarize themselves with the exam structure, timing, and expectations.

AP Homework Should Track Student Progress and Differentiate Accordingly

AP homework should be designed to track student progress and provide differentiation based on individual learning needs. It can incorporate formative assessments, such as quizzes or AP assignments, that allow teachers to gauge student understanding and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, AP homework can offer differentiated tasks or extension activities to cater to varying levels of mastery and challenge students accordingly. This approach ensures that each student receives appropriate support and opportunities for growth, ultimately enhancing their learning experience and overall success in the AP course.

The Importance of Quality Over Quantity

Part of taking college-level courses, such as those offered through the AP program, is to prepare students for the responsibility of college-level assignments. Students who sign up for AP courses are made fully aware that this means they will be required to complete a greater amount of homework than what is typically required in non-college-readiness classes. Some educators mistakenly believe that the higher the quantity of AP assignments students receive, the more rigorous the course will be. Quantity does not, however, equal quality content and rigor.

Finding the appropriate level of homework for AP students can be tricky; after all, the whole point of high school students taking AP courses is to challenge them on a college level. High-achieving students tend to place a lot of pressure on themselves when striving for AP success, so when teachers give them too much homework—especially assignments perceived as busy work—it can take a toll on students’ mental health. 

According to a Challenge Success study, 67% of students consider homework to be a main source of stress and anxiety. 5 A certain amount of stress is expected while taking an AP class, of course, but to set students up for success in their AP course, it’s better (and healthier) to focus on assigning less homework with a higher level of rigor rather than large quantities of busy work.

*Data Source: The Horizon 6

Working Smarter (Not Harder) to Plan AP Homework Assignments

Creating fewer (but higher quality) AP assignments may sound simple enough, but rigorous homework requires a significant amount of time for both teacher planning and student completion. Assigning homework with UWorld’s Learning Tools for AP Courses , however, is one solution that can help educators and their students work smarter, not harder. With these tools, AP teachers can shift their focus from overwhelming students with a mountain of homework to prioritizing assignment quality over quantity.

By creating fewer but higher quality tasks with UWorld’s Learning Tools, teachers can ensure that each assignment truly helps students grasp the required AP course material and dispel any misconceptions they may have. As a result, students are able to master critical AP concepts efficiently, saving valuable time for everyone. This assignment efficiency, along with the effective feedback students receive on practice questions, creates a clear purpose for homework, motivating students to consistently complete their AP assignments in full.

Remember Your “Why”

There’s no getting around the fact that homework is an important part of AP courses. Finding the right balance with take-home AP assignments—the amount, the rigor, and the perceived purpose—can be tricky, even for the most seasoned AP educators. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to remember why we give students homework in the first place. It’s not just so students will be prepared to earn 4s and 5s on test day. Students are more than a score , and there’s a much bigger picture to consider. Homework that truly counts consolidates invaluable learning concepts, prepares students for the rigors of college, and provides opportunities for critical thinking and growth. 

*Source: Vanderbilt University 7

When striving to give students worthwhile take-home assignments, AP teachers can take a tip from the University of British Columbia’s Rob Peregoodoff. While responding to a social media post in 2020, the Director of Learning Services told teachers to “[be] authentic. To your students, and most importantly to yourself. Students know the distinction.” 7

Learn more about how UWorld strives to authentically support educators who want to provide their students with AP homework that counts with our Learning Tools for AP Courses . 

• Ballard, J. B. (2018, July 31). Do Americans think homework is helpful? . YouGov.com. https://today.yougov.com/topics/society/articles-reports/2018/07/31/homework-elementary-middle-high-school  
• Cooper, H., Robinson, J. C., & Patall, E. A. (2006). Does Homework Improve Academic Achievement? A Synthesis of Research, 1987–2003. Review of Educational Research, 76(1), 1–62. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543076001001  
• Reilly, K. (2016, August 30). Homework: Is it good for kids? here’s what the research says . Time. https://time.com/4466390/homework-debate-research/  
• The College Board ® . (2023). Take control of homework . Big Future. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/college-prep/stay-motivated/take-control-of-homework  
• Challenge Success. (2020, August). Quality Over Quantity: Elements of Effective Homework . challengesuccess.org. https://challengesuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Challenge-Success-Homework-White-Paper-2020.pdf  
• Boyd, C. (2021, March 3). Homework is stressing students out . Westwood Horizon. https://westwoodhorizon.com/2021/03/40490/
• Mcdaniel, R. (2021, January 11). Overcoming the “busywork” dilemma . Vanderbilt University. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/2021/01/overcoming-the-busywork-dilemma/#:~:text=The%20busywork%20dilemma%20is%20where,which%20can%20be%20very%20frustrating .

We use cookies to learn how you use our website and to ensure that you have the best possible experience. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. Learn More

Login or sign up

Get Started

• College Search
• College Search Map
• Graduate Programs
• Featured Colleges
• Scholarship Search
• Lists & Rankings
• User Resources

Articles & Advice

• All Categories
• Ask the Experts
• Campus Visits
• Catholic Colleges and Universities
• Christian Colleges and Universities
• College Admission
• College Athletics
• College Diversity
• Counselors and Consultants
• Education and Teaching
• Financial Aid
• Graduate School
• Health and Medicine
• International Students
• Internships and Careers
• Majors and Academics
• Performing and Visual Arts
• Public Colleges and Universities
• Science and Engineering
• Student Life
• Transfer Students
• Why CollegeXpress
• CollegeXpress Store
• Corporate Website
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• CA and EU Privacy Policy

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?

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Tags: advanced placement AP AP classes high school academics homework studying

← Previous Post

Next Post →

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 .

Join our community of over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information. Swipe left if you're not interested.

Manhattanville University

Purchase, NY

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Belmont University

Nashville, TN

Felician University

Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ

Geneva College

Beaver Falls, PA

Bradley University

University of Delaware

The Catholic University of America

Washington, DC

University of Montana

Missoula, MT

New England Institute of Technology

East Greenwich, RI

Grace College

Winona Lake, IN

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY

University of Dallas

Kettering University

University of Cincinnati

Cincinnati, OH

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA

Elon University

Agnes Scott College

Atlanta, GA

Alabama State University

Montgomery, AL

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK

University of Colorado Denver

That's it for now!

Joseph Johnsly

High School Class of 2021

It's an honor for me to be writing to share a little about my experience with CollegeXpress. I've been using CollegeXpress for about a year now, and the reason why I chose it is because it provides astonishing scholarships for every student around the globe. Besides that, this organization dispenses all the information necessary to help students get to college. CollegeXpress has helped me have an easier experience with applying to colleges and choosing the best fit for myself.

High School Class of 2019

My favorite feature of CollegeXpress is the scholarship search. As someone going out of state for college, I needed all the financial help I could get, and CollegeXpress helped me easily find scholarships I could apply for to help fund my education.

Asia Stockdale

CollegeXpress helped me overcome a huge hurdle. Because of the small town I live in, I felt like I would never achieve more. I felt like I could never go beyond because of costs. I feared I wouldn’t be able to find scholarships. I had no idea of where to start. With CollegeXpress, I easily found scholarships—they came to me. It was a helper, and I was instantly matched with opportunities to go above and beyond educationally.

CollegeXpress has helped me greatly during my college search. I used their college search feature often and it helped in comparing schools I was looking at. Now that I’ve found a college the scholarship search feature is helping me find a way to find my college experience. CollegeXpress has many helpful features and resources for anyones college search, it truly is a wonderful tool for anyone entering college level!

High School Class of 2023

Being a sophomore in high school, I never really worried about college. I thought it wasn't important to worry about until senior year. Through this program opportunity I came across, I realized how important it is to start looking at colleges early and start planning ahead. CollegeXpress has opened my eyes to what colleges require, what colleges are near me, and what they offer. The daily emails I get from CollegeXpress really help me look at the different options I have and what colleges I fit into. Without this website, I would not be taking the time out of my day to worry about what my future will be nor what opportunities I have. I could not be more grateful for such an amazing and useful website. It's thanks to CollegeXpress that not only me but my family now know how much potential I have in to getting into these colleges/universities that we thought were out of my reach.

Personalize your experience on CollegeXpress.

With this information, we'll display content relevant to your interests. By subscribing, you agree to receive CollegeXpress emails and to make your information available to colleges, scholarship programs, and other companies that have relevant/related offers.

Already have an account?

Log in to be directly connected to

Not a CollegeXpress user?

Don't want to register.

Provide your information below to connect with

What Is The Difference Between AP And Honors Classes? Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Oct 26, 2023, 2:02pm

First-year college applications have risen sharply in recent years, according to a 2023 Common App report . This means incoming first-years must know how to stand out against the competition, including which classes to take.

Doing well in advanced classes, like Advanced Placement® (AP) and honors classes, signals that you know how to take on academic challenges, giving you a leg up against your peers who took less rigorous classes in high school.

While both AP and honors classes provide opportunities for high school students to tackle more challenging coursework and learn valuable skills essential for college, these two types of classes have some important differences. Here’s what to know about the differences between AP and honors classes, including how to know which classes are right for you based on your academic strengths, interests and goals.

Why You Can Trust Forbes Advisor Education

Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.

• Over 3,868 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities analyzed nationwide
• 52 reputable tech bootcamp providers evaluated for our rankings
• All content is fact-checked and updated on an annual basis
• Rankings undergo five rounds of fact-checking
• Only 7.12% of all colleges, universities and bootcamp providers we consider are awarded

What Is The Difference Between AP And Honors Classes?

AP and honors classes are both advanced high school classes, and grades in both types of classes are typically weighted higher compared to lower-level high school classes. However, AP classes are standardized and may award college credit, unlike honors courses.

How Do AP Classes Work?

AP classes are developed by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT® and PSAT®. These classes are standardized, meaning every AP student completes the same college-level curriculum regardless of where they attend school. AP classes are generally considered more challenging than typical high school courses and cover a broad variety of subjects.

Each AP class culminates in a subject-specific exam. Students’ AP exam scores determine whether they can earn college credit for their AP classes.

How Do Honors Classes Work?

Honors classes operate differently than AP classes in that they are not standardized on a national level. School districts, administrators and teachers decide which honors curricula to use and which subjects to cover. There’s no guarantee students in an honors class are exposed to the same material as those in a similar honors class at a different school. As a result, colleges don’t grant credit for honors classes.

Most schools also weigh AP classes higher than honors, so a student who does well in an AP course will earn a higher grade point average (GPA) than one who excels in an honors course.

AP Classes: An Overview

AP classes are college-level courses available to high school students. These classes span various subjects, including arts, English, history, social sciences, math, computer science, science, world cultures and languages. AP courses are academically rigorous, designed to expose students to college-level work and develop their skills in intellectual writing, critical thinking and time management.

Any student can take an AP course, but some high schools require students to take prerequisites or pass a placement test first. High schools also vary in which AP courses they offer. Homeschooled students or those whose high schools don’t offer AP courses can look to other local schools or find authorized online providers to complete AP coursework.

Every AP class has a corresponding, subject-specific AP exam. Many colleges grant credit to students who perform well on their AP exams. Colleges may even offer these students advanced placement, meaning they can be placed into higher-level classes during their first year of college.

However, even if you don’t pass the exam, taking an AP course signals to college admissions officers that you’re not afraid to challenge yourself. Research by the College Board shows that students who take AP courses are more likely to attend college and graduate on time than those who don’t.

What Are AP Exams?

AP exams are standardized tests administered annually at the end of each AP class. Most exams take two to three hours to complete and are divided into two sections: multiple-choice and free response. A panel of experienced AP teachers and college professors grade the free response sections.

AP exam scores range from 1 to 5. Generally speaking, a score of 3 on an AP exam is considered high enough for colleges to grant credit, but scoring standards and credit awards vary among colleges. If you’re unhappy with your score, you can retake an AP exam the following year.

You can take an AP exam without taking the corresponding course, but the College Board doesn’t recommend this method.

Advantages of Taking AP Classes

• AP courses will help you develop the organizational, time management and study skills needed to succeed in college.
• AP courses signal to college admissions officers that you’re up to the challenge of college-level coursework.
• You could earn college credit or place out of introductory college courses by performing well on AP exams.
• Many high schools weight AP classes by a full point, boosting your GPA to help you get into college .

Honors Classes: An Overview

Honors classes are advanced high school courses that cover subjects more in-depth and often at a faster pace than regular coursework. They prepare students for AP courses and help them develop effective study habits and high-level learning skills.

Some high schools offer additional weighting for honors classes, which can boost your GPA. For example, if your school weights honors chemistry by an additional half-point on a 4.0 GPA scale, earning an A—typically worth a 4.0—would result in a 4.5 on your transcript.

Advantages of Taking Honors Classes

• Honors class grades are often weighted and can boost your GPA.
• Honors classes cover similar material as regular classes, but more in-depth and at a faster pace.
• College admissions officers like to see you’ve taken more rigorous classes.

Do Colleges Prefer AP or Honors?

The answer to this question depends on your goals and where you plan to apply to college.

Colleges like to see that a student can perform well in advanced classes, and both AP and honors courses serve that purpose. Some elite colleges even look to see if you’ve taken the most challenging classes your high school offers.

Since AP courses hold high school students to a college-level standard, earning a high grade in an AP class and passing the AP exam shows admissions officers that you can succeed at the college level. You’ll likely get course credit for your achievement and the option to place out of some lower-level classes once you start college.

Honors classes also stand out to college admissions officers because they’re challenging and require academic dedication. You won’t get college credit for these courses, however.

Be careful not to overextend yourself with your course load. Taking on too many advanced classes can result in a poor performance or take your time away from extracurricular activities, which are also valuable for college admissions. Plus, a low grade on your transcript could hurt your GPA and signal that you aren’t prepared for more advanced coursework.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About AP vs Honors

Is ap harder than honors.

The answer isn’t straightforward. AP classes involve standardized, college-level curricula, while high schools develop their own curricula for honors classes. Depending on the school, an honors class could be more or less rigorous than an AP course. Check with students who’ve completed these courses at your school to understand how they compare.

Is it better to get an A in honors or B in AP?

It depends on your goal. If you’re trying to boost your GPA, most high schools weight AP course grades by up to a full point on a 4.0 GPA scale. That means a B (or a 3.0) in an AP course could be weighted the same as an A (or a 4.0) in a regular class. Not all high schools weight honors classes, but many provide half-point boost. If you’re applying to a highly selective university or are hoping to receive college credit, taking an AP course and getting a B may be better.

• Ranking The Most Affordable States For College Students
• How To Apply For College
• Should You Attend Graduate School Online?
• Choosing A Major: How To Find What Major Is Right For You
• What Accreditation Should A College Have?
• Do You Need The SAT For College Admission?
• How To Get A Free Laptop For College
• How To Transfer Universities
• Online Checklist For Students
• ACT Vs. SAT
• Are Community Colleges Free?
• Get Accepted: What Is The Average SAT Score Needed For College Admission?
• Where Can You Take CPA Courses Online?
• What’s The Difference Between A College And A University?
• The Best Ways To Learn A New Language While In College
• Is College Worth It?
• Online Dual-Degree Programs
• Can International Students Attend Online College In The U.S.?
• Online Jobs For College Students
• Preparing For Senior Year Of High School
• Weighted Vs. Unweighted GPA
• What Are AP Classes?
• What Is A Double Major?
• What Is A Good GPA In College, And Does It Matter?
• What Is A College Minor?

Back-To-School Sentiment: College Students’ Perspectives On the Academic Year Ahead

What Is The ACT Test? A Complete Guide

2024 IELTS Preparation Guide

College Application Deadlines 2024

ASVAB Study Guide 2024

How To Learn German: Tips And Tricks

Suzie loves researching, interviewing experts and breaking down complex information into understandable and actionable advice to help others improve their lives. Based in Denver, Suzie and her husband are parents to a 14-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl and two rescue dogs.

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.

More from Varsity Tutors:

• 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

More Must-Reads from TIME

• How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
• What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
• How to Read Political Polls Like a Pro
• Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
• What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
• How ‘Friendshoring’ Made Southeast Asia Pivotal to the AI Revolution
• Column: Your Cynicism Isn’t Helping Anybody
• The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024

Contact us at [email protected]

• Accessibility Training
• Anderson-Livsey ES
• Annistown ES
• Bay Creek MS
• Beaver Ridge ES
• Benefield ES
• Berkeley Lake ES
• Bethesda ES
• Brookwood ES
• Brookwood HS
• Buice Center
• Burnette ES
• Camp Creek ES
• Cedar Hill ES
• Centerville ES
• Central Gwinnett HS
• Chattahoochee ES
• Collins Hill HS
• Community Schools
• Creekland MS
• Discovery HS
• Duncan Creek ES
• Ferguson ES
• Five Forks MS
• Fort Daniel ES
• Freeman's Mill ES
• GIVE Center East
• GIVE Center West
• Grace Snell MS
• Grayson Tech
• Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology
• Gwin Oaks ES
• Gwinnett Online Campus
• International Transition Center
• IT Solutions - Test Site
• Ivy Creek ES
• Kanoheda ES
• Lawrenceville ES
• Level Creek ES
• McClure Health Science HS
• McConnell MS
• McKendree ES
• Meadowcreek ES
• Meadowcreek HS
• Mill Creek HS
• Mountain Park ES
• Mountain View HS
• Mulberry ES
• Norcross ES
• Norcross HS
• North Gwinnett HS
• North Gwinnett MS
• North Metro Academy
• Northbrook MS
• Oakland Meadow
• Parkview HS
• Paul Duke STEM HS
• Peachtree ES
• Peachtree Ridge HS
• Pinckneyville MS
• Puckett's Mill ES
• Richards MS
• Riverside ES
• Rock Springs ES
• Rockbridge ES
• School of the Arts
• Seckinger HS
• Simonton ES
• Snellville MS
• South Gwinnett HS
• Starling ES
• Stripling ES
• Sugar Hill ES
• Summerour MS
• Sweetwater MS
• Sycamore ES
• Twin Rivers MS
• Walnut Grove ES
• White Oak ES
• Winn Holt ES
• Woodward Mill ES

Parkview High School

Tradition, Pride, Success

• AP Frequently Asked Questions
• College Credit Options

Page Navigation

• Dual Enrollment
• AP Exam Registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Content accordion, what is an ap course.

An AP course is comparable to a course taught at any college or university.  AP courses are much more rigorous than high school college prep courses.  In all AP courses, students learn how to think critically and write clearly.

Committee members, sponsored by the College Board, put together a set of topics and objectives for each AP course.  Our AP teachers use these topics and objectives as a guideline for their curriculum.  The AP exams which are administered during the first weeks of May are comprised of problems from these objectives.  If a student passes an AP exam, then he/she may receive college credit.

In order to be permitted to use College Board's AP designation, all Parkview AP teachers have submitted syllabi for their courses, which have been approved by College Board.

Why take an AP course?

Earn college credit and advanced placement.

• Receive recognition from more than 3,600 colleges and universities that annually receive AP Exam scores. Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores.
• Have time to move into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue a double major, or study abroad.
• Design a college experience that suits you and gives you the flexibility to get the most out of your college years.

Stand Out in the College Admissions Process

• Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.
• Show your willingness to take the most rigorous courses available to you.
• Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.

Gain Skills that Will Help You Succeed in College

• Get a head start on college-level work.
• Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques.
• Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.

Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons

• Be part of a community of students and educators who are passionate, curious, and committed to academic excellence
• Engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively
• Take courses that are developed by leading professors to reflect the level of learning happening at colleges throughout the country.

(from Explore AP from the College Board)

Are AP classes hard?

Advanced Placement courses are just that: advanced. So, expect a challenge. You might find that your grade is lower than you are used to in an honors or CP class, and for that reason Gwinnett County Schools gives students ten extra points at the end of each semester’s AP class grade. A grade of 75 becomes an 85 at the end of the semester with the ten points added, for example.

How much homework will I have?

Expect to have more work each night than in non-AP courses, often an hour for each AP course for each hour spent in class. Students who  have a job and work more than 20 hours a week or spend more than three hours a day with extracurricular activities or sports will find time management a challenge.

How many AP courses can / should I take?

While colleges look for students to challenge themselves with AP courses, it is also important to consider what you are comfortable with. Some highly motivated, high achieving students can manage five and six AP courses while other students may find two to three to be an appropriate challenge for them. 

How do I earn college and high school credit by taking an AP course?

By enrolling in and passing each semester of an AP course, you earn high school credit. In order to receive college credit, you must take the AP exam in that course in May and earn a 3 or higher. You must check with the college you are interested in attending to know what they accept for credit.  Link to college board site with more information on earning credit.

Does it cost anything to take an AP course?

While there is no fee for the class, there is a fee for the test. Currently, students may take their first test for only and administrative fee of $10; every other test they take that year is $91. So, if you are taking three AP classes this year, you would pay $10+$91+91. Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch also get a reduction on their test fees. 

How does taking an AP course affect my HOPE Scholarship chances?

HOPE Scholarships require a 3.0 average. In consideration of the HOPE Scholarship, the extra ten points awarded by GCPS are taken away, and HOPE calculates the grade with an extra .5 points. So, if your grade in the course is an 85, with the ten points you get a 95. Hope re-calculates this so that your 85 is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and for taking the AP course they give you an extra .5, which would make your HOPE grade a 3.5.

• Questions or Feedback? |
• Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated) |

Time on Homework per AP

How much time do you spend on homework per AP class you take? For example, how much time would you spend on homework each day with 1 AP, 2 AP’s 3 AP’s, 4 AP’s, etc.

That will be dependent upon the AP class and the teacher - there is not standard. IME, assuming a yearlong course that meets daily for 45-50 minutes, the more time intensive APs, like Calc, Chem are about 45-60 minutes per night and the less intensive classes like psych or gov are 20-30 minutes per night.

I take 2 APs and the rest honors: Chinese III Honors: 3 hrs/wk Chemistry Honors: 3 hrs/wk (+ <8 hr/wk if there is a test) AP Euro: 20-60 min/night (+3 hr/wk if there is a test) World Lit Honors: <40min/wk if there are no essays or projects AP Computer Science Principles: typically finish homework @ school, but occasionally I will have homework that will take <2 hr/wk Algebra II Honors: 10-90 min/night (+3 hr/wk for quiz, +6 hr/wk for test) Lifeguard Training (PE class): typically there is no hw, but if there is, <10 min/night

@skieurope is right in that the time will vary.

However, I am in one AP right now: World History, and for me, it depends on the day. On days when I have homework, it takes around forty to eighty minutes. However, around sixty percent of the class days have homework, so I don’t always have it.

Have a good day!

I’m currently taking AP Calculus BC and AP Psych. I typically have over an hour a night for AP Calc and about two hours a week for AP Psych, depending on the week.

This is/was for me, personally, on a typical weeknight: APES: none AP Psych: 30 mins AP World: 30 mins AP Physics 1: 20 mins AP Computer Science Principles: none AP Calc AB: 10 mins AP US History: 40 mins AP Spanish Lang: none AP US Gov: none AP Chem: none or 90 mins AP Lit: 40 mins

This was just me, my teachers, and my school. I’m a fast worker, and I tend to finish things in class or at school. Additionally, if homework isn’t graded and I fully understand the concept, I don’t do it. Everyone is different, so do not assume your experience will be the same as mine.

A typical semester long college course nominally has a workload of about 12 hours per week, including in-class and out-of-class time.

So a high school AP course that covers a semester’s worth of college course material over a year (e.g. psychology, statistics) should have a workload of about 6 hours per week. If the in-class time is about 4 hours per week, it should have about 2 hours per week of reading, homework, and studying outside of class.

But a high school AP course that covers two semesters’ worth of college course material over a year (e.g. calculus BC) should have a workload of about 12 hours per week. If the in-class time is about 4 hours per week, it should have about 8 hours per week of reading, homework, and studying outside of class.

However, actual time spent on college courses is somewhat less than nominal for most (lab courses, computer science courses with programming, art studio, and music performance are commonly among the exceptions), so actual time spent on AP courses covering the same material may be somewhat less than nominal-equivalent as well.

There can also be variation in that some instructors can make the course more or less work than typical.

• Science and Math Textbooks
• STEM Educators and Teaching
• STEM Academic Advising
• STEM Career Guidance

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• Science Education and Careers

AP Class Workload: How Much Homework?

• Thread starter jbmiller
• Start date Apr 17, 2012
• Tags Ap Classes
• Apr 17, 2012
• Optoelectronic diamond device reveals an unexpected phenomenon reminiscent of lightning in slow motion
• Entangled photon pairs enable hidden image encoding
• Major leap for nuclear clock paves way for ultraprecise timekeeping

I haven't done the AP but an educated guess (I've had a brief stint in an IB program and I did the A-Levels) is that it likely won't be too hard, while being challenging enough. AP courses will usually cover more ground than your usual high school courses but again, remember that they are aimed at high school students, so it can't be *that* hard. Don't worry about it to much. Cross the bridge when you get to it. Or swim to the other side. (lame, but I couldn't help it :P)  

It's hard relative to a normal high school student. They are comparable to intro college courses, which for some subjects is not trivial. And I think the humanity type AP's are harder than their college counterparts  

Thanks for the feedback. So do you guys think you could give me a rough estimate of how much homework would be involved?  

A PF Molecule

The amount of homework you'll get for your AP classes depends entirely on the teachers, but you do have to do some work to get 5's on the AP test. I didn't/haven't found them very difficult, but it really depends on you and whether or not you want to put in the necessary amount of work to be successful. If you're dedicated to doing well in them, you can do well in the class and on the test. Another factor to consider is the number of AP classes you'll be taking. If you take a lot in one year, then you can expect a substantial increase in workload relative to not taking any AP classes.  

That helps a lot Lambda, thanks. This year I wasn't quite dedicated and frankly I didn't really care about any of my subjects. Next year things will change drasctically, I'm already excited about my classes next year. All of my friends are talking about how they can't wait til summer and I just tell them how ecstatic I am for the following years. I will be taking 6 AP classes, and I plan to get a GPA in the range of 3.9+ in the next 3 years. As for the AP test, can you give me a mental picture of what the test are like?  

A PF SuperCluster

jbmiller said: As for the AP test, can you give me a mental picture of what the test are like?

It depends on which AP class you take and what your teacher is like. The only AP class I took in high school was AP Langauge & Literature. It was more or less comparable to a college-level English class. It was also more serious work and less busywork than a regular high school class.  

FAQ: AP Class Workload: How Much Homework?

1. how much homework can i expect to have in an ap class.

The amount of homework in an AP class can vary depending on the subject and the teacher. However, on average, you can expect to have 1-2 hours of homework per night.

2. Will I have more homework in an AP class compared to a regular class?

Yes, AP classes are designed to be more challenging and rigorous than regular classes. This means that you will likely have more homework and assignments to complete.

3. How can I manage the workload in an AP class?

To manage the workload in an AP class, it is important to stay organized and prioritize your assignments. Make a schedule and set aside specific times for studying and completing homework. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your teacher or classmates if you are struggling with the workload.

4. Is it possible to have too much homework in an AP class?

Yes, it is possible to have too much homework in an AP class. It is important to communicate with your teacher if you feel overwhelmed by the workload. They may be able to provide additional support or adjust the workload to make it more manageable.

5. How can I balance the workload in an AP class with my other commitments?

Balancing the workload in an AP class with other commitments, such as extracurricular activities or a part-time job, can be challenging. It is important to prioritize your responsibilities and manage your time effectively. This may involve making sacrifices, such as cutting back on certain activities, to ensure that you are able to keep up with the workload in your AP class.

Similar threads

• Apr 6, 2017
• Jan 22, 2016
• Feb 1, 2016
• Feb 14, 2017
• Feb 18, 2022
• Jan 14, 2017
• Aug 11, 2018
• Apr 7, 2014
• Feb 27, 2015
• May 17, 2015

Hot Threads

• Schools   Which University should I go to for my undergrad in physics?
• Other   What's the point of a thesis?
• Programs   Help me decide: physics or chemistry?
• Courses   Should I withdraw from a class?
• 2nd BSc or MSc in physics for physics-PhD in top program in USA

Recent Insights

• Insights   Brownian Motions and Quantifying Randomness in Physical Systems
• Insights   PBS Video Comment: “What If Physics IS NOT Describing Reality”
• Insights   Aspects Behind the Concept of Dimension in Various Fields
• Insights   Views On Complex Numbers
• Insights   Addition of Velocities (Velocity Composition) in Special Relativity
• Insights   Schrödinger’s Cat and the Qbit

View Your AP Scores

Follow the instructions below to sign in to your College Board account and view your AP scores.

Go to Score Reporting

Instructions, check that you can sign in to your college board account..

Make sure that you remember your login credentials by signing in before scores are released in July. This is the same account that you use to access My AP or other College Board resources.

Make sure we have your current email address.

If you’ve changed your email address, update it in your account.

Don’t create a new account if you already have one.

Duplicate accounts can cause delays in getting your AP scores. Sign in with the same account you used to register and enroll in AP class sections.

Do I have to create a College Board account each time I want to view or send my AP scores?

No. Once you’ve created a College Board account, you’ll be able to use that account to view or send your AP scores. If you’ve taken other College Board assessments such as the SAT, you probably already have a College Board account. Don’t create more than one account; this could delay your scores. If you change your email address, make sure you update your account. 

Your score report includes all your AP scores from any exams you’ve taken in the past. If you took your last AP Exam before 2018, your AP scores are no longer viewable in our score reporting system. They have been archived and can only be sent to a college, university, or scholarship program through a request made via mail or fax.  

What should I do if I have problems signing in to my account?

Visit the Troubleshooting section in Account Help .

If you need additional help, contact AP Services for Students.

Does my score report show my scores for all the AP Exams I’ve ever taken?

Your score report will include all your AP scores from any exams you’ve taken in the past. It also includes all AP awards and recognitions you may have earned in the past. If you took your last AP Exam before 2018, your AP scores are no longer viewable in our online score reporting system. They’ve been archived and can only be sent to a college, university, or scholarship program through a request made via mail or fax.

Will my previous scores be included in my score report?

Yes. Your score report includes all your scores from all the AP Exams you took in the past. Your entire score history will be sent to your designated college, university, or scholarship program unless you choose to  withhold  or  cancel  any of your scores. 

When you look at your online score report, check that it’s complete. Some scores may take longer to process because of later testing dates or other circumstances (e.g., late arrival of testing materials or extra time needed to match records). We’ll email you when your score is added to your score report. 

If you notice that exams that you took  last year or earlier are missing, it might be because you have multiple accounts. To resolve a multiple account issue, contact AP Services for Students. During score release in July, AP Services for Students will have longer than usual response times. 

If you took your last AP Exam before 2018, your AP scores are no longer viewable in our online score reporting system. They have been archived and can only be sent to a college, university or scholarship program through a  request made via mail or fax.  

Some of my exams are missing from my score report. What do I do?

If you don’t see all the exams you took this year listed in your score report, please note that some scores may take longer to process because of later testing dates or other circumstances. We’ll email you when your score is added to your score report. If you don’t receive your scores by August 15, contact AP Services for Students.

If you notice that exams that you took last year or earlier are missing, it might be because you have multiple accounts. To resolve a multiple account issue, contact AP Services for Students. Please note that during score release in July, AP Services for Students will have longer than usual response times.

If you took your last AP Exam before 2018, your scores are archived. Archived scores are not viewable in our score reporting system and can only be sent to a college, university, or scholarship program through a request made via mail or fax.

Some of my scores are not yet available. What do I do?

Although most scores are available in July, some scores may take longer to process because of later testing dates or other circumstances (e.g., late arrival of testing materials or extra time needed to match records). 

We’ll email you when your score is added to your score report. If you don’t receive your scores by August 15, contact AP Services for Students. 

If you designated a college or university score recipient using your free score send , that institution will receive the scores that were available at the time the score report was generated. As your other scores become available, they will automatically be sent to that college or university. 

If you requested additional score reports for other institutions and delayed scores come in, your delayed scores will automatically be sent to these other institutions as well. This only applies to colleges or universities that you designated to receive scores from the current exam year. 

How do I save a copy of my AP score report?

A downloadable version of your score report is available in AP Scores for Students in PDF format. This is an unofficial copy of your score report intended for your own records. To send an official score report to a college, university, or scholarship program, you’ll need to sign in to AP Scores for Students and order one.

How do I order my free-response booklets?

If you’ve taken an AP Exam and want to review your answers to the free-response section, you can ask us to send your free-response booklet to you for a fee of $10 per available booklet. Fill out the Free-Response Booklet Request Form and return it by September 15 of the year you took the AP Exam(s).

Only booklets from the most recent exam administration are available, and only if the free-response content is released on the College Board website. No comments, corrections, or scores are included with the booklets. Free-response booklets are not rescored, and a score may not be appealed.

Free-response booklets can be requested for paper and pencil exams and AP Chinese and AP Japanese Language and Culture Exams only.

How do I request a rescore of the multiple-choice section of my exam?

For a fee of $30 per exam, you may request to have your multiple-choice answer sheet rescored by hand. Fill out the Multiple-Choice Rescore Service Form and return it by October 31 of the year you took the AP Exam(s).

Rescores may result in higher or lower scores than first reported, or no change at all. Results are final and will automatically be re-reported to all designated score recipients if there was a change. You will receive a letter confirming the results of the rescore 6–8 weeks after your request is received. You can't appeal or reorder a multiple-choice rescore. The free-response section is not rescored.

The multiple-choice rescore service can be requested for paper and pencil exams and AP Chinese and AP Japanese Language and Culture Exams only.

I submitted a request to send my archived scores. When can I expect scores to be sent?

Your archived AP score report will be sent by first-class mail to the institution(s) you designated on the AP Archived Score Request form within 15 business days of receipt of your request (overnight/express mailing service is not available). A confirmation copy of your AP score report will also be sent to your mailing address within the same timeframe.

College Board can’t confirm if and when your archived score report is received by your designated institution. Contact your college or university directly to confirm their receipt of your archived scores. Note: Archived score request orders are not reflected on the AP Scores website.

How do I update my information?

Sign in  to My AP and navigate to My AP Profile to make any changes. If your first name, last name, middle initial, or date of birth need to be changed, contact AP Services at 888-225-5427 (toll free in the United States and Canada) or 212-632-1780. You can’t change these pieces of information yourself. 

If you make changes to any other information in your AP Profile, you’ll also need to sign in to your College Board account to make the same changes—the changes don’t automatically transfer from My AP to your College Board account.  

What is an AP number and where can I find it?

If you last took AP Exams in 2019 or earlier, you received an AP number—a unique eight-digit number that served as your official identifier for the exam administration. We used the AP number to associate you with your scores. You received a different AP number in your AP Student Pack each year you took AP Exams. Your AP number can be found on the downloadable PDF version of your score report in AP Scores for Students. If you can’t find your AP number, contact AP Services for Students using the information listed below.

AP ID replaced the AP number in 2020. (See  What is an AP ID? ).

Which browsers work best for creating a College Board account, joining my class section in My AP, using the AP Classroom resources, and viewing and sending scores?

We recommend using the latest version of Chrome or Safari. The latest versions of Firefox and Edge are also supported. 

How is my mailing address used?

Your mailing address should match the address you provided when you created your College Board account. Your mailing address is used to help match your records in our systems and confirm your identity when contacting customer service.

Is my personal information safe online?

Your privacy is very important to us, so we’ve put several measures in place to protect any personal information that you give us. Learn more about College Board’s online privacy protection by reading our Privacy Policy .

Get the Reddit app

The highschool subreddit is a dynamic online community where students connect, share experiences, and seek advice. It's filled with engaging discussions on academics, extracurriculars, college prep, and social life. Find valuable tips, resources, relatable moments, and unforgettable high school moments in this vibrant hub of students all over the world. Share ideas, ask for advice and interact with your demographic here at r/highschool.

Those of you who don’t take AP classes, how much homework do you have a night?

Also when do you do your homework? And i guess for some people in this subreddit i also need to ask how much of it do you do a night?

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue