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What is the Hardest AP Class? Find Out Which Exam is Toughest to Pass
Author:
Dallas Hardwick
Feb 18, 2025
7 min
Table of contents
What Are the Hardest AP Classes?
AP classes are designed to challenge high school students with college-level coursework. However, not all AP exams are equally difficult. Some have notoriously low pass rates, making them much harder to score well on. If you’re wondering what the hardest AP classes are and which are the easiest AP classes, then this guide will break down the toughest AP exams based on 2024 score distributions and expert insights.
What Are the Hardest AP Classes?
To give you accurate insights, we’ve taken the liberty of analyzing AP exam pass rates from 2024. There are more than 3 exams that proved challenging for all examinees. Let’s take a look at each of them in our breakdown. The hardest AP exams with the lowest pass rates:
1. AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Unsurprisingly, AP Physics 1 proved to be the most difficult exam to pass for the majority of students. Unlike the other courses, which primarily challenge your memory when taking their exams, this course genuinely needs you to understand what you’re doing. Plus, you need to apply your knowledge extensively to answer unfamiliar scenarios.
- Pass Rate: 47.3%
- Mean Score: 2.59
Common difficulties that most examinees will face:
- Experimental design questions
- Quantitative analysis (especially hard for students without an advanced math background)
- A Free-response section that demands clear explanations, accurate calculations, and coherent justifications using diagrams.
Before attempting to take this exam, you’ll need to develop your algebra skills extensively. You’ll need to practice your problem-solving skills by frequently challenging them. You’ll also need to learn to become more methodical when handling experiments and lab work.
Learn from your supervisors and peers. Research and do lots of self-study. The internet can always help you.
2. AP Environmental Science
AP Environmental Science may not seem as mathematically complex as other STEM subjects but it still proved to be a challenge in these 2024 AP exams. Most students might underestimate it, but it requires you to execute accurate analysis using data and is interdisciplinary at its core. You’ll need to be flexible in your thinking and be dynamic. You need to know how to piece things together.
- Pass Rate: 54.1%
- Mean Score: 2.80
Common difficulties that most examinees will face:
- Data interpretation and using complex scientific studies, stats, and graphs
- Students must give structured responses that are backed coherently by evidence
- Need to use multiple disciplines: chemistry, earth science, biology, and physics
To excel here, you’ll have to do a few things. You should focus on developing your memorization skills. You have to strengthen your critical thinking. Plus, you’ll need to practice becoming a concise and factual writer. Practice your skills in synthesizing information under time limits. You’ll develop a keen ability to use information effectively and quickly by doing this.
3. AP English Language and Composition
With AP English Language and Composition, examinees are tested in their analytical skills and rhetorical capabilities. The exam demands sharp reading comprehension, strong essay-writing skills, and the ability to be persuasive.
- Pass Rate: 54.6%
- Mean Score: 2.79
Common difficulties that most examinees will face:
- Reading and understanding complex texts that can be archaic at times
- Finishing a three-essay format, which includes a Synthesis essay, Rhetorical analysis, and Argumentative essay
To pass this exam, dedicate some time to reading frequently. Practice how you do in timed essay drills. Master rhetorical strategies, breaking down arguments, recognizing literary devices, and mastering your persuasive writing abilities. You should be well-prepared after going through these motions repeatedly.
4. AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography seems to have presented students with its own set of challenges, even though it might seem like an easier course compared to the ones we’ve broken down already. The course asks examinees to have in-depth knowledge of cultural, political, and economic patterns. You’ll also need to analyze and interpret maps, models, and spatial data.
- Pass Rate: 56.1%
- Mean Score: 2.83
Common difficulties that most examinees will face:
- Having to memorize large amounts of theories and terminology
- Apply demographics models to real-time situations
- A multiple-choice section that demands high accuracy and quick recall
- Free-response questions that test precision and ability to use evidence
Hone your skills in memorization, pattern recognition, and analytical thinking. You should also spend time developing your map-reading skills. What’s more, you should practice your skills in demographic analysis.
5. AP U.S. History (APUSH)
This exam is one of the most content-heavy ones among all of them. It demands students to remember a colossal amount of information (spanning hundreds of years). The exam requires you to use persuasive writing and primary source analysis, amongst other things.
- Pass Rate: 52.2%
- Mean Score: 3.23
Common difficulties that most examinees will face:
- Demands students to execute heavy factual recall concerning information spanning the colonial era to modern times
- Demands interpretation of historical documents
- Writing long-form essays that require well-developed historical arguments
You’ll need to devote a lot of time to studying your material. You should take notes effectively and develop a deep understanding of all key information. Practice essay writing and time yourself while analyzing documents. This will help you become more prepared when taking the rigorous test.
What Are AP Classes?
AP (Advanced Placement) classes offer college-level coursework to high school students. High school students who take AP classes and the hardest AP classes usually do it to hopefully earn college credit.
It also places them academically further than their peers. AP courses cover a wide range of subjects, as you’ve already seen. You’ve got AP courses ranging from STEM to Humanities. An AP exam is scored on a 1-5 scale. One being the lowest score and five being the highest.
Why Take AP Classes?
There are a few strong reasons why you should take AP classes. While they might be challenging and downright frustrating, they are ultimately beneficial for your entire academic life.
- Stronger College Applications: Colleges will notice students who took AP coursework and potentially value them more. It shows you’re committed and not afraid to challenge yourself.
- Potential College Credit: Scoring a 3, 4, or 5 may allow students to skip introductory college courses.
- Better Academic Preparedness: All that studying will inevitably help you become better at school. You’ll have the chance to improve many skills like critical thinking and time management.
- GPA booster: AP coursework can help boost your GPA.
And don’t fret: some courses are difficult, but some courses are less demanding and can be overcome with some effort.
Easiest AP Classes
We’ve taken a look at what are the hardest AP classes. Now, it’s time to see which AP classes are potentially easier.
1. AP Psychology
- Pass Rate: 71.7%
- Why it’s easier: Content might be more engaging to students than other subjects. This test has straightforward multiple-choice questions and demands minimal math skills.
2. AP Computer Science Principles
- Pass Rate: 67%
- Why it’s easier: It’s more of an introductory course. Introductory coding knowledge. An average amount of problem-solving is required and the exam doesn’t demand any advanced math from students.
3. AP Art History
- Pass Rate: 63.1%
- Why it’s easier: Content is visual and more narrative-based than others. These elements might spike up student engagement, and that, in turn, might make them more motivated during study time. It also requires analysis and not just pure memorization.
While an ‘easy’ or ‘difficult’ subject is relative to each student, these courses might prove to be more manageable than the others. So, why not take a closer look at them in your own time?
It might also be a good strategy to mix easy AP classes with harder courses. This could help you maintain a strong GPA and boost your transcript.
Valuable Tips for All Students
Overcoming the hardest AP classes and taking AP exams in general is an overwhelming experience. If you want to streamline your experience a tad bit and be less frustrated during the entire process, here are some pointers:
- Start Early: Rule one is to study early and never at the last minute. This rule alone will save you a lot of frustration.
- Practice Timed Tests: We’ve mentioned this already, but don’t forget to practice taking tests under time constraints. ‘Mock exam’ yourself. This tip can thoroughly prepare you for the real thing. There’s nothing better than experience to back you up.
- Use AP Study Guides & Online Resources: Websites like Khan Academy, College Board, and YouTube offer free study materials.
- Focus on Free-Response Questions (FRQs): Many examinees struggle with these. Practicing them outside of the test can help you.
- Know Your Strengths: If you’re strong in writing, AP English and History might be better choices for you. If you’re good in math, AP Physics and Calculus could be better options.
How To Select AP Classes
When you’re choosing AP classes, you should have your future major in mind. The classes you take should align with your goals and visions. You should also consider the workload balance. You should also research colleges’ AP credit policies. This will enlighten you on which exams can earn you credits and so on.
How Many AP Classes Should You Take?
Top students might take 10+ APs. However, most colleges don’t typically require that many. Here’s a general breakdown for your convenience:
- Freshman Year: 0-1 AP (if available at your school)
- Sophomore Year: 1-2 APs
- Junior Year: 3-4 APs
- Senior Year: 3-5
Students who aim for Ivy League schools and top-tier universities can have 7-12 AP classes throughout their time in high school. But at the end of the day, quality always matters more than quantity.
The Impact of AP Scores on College Admissions
Colleges will weigh AP scores differently. While Ivy League schools expect strong AP coursework, other colleges might be more relaxed. Even so, good AP scores will never hurt you.
Most Rewarding AP Classes for College and Beyond
You should note that some AP courses can be beneficial for you beyond school.
- AP Statistics: Strengthens your skills in business, economics, and social sciences.
- AP Computer Science A: This can help you prepare if you want to pursue careers in coding and technology fields.
- AP U.S. Government and Politics: This can prove to be beneficial for law, civic awareness, and public service.
- AP Psychology: This can be useful for nursing, education, marketing, and business.
- AP Research: This can be extremely useful if you’re interested in graduate school and research-based careers.
The AP curriculum can be different for each student – the most rewarding AP classes for you can be:
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Environmental Science Test
- AP Chemistry
- AP United States History
- AP Biology Class
- AP English Literature
It’s always better to start honing your skills early.
So… Are AP Classes Worth It?
Yes, they’re worth it. AP courses not only strengthen your prospects of getting into a good college, but they can also help you improve skills that you’ll need later on in your professional life. Whether you're taking AP calculus, AP biology or AP language classes, the right AP classes will develop the necessary skills for the future.
It doesn’t matter if you’re taking the hardest AP classes or the easiest ones, as long as you’re taking the right ones that are relevant to your aims.
