which ap course is most useful for graduate school

by Tia Powlowski 10 min read

AP Computer Science Principles is rated as the easiest AP class by real AP class alumnae, with an average difficulty rating of just 2.8 / 10 (1 = easiest), though the 2021 pass rate of 67% is not especially high. Computer Science Principles: the easiest AP class The easiest AP classes – ranked by student difficulty ratings

Full Answer

What are the most popular AP courses online?

Mar 21, 2020 · #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 ...

Do AP courses help students succeed in college?

Apr 06, 2022 · I would definitely recommend taking bio and chem. Physics is not as important as the other classes, so unless you really want to take it, I wouldn’t take the ap course, a normal accelerated class will be enough. Also if possible, I would recommend not taking ap chem and ap bio in the same year.

What grade level do you take AP classes?

Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, examined those questions in a new research paper that reviews more than 20 studies on AP courses. While the findings aren't black and white, they suggest that educators, parents and students should think carefully about such classes. The new paper investigates whether ...

What are the most time-consuming AP classes to study?

Apr 22, 2013 · Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, examined those questions in a new research paper that reviews more than 20 studies on AP courses. While the findings ...

What AP classes should I take to get into medical school?

Best AP classes for Pre Med studentsAP Biology.AP Chemistry.AP Physics 1.AP Physics 2.AP Calculus B/C.May 22, 2020

What is the best AP class to take?

When Should I Take AP Classes?GradeRecommended Number of AP Classes to TakeRecommended AP Classes11th Grade3-5English, Calculus AB, Biology, Spanish (or other foreign language), U.S. Government and Politics12th Grade3-6Chemistry, Physics C, Calculus BC2 more rows•Sep 8, 2021

What AP classes do colleges like the most?

Translation? If you are going for the most competitive colleges, you should take the toughest core courses available at your school—including AP English Literature and/or Language, Calculus or Statistics (or both!), US, World, or European History, and at least one of the sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics).Mar 21, 2020

How many AP classes should I graduate with?

Depending on what kind of school you want to go to, you should be taking between 3 and 5 AP® classes this year. You will need to manage your time well, however, as you also need to study for the SAT® or ACT® during this time.Mar 1, 2022

Which AP class is the easiest?

AP Computer Science Principles Based on user ratings, it was rated as the #1 easiest AP class. To easily learn the concepts in this class, we offer a free AP Comp Sci Principles guide to help you study and ace that exam.Feb 23, 2022

Which is the hardest AP class?

AP Physics 1 is considered one of the hardest AP classes, covering topics like Newtonian mechanics and electrical charge and force. Students also spend about 25% of their class time performing college-level lab experiments and writing reports.Aug 31, 2021

How do I choose an AP course?

Research the AP policies at your prospective colleges to maximize score thresholds and awarded credit amounts. Investigate thematically similar courses that can help you demonstrate an area of expertise. Select AP classes that draw on skills you already possess.Jul 22, 2019

Is 2 AP classes enough?

AP classes, while if you're aiming for less-selective schools, 2 or 3 would be enough. (This truly is the most important year to take the most rigorous classes that you can AND do well in them!!)Dec 5, 2018

Do colleges prefer AP or honors?

Colleges like them both. Both honors and AP courses are rigorous courses that most high schools weight more heavily on your transcript. AP courses, however, culminate in the AP Exam. Good AP scores show colleges you are ready to succeed at college-level work and can even earn you college credits.

Do AP classes help you get into college?

AP classes can boost your GPA and strengthen your college application. But the number of advanced courses you choose to take should depend on your academic interests and your schedule.

What are the easiest AP classes to take in high school?

The Three Easiest AP ClassesAP Psychology. With a reputation as one of the easiest AP classes, it comes as no surprise that AP Psychology is also one of the most popular—288,511 students took the exam in 2021. ... AP Comparative Government and Politics. ... AP Environmental Science.Jan 24, 2022

Is 6 AP classes too much?

Taking up to 6 AP courses total in high school (1-2 per year) steadily increases a student's likelihood of earning a bachelor's degree on-time in 4 years, in contrast to the majority of American college students, who incur the costs of taking >4 years to earn their degree.

How many advanced placement courses has Rebecca taken?

Rebecca has taken 11 Advanced Placement courses and has a ton of inside information to share. Here's her guide on all your AP choices, from Math to English and everything in between.

What is AP Physics 1?

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based. This is a class that students should highly consider if they are at all interested in engineering. AP Physics 1 can be very challenging and requires quite a bit of math, so if you shy away from equations, this class may not be the right fit for you.

Is statistics a good class?

Statistics is a great class for those who are interested in biology or economics especially. It is mostly calculator based and doesn’t require too much algebraic thinking. This class can be taken by almost anyone in any grade level, although it might be a bit tricky for freshmen as a first-time AP class.

Is AP Chem hard?

AP Chem is a difficult class, but it’s worth it if you are at all interested in the sciences. The labs are very fun, and the subject matter is also really interesting. There is more math involved in this one than in AP Bio, but it’s not too difficult.

What are the easiest AP classes to self study?

The easiest AP classes to self-study are: Computer Science Principles, Psychology and Environmental Science. These are also rated as the easiest and least time-consuming AP classes overall, so you should be OK.

What are the hardest AP classes?

The hardest AP classes to self-study: are Chemistry, and Physics C – Electricity and Magnetism . These are also rated among the hardest and most time-consuming AP exams, so taking these on as self-study is not to be taken lightly – good luck! Whatever you’re studying, wishing you every success in your AP exams!

Is physics more time consuming than other classes?

Some reviewers found Physics was relatively less time-consuming than other courses . From my experience, harder physics courses such as the AP exams tend to split classes into two halves: those that “get it” relatively quickly, and those that have to persevere and sweat a bit to figure out what’s going on.

How many semesters are there in AP Biology?

This AP Biology course is offered by Apex Learning. It is the complete Biology curriculum and lasts two semesters. This course is approved by the College Board to have the AP designation.

Can I take AP classes online?

You can take them online or in person, if you have access to a local school that offers AP courses in the summer. You can also take AP courses online during the traditional school year. Taking AP courses as a homeschooled student is an excellent idea.

Who is Denise Pope?

An interview with Stanford education expert Denise Pope. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, explains the findings of a new paper that reviews the data on Advanced Placement courses and offers suggestions to students and parents. Denise Pope, a senior lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, ...

Who is the founder of Challenge Success?

Pope is co-founder of Challenge Success – a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Graduate School of Education – that conducts research and works with schools and parents to improve students’ educational experiences. Pope discussed her review of the research with the Stanford News Service.

Does AP course hurt you?

And a very low grade on your transcript from an AP course may hurt you more in the long run than not taking an AP in that subject at all.

How to prepare for AP classes?

1. Prep for college. AP classes can be as challenging as introductory college courses. They are fast-paced, cover more material than regular classes, and require independent work like research and analysis. Getting a dose of a college-level curriculum early on could ease your transition from high school senior to first-year college student.

Is AP class better than A?

Many high schools give extra weight to AP grades when calculating your GPA. Taking an AP class and getting a B is often a better choice than getting an A in a regular course. WATCH: Why Take AP Classes?

What is the AP test score?

Taking an AP class is great prep for the acing the corresponding AP test. Held every May, AP tests are scored on a scale from 1–5. If your college offers AP credit, a score of a 4 or higher could allow you to earn college credits without paying college tuition.

Who is Rob Franek?

About Rob Franek. Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review, is the company's primary authority on higher education. Over his 26-year career, he has served as a college admissions administrator, test prep teacher, author, publisher, and lecturer. Read more and follow Rob on Twitter: @RobFranek.

Can AP classes boost GPA?

But the number of advanced courses you choose to take should depend on your academic interests and your schedule. Concerned you won’t be able to handle the tough concepts of an advanced course? We can help. Our AP tutors can give you a hand with your class work and get you ready for the test.

What are AP classes?

AP classes are a great way to explore subjects that aren't usually part of high school curricula. Many AP classes, such as Computer Science, Psychology, and Economics, can give you a taste of college courses while you're still in high school. AP classes: perfect if you're dreaming of life on campus.

What are the AP tests?

First things first: here is the full list of AP tests. Before we delve into popularity and difficulty, this basic list can be really helpful. Scope it out and see which topics look interesting to you! There are 38 courses in total: 1 Research 2 Seminar 3 Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 2-D Design 4 Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 3-D Design 5 Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): Drawing 6 Art History 7 Biology 8 Calculus AB 9 Calculus BC 10 Chemistry 11 Chinese Language and Culture 12 Computer Science A 13 Computer Science Principles 14 English Language and Composition 15 English Literature and Composition 16 Environmental Science 17 European History 18 French Language and Culture 19 German Language and Culture 20 Government and Politics (Comparative) 21 Government and Politics (US) 22 Human Geography 23 Italian Language and Culture 24 Japanese Language and Culture 25 Latin 26 Macroeconomics 27 Microeconomics 28 Music Theory 29 Physics 1: Algebra-Based 30 Physics 2: Algebra-Based 31 Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 32 Physics C: Mechanics 33 Psychology 34 Spanish Language and Culture 35 Spanish Literature and Culture 36 Statistics 37 US History 38 World History: Modern

What is the pass rate for AP?

(AP tests are scored between 1 and 5, with anything 3 and higher considered passing.) Most AP tests have a pass rate of around 65% or higher.

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Math

  • AP Calculus AB
    This is a great course to take before college if you have the time in your schedule! I would recommend this for upperclassmen, unless you are a very talented sophomore. Pre-calculus is a prerequisite for AP Calc AB, and you also need trigonometry and algebra experience.
  • AP Calculus BC
    This is the course after AP Calc AB. At my school, students can take AP Calc BC without taking AB first, but it is not recommended. I would definitely suggest taking AP Calc AB before trying your hand at BC! It’s a tricky class and is only for people who are really serious about math. Seniors ar…
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Science

  • AP Biology
    This class was one of my personal favorites! It is definitely for students who are interested in STEM in general. To prepare, you should take a normal biology class first, as well as a chemistry class. AP Biology is fast paced, but there are tons of labs that make it really interesting. If you ar…
  • AP Chemistry
    I loved this course as well, and it’s what helped me choose my career path! AP Chem is a difficult class, but it’s worth it if you are at all interested in the sciences. The labs are very fun, and the subject matter is also really interesting. There is more math involved in this one than in AP Bio, b…
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History and Social Science

  • AP Comparative Government and Politics
    This course explores “governments, politics, and societies from countries around the world including Great Britain, China, Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, and Iran,” according to the College Board. My school doesn’t offer this class, so I can’t provide any more details, but you can read more ab…
  • AP European History
    This is a very interesting class that, at my school, is only open to sophomores. I would highly recommend taking this class. It’s interesting even to those who aren’t history buffs, so everyone should try to take AP Euro if they have time. As I said, this class is only for sophomores at my sc…
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English

  • AP English Language and Composition
    This is a class for juniors at my school and was really useful for improving my own writing skills., It focuses on analyzing different works of literature and can be especially helpful as you’re writing your college essays. I very much enjoyed the books that I read in this class, although selections …
  • AP English Literature and Composition
    This is a senior class at my school and is also great for improving your writing skills. I would recommend taking AP Lang before this, but it is not required. It continues on from AP Lang and once again looks at analysis, especially for poetry. As with AP Lang, this class can vary greatly fr…
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Computer Science

  • AP Computer Science A
    This class is really interesting and definitely recommended for people who want to study computer science in college. You don’t have to know how to code beforehand, although it’s recommended that you study up before the class begins. It goes over how to use Java, and typic…
  • AP Computer Science Principles
    From what I’ve heard, this class is an easier version of AP CSA. It’s for beginners and involves very basic coding. Others have told me it’s a fun class and isn’t too much work compared to other courses. Juniors and seniors tend to take this class and then go on to AP CSA, so it’s a good pla…
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World Languages and Cultures

  • I won’t go in-depth with any specific class, as all schools offer different languages (including Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish). In general, AP Language courses are very difficult and strive for fluency. I would only take these courses if you plan on working hard and being serious about your studies. The classes do not simply go over the nuances of the lang…
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Arts

  • A lot of schools don’t offer AP Arts courses—which include Art History, Music Theory, 2D Design, 3D Design, and Drawing—but if yours does, they are a great way to fulfill your arts requirement. I haven’t taken any AP art classes, but if you’re interested in going into the arts or simply want to appreciate the arts, these classes are good options. Related: How to Put the “A” in AP Courses O…
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