What Are the Hardest AP Classes and Tests?
So you’re thinking about taking an AP class? It offers a chance to dig deep into college-level subjects and earn college credit while still in high school. But with so many options, it’s natural to wonder: Which ones are the most challenging? And more importantly, how do you pick the right one, and how do you prepare for it?
This blog is here to help you understand the hardest AP classes and tests. We’ll share the top 10 courses that consistently challenge students the most, based on factors like pass rates, course content, and student reviews. With this knowledge, you can choose an AP class that fits your strengths and goals and develop a study plan to ace even the toughest exams.
The Top 10 Hardest AP Classes and Tests
AP exam pass rates and the frequency of perfect scores can be helpful indicators of the relative difficulty of different AP classes and tests. The pass rate tells you what percentage of students scored a 3 or higher on the exam, which is considered a passing grade. On the other hand, the perfect score rate reflects the percentage of students who achieved the highest possible score of 5.
| Did you know? In May 2022, nearly 4.7 million high school students took AP exams across various subjects. While some students aced the exams, pass rates for some of the most challenging AP tests fell below 50%. |
However, it’s important to remember that these are just two factors to consider when evaluating the difficulty of an AP class for you. Two other very important factors are the quality of your teacher and your academic strengths. A strong teacher with a clear and engaging teaching style can make a significant difference in how well you understand the material and perform on the exam. Additionally, if you have a natural aptitude for a particular subject, you may find the corresponding AP class to be less challenging than someone who struggles with that subject.
| AP Class/Exam | Pass Rate (3+) | Perfect Score (5) |
|---|---|---|
| Physics 1 | 45.60% | 8.80% |
| United States History | 47.50% | 10.60% |
| United States Government and Politics | 49.20% | 12.80% |
| Macroeconomics | 64.70% | 17.10% |
| Human Geography | 54.40% | 16.00% |
| Environmental Science | 53.70% | 8.30% |
| Chemistry | 75.10% | 16.00% |
| Calculus AB | 58.00% | 22.40% |
| Psychology | 59.60% | 16.90% |
| European History | 59.40% | 12.90% |
Source: College Board, 2024
Note: Some types of AP exams, such as AP Capstone, AP Art and Design, and language exams (where scores include components like speaking and writing), aren’t included in the data used to determine pass rates and perfect score rates.
1. AP Physics 1
The AP Physics 1 course combines physics fundamentals, scientific inquiry skills, and the application of algebra. It’s widely considered one of the most demanding AP classes offered. The curriculum digs deep into Newtonian mechanics. You’ll also learn concepts like electrical charge and force interactions. An important aspect of the class involves hands-on learning through college-level laboratory experiments. You can expect to dedicate roughly 25% of your class time to conducting these experiments and writing detailed reports that show your analysis and conclusions.
| Did you know? Only around half of the students who took the Physics 1 exam in May 2022 scored a 3 or higher, which is considered a passing score. Even fewer, less than 8%, earned a top score of 5. |
The AP Physics 1 exam itself is a comprehensive assessment designed to test your understanding of the covered material. It consists of two sections: a multiple-choice section with 50 questions and a free-response section with 5 distinct questions. The exam will challenge you to explain various physical phenomena using clear and concise language. The ability to interpret and apply conceptual models will also be tested. Finally, the exam may include questions that ask you to design experiments to investigate a particular scientific phenomenon.
2. AP United States History
The AP United States History course studies American history from 1491 to the present day. This in-depth exploration covers nine distinct historical eras, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s development. Throughout the course, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how past decisions, policies, and individual actions played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the US.
The AP United States History exam itself is designed to test your knowledge and analytical abilities across various formats. It consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) that assess your grasp of historical facts. Short-answer questions challenge you to analyze and explain specific events. The essay portion demands a higher level of critical thinking. You’ll need to develop and support a well-reasoned argument based on historical evidence, often presented as a Document-Based Question (DBQ). Here, you’ll be presented with seven historical documents that you’ll need to analyze and use to construct your argument.
3. AP United States Government and Politics
The AP United States Government and Politics course offers an in-depth understanding of the American political scenario. You’ll learn about the U.S. political system, analyze the structures of national government institutions, and explore the processes behind public policymaking. By critically examining foundational documents and landmarks in U.S. Supreme Court decisions, you’ll develop your analytical skills, sharpen your ability to interpret data, and hone your argumentation through writing evidence-based essays.
The AP United States Government and Politics exam features a multiple-choice section with 55 questions testing your grasp of political concepts. Additionally, four free-response questions challenge your ability to analyze and apply your knowledge of historical documents and court decisions to real-world scenarios.
4. AP Economics (Macroeconomics)
The AP Macroeconomics course is a year-long program that studies core macroeconomic concepts like economic indicators, national income, and international trade. You’ll grapple with economic models and analyze real-world scenarios using graphs and charts. The course hones your critical thinking skills as you learn to think like economists.
The AP Macroeconomics exam tests your understanding of these concepts. It’s a two-part exam with a multiple-choice section and a free-response section that includes long and short-answer questions. You need to demonstrate your knowledge and also your ability to analyze data, construct economic arguments, and make predictions using economic models.
5. AP Human Geography
The AP Human Geography course is a college-level introduction to how humans interact with the world around them. It delves into seven units: geographic perspectives, population, cultural patterns, political organization, land use (both rural and agricultural, and industrial and urban), and economic development. Through these units, you gain skills in analyzing maps and data, understanding how locations influence societies, and understanding the interconnections between places.
The course prepares you for the AP Human Geography Exam, which tests your knowledge through multiple-choice and free-response questions. These questions assess memorization and the ability to apply geographic concepts to real-world situations.
6. AP Environmental Science
The AP Environmental Science course studies the complex relationship between humans and the environment. Through lectures, labs, and fieldwork, you’ll explore ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of resource use. The course also covers pressing issues like pollution and global change. By analyzing data and conducting scientific studies, you’ll develop the skills to assess environmental problems and propose solutions.
The AP Environmental Science exam tests your understanding of these concepts. It’s a 2-hour and 40-minute test divided into multiple-choice and free-response sections. The free-response portion challenges you to design an investigation, analyze an environmental problem, and propose solutions using your scientific knowledge.
7. AP Chemistry
The AP Chemistry course teaches topics like atomic structure, chemical bonding, reactions, equilibrium, and thermodynamics. Through lab investigations and explorations of these core concepts, you develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, along with a strong foundation for further chemistry studies.
The AP Chemistry exam tests this knowledge base through a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The multiple-choice section focuses on factual recall and conceptual understanding, while the free-response section requires you to apply your knowledge to analyze data, solve problems, and explain chemical processes. Scientific calculators are recommended for both sections, and a formula sheet is provided to aid calculations.
8. AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus AB introduces the core concepts of differential and integral calculus. You delve into topics like limits, derivatives, and integrals through real-world problems. The curriculum emphasizes understanding these concepts visually, numerically, analytically, and verbally.
The AP Calculus AB exam is three hours long and assesses these concepts through multiple-choice and free-response questions. The multiple-choice section tests both calculator-allowed and calculator-not-allowed skills, while the free-response section requires you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and justify your answers using calculus concepts.
9. AP Psychology
The AP Psychology course is a college-level introduction to how our minds work. Taught in high school, it delves into the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. You’ll explore different theoretical perspectives on psychology, from psychoanalysis to neuroscience. You’ll also learn how psychologists conduct research, analyze data, and work on topics like memory, motivation, and social psychology.
The AP Psychology exam tests your understanding of these concepts. It includes multiple-choice questions, free-response questions where you apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, and analysis of research studies.
10. AP European History
The AP European History course covers a vast expanse of history, from the Renaissance and Exploration eras to the Cold War and contemporary Europe. Throughout the course, you learn various aspects of European history, including political developments, social structures, cultural movements, and economic changes. You strengthen your historical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources, crafting arguments, and making connections across different time periods.
The AP European History exam tests your knowledge of the course material and your ability to think critically, like historians. It’s a 3-hour and 15-minute exam divided into two sections: multiple-choice/short answer and free-response. The multiple-choice section assesses factual knowledge and basic analytical skills, while the free-response section requires you to analyze documents, develop historical arguments, and answer essay prompts clearly and concisely.
From the Desk of Yocket
There’s no single hardest AP class or exam since difficulty depends on your individual strengths. However, some classes consistently challenge students. Subjects like Physics C and Calculus BC require a strong math foundation and comfort with abstract concepts. AP Chemistry further digs deep into complex chemical reactions and requires a good understanding of math principles as well. For some, memorization-heavy subjects like Latin or foreign language exams might be the biggest challenge because they demand memorization and fluency.
On the other hand, AP English Literature might be difficult for someone who struggles with reading analysis and writing strong essays. However, a student with a passion for literature might find AP English Literature less challenging than someone who struggles with writing analysis. Simply put, the hardest AP class is the one that pushes you furthest outside your comfort zone while requiring significant effort to master.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hardest AP exams based on pass rates?
Looking at the pass rates of the AP exams, AP Physics 1 reigns supreme (or toughest). Other exams include US History, Macroeconomics, Human Geography, and Environmental Science.
What makes an AP class difficult?
Several factors contribute to AP class difficulty. The subject itself can be inherently challenging (Calculus), the vast content (US History), or the complexity of concepts (Chemistry). The AP exam grading system can also influence difficulty.
How can I prepare for a difficult AP class?
There are a number of things you can do to prepare for a difficult AP class. Taking a strong foundation course in the subject, getting a tutor, and starting to study early are all great strategies. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with the AP exam format and practicing with the released questions can be helpful.