Which AP exams are the hardest?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 06, 2026
The Three Hardest AP Classes
- AP Physics 1. Despite a reputation as one of the most difficult AP classes, Physics 1 is also one of the most popular—137,229 students took it in 2021. ...
- AP U.S. History. AP U.S. history is one of the hardest AP classes in the humanities and in general. ...
- AP Chemistry.
Which AP test is the hardest to pass?
AP Physics 1 is the hardest AP class with the least passing rate of 51.6. It means almost half of the students fail this exam. It's 3 hours exam consist of 50 MCQs and 5 free-response questions.
Which AP exam is the easiest?
The five easiest exams for self-study are as follows:
AP Human Geography. AP Psychology. AP US Government and Politics. AP Comparative Government and Politics.
Does Harvard accept 4 AP?
Harvard only accepts AP® scores of 5 for course credit. If you have 4 scores of 5, you can opt to obtain Advanced Standing. You can use AP® credits to opt-out of lower-level classes. Harvard has general academic requirements that all students must take.
Is AP Psych hard?
AP Psychology introduces high schoolers to the study of human behavior and mental processes. The College Board reports that over 70% of AP Psych test-takers earn a passing score. Based on test scores, AP Psychology ranks about average in difficulty.
25 related questions foundIs AP Physics 1 or AP Chem harder?
Is AP Chemistry harder than AP Physics 1? Based on College Board pass rates, AP Physics 1 is more difficult than AP Chemistry. That said, AP Chemistry is not far behind — AP Physics 1 has a pass rate of about 52% while AP Chemistry has a pass rate of 56%.
Is IB harder than AP?
Is IB harder than AP? It depends. Some students argue that IB is more challenging because of the emphasis on critical thinking and the more application-focused evaluations. However, both IB and AP classes are considered college-level courses that many students find challenging.
Do Ivy Leagues prefer AP or IB?
Course placement: Most of the top schools, such as Yale, prefer to give students with high scoring AP credits the choice of advance placement into higher level courses rather than college credits.
Do colleges prefer AP or IB?
Universities look very favorably upon students who take AP courses. They do not classify an IB school as being any higher or lower than an AP school, but want to see that students are taking the most rigorous courses available to them at the school they are currently attending.
Should I take IB or AP?
You'll find AP courses in most U.S. high schools. IB courses are rarer. Because it's not part of a cohesive diploma program, AP is a more flexible, do-it-yourself option. The tests are cheaper, your child can take some tests without being enrolled in a formal course, and they can focus on subjects they care about.
Is taking AP Chem worth it?
AP Chemistry will teach you to think at higher levels. You will be forced to think and apply concepts to new situations, and even derive your own theories from application. This is excellent preparation for the higher levels of thinking required in college.
What are the easiest AP classes to take in high school?
The Three Easiest AP Classes
- AP 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.
Is AP Physics C or AP Chem harder?
In terms of content, Physics C is definitely harder than Chemistry.
Are AP Exams hard?
In general, all AP classes are challenging and the exams are difficult, since they're meant to be at the same level of an introductory college class.
What if someone dies during an AP exam?
Examples of the legend
If someone dies during an exam, all the other students present pass. If a natural disaster occurs during an exam, all students present pass. If a university burns down or is destroyed otherwise, all current students immediately graduate with a bachelor's degree.
Are AP Exams multiple-choice?
Most exams are 2–3 hours long. The first part of the exam usually consists of multiple-choice questions. You will choose 1 of 4–5 answer choices for each question and use a pencil to bubble in your choice on your AP answer sheet for paper and pencil exams.
What is the most failed subject in high school?
Algebra is the single most failed course in high school, the most failed course in community college, and, along with English language for nonnative speakers, the single biggest academic reason that community colleges have a high dropout rate.
Is 2 AP classes enough junior year?
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!!)
Do colleges like AP Chem?
AP Chemistry looks great on your transcript or on a letter of recommendation. More and more of the best colleges and universities are looking for ways that students have distinguished themselves in high school.
Is AP Biology or AP Chemistry harder?
I would tend to agree with your son that AP Biology is substantially easier than AP Chemistry, but it honestly depends on the person. I love math and the practical applications of Chemistry so that course has been a lot more enjoyable for me than AP Biology.
Why is AP Chem so hard?
Is the Content of the AP Chemistry Class Difficult? There's a lot of material covered in AP Chemistry. The course involves memorization of complex principles, mastery of specific mathematical skills, and the ability to visualize interactions between tiny things that can only be represented abstractly.
Is IB a waste of time?
With the certain amount of higher level and standard level IB classes that need to be taken, it is almost impossible to take classes you actually want to take. The IB Diploma is a colossal waste of time and causes extreme unnecessary stress that disrupts your years as a teenager.
Is AP recognized internationally?
Qualifying AP Exam scores earn credit, advanced placement, or both in nearly all universities in the United States and Canada and are recognized in over 100 other countries worldwide.