Looking for information on AP classes? You’ve come to the right place! With the college admissions landscape looking more competitive than ever before, students are packing their academic resumes with AP classes, special projects, and other extracurricular activities to help make their applications stand out among their peers.
But what exactly is an AP class? Are AP classes required to get into college? If so, what are the options? We answer each of these questions, plus share the benefits and challenges of AP classes, explaining how they impact your college application journey.
First, what are AP classes?
AP classes, or Advanced Placement classes, were originally created by the College Board as a way for high school students to prepare for college-level coursework and set them up for success. Depending on the school, course prerequisites, and the student’s college aspirations, AP classes can be taken as early as freshman year of high school, but those interested can speak with a college counselor for advice on building the most effective course strategy for their goals.
You might be wondering, how many AP classes are there? As of 2024, the College Board listed 39 AP classes. However, what’s offered tends to vary from school to school.
Here are some of the most common AP classes available at most schools:
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Chemistry
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP Physics 1
- AP Psychology
- AP US History
- AP World History
How do AP exams work?
AP exams are administered by the College Board each May and assess students’ mastery of AP course material. These standardized tests vary in structure depending on the subject and include multiple-choice and free-response sections. For reference, you can check out the 2025 AP exam schedule here.
Scored on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 indicating a strong college-level understanding), a score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing. Some institutions grant college credit or allow students to skip introductory courses based on AP exam scores, while others use scores for placement without credit.
AP exams are typically two to three hours long, requiring in-class learning, independent study, and practice exams. Students can take as many AP exams as they’ve completed and their school offers, but keep in mind the fee associated with each exam. Since exams are given once a year, makeup exams, if the original exam was missed, and retakes are typically administered during the next exam season only.
Are AP classes required for college?
Since high schools vary quite a bit in course offerings and their ability to support students, most colleges don’t have a specific AP class requirement. Instead, admissions officers will look at how well you did within the context of your school’s AP courses—not at what your school offers.
What exactly does that mean for you?
While AP classes aren’t a must for college admission, they can boost your applications by demonstrating to colleges your readiness for college-level work.
Limited AP options?
In other words, students from schools with limited or no AP options aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage! Students who do not have access to certain AP classes at their school can opt for self-study and still take the AP exam. While this requires extra discipline and initiative, it demonstrates strong motivation and subject interest to college admissions officers. For students whose schools offer limited AP courses, dual enrollment programs or honors courses can be valuable alternatives that showcase a commitment to rigorous academics.
Plenty of AP options?
If you do have the opportunity to take AP classes, doing so can gain you a competitive edge because it shows colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself. Even better? If you do well on the AP exams, you could even earn college credit (or possibly skip introductory courses), which will save you both time and money.
Just remember, AP classes are one part of your overall academic profile. Colleges consider everything students have accomplished and how they’ve used the resources available to them when making their admissions decisions.
What are the benefits of taking AP classes?
Yes! There are many benefits to taking AP classes.
For one, you can experience a more challenging environment, which helps develop the critical thinking and time management skills necessary to thrive in college. You can also hone effective study habits that will increase your chance of succeeding in college. Since AP courses are designed to mirror college-level material, you are exposed to more advanced lessons and ideas, better preparing you for the rigors and demands of pursuing a higher education. Taking AP classes can also help students explore areas of interest and test potential college majors or career paths. (For instance, taking AP Psychology might spark an interest in pursuing a career in mental health or social sciences.)
Second, AP classes can enhance your competitiveness in the application process by boosting your GPA or giving you a headstart on college curricula. Many colleges offer course credit or advanced placement for scoring high on AP exams. This lets students skip introductory courses, graduate early, or have the flexibility to pursue multiple concentrations. Not to mention the benefit of saving money—while AP exams do come with a cost, reductions, and refunds are available in some cases, and students and families can save money on tuition in the long run if a high enough score is received.
Are AP classes challenging?
You might be wondering, with so many benefits, what’s the catch? While taking AP classes can be important for getting into college, it can pose several challenges. Put simply, the effort required to balance AP classes can be tough, bringing loads of homework, projects, and hours spent studying for exams. Not to mention the added challenge of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It can be a struggle to balance AP classes with everything else—extracurriculars, jobs, and other passions and goals. And if not managed well, stress or burnout can happen.
To help manage the workload and complexity of AP classes, students can take advantage of online resources like video tutorials on Khan Academy, forums, and practice quizzes, as well as join study groups to share notes and insights.
Consider this…
All AP exams take place during the same two-week period in May. If you plan to take multiple AP classes, the likelihood of having overlapping finals and AP exams is strong. Dedicated study time will be limited and you could easily start feeling overwhelmed.
For students taking college-level courses for the first time, the faster pace and dense subject matter could be initially jarring. While it sounds appealing to get an early start on AP classes and load up for your transcripts, it’s important to assemble a class schedule that offers balance while still nudging you closer to your college goals. And with the costs associated with taking each AP exam, you might feel added pressure to achieve a high enough score to avoid the extra cost and time spent having to retake the exam next year.
Important to note: while AP classes can make your transcript more competitive, not all colleges give credit or placement for AP scores. Together with your parents or school counselor, you should determine the most productive use of your time and resources to help reach your college goals. There are many factors to consider!
So, how many AP classes should I take?
The number of AP classes you should take depends on you. It’s about what you’re good at, what you like, what you want to do, and what your ideal colleges are looking for. For many students, taking one to three targeted AP classes in high school can be sufficient. This shows your ability to perform college-level work.
However, if your goal is to get into a more competitive program, you might consider increasing this number by taking four to eight AP classes. Balancing several AP courses throughout your high school career demonstrates your ability to excel in college-level work consistently, an important consideration for top admissions offices.
As a general rule, you could start with one AP class during your sophomore year in a subject that interests you or that is common in most college curricula. Here’s a video that shares some of the most common AP classes for Freshmen and Sophomores:
By starting with one, you’ll gain a better sense of the demands required for this level of work. After completing the course, you can add more classes depending on how well you managed or if you’ve gained a better understanding of what classes you need for college. Keep in mind that many colleges care more about your performance and consistency in AP coursework than the quantity taken. If you can balance AP classes with other considerations like leadership roles, extracurriculars, and personal passions, you’ll be able to craft a more well-rounded college application that makes you shine.
Here are some quick tips on how to choose which AP classes to take.
6 tips for choosing AP classes
1. Prioritize your strengths & interests
One of the most important steps of your college journey is figuring out the things that get you excited and inspired. That way, you begin on a foundation built from passion and interest. If you’re good at math and love solving equations, then AP math classes like Calculus or Statistics might be a great place to start.
2. Consider your college list & career goals
Depending on the school you’d like to attend and your career aspirations, you’ll want to choose AP classes that support your target program or area of study. Say you would like to attend Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania—courses like AP Chemistry and AP Biology are great choices.
3. Test the waters
If you’re new to AP classes, or early in your high school career, taking one AP class is a safe way to ease into college-level work without overloading your schedule. You have the flexibility of adjusting to more demanding work and can plan more AP classes for later once you have a better idea of what subjects and schools you want to pursue.
4. Strike a balance
Avoid taking too many AP classes at once, especially in subjects that require heavy reading and writing. While the difficulty of AP courses might vary slightly from school to school, aim for a mixture of classes that keeps your workload balanced.
5. Research college credit policies
Some colleges grant credit for specific AP scores, so it might be worth choosing classes that could earn you credit or placement in a specific college. Doing so could save you time and money while also allowing you to pursue additional concentrations. (Want to go the extra mile and build strong research analysis and presentation skills? Consider the AP Capstone or interdisciplinary AP classes; they can provide a unique edge in tackling complex projects.)
6. Seek advice from a college counselor
Talk to teachers, guidance counselors, and current students for more insights into the demands of specific AP classes and which ones are more valuable to your target schools.
Conclusion:
AP classes are a great way for high schoolers to challenge themselves, learn college-level skills, and potentially earn college credit. Just remember—while Advanced Placement courses can boost college applications and deepen knowledge in a specific field, they might also come with extra responsibilities and pressures. Choosing classes thoughtfully—balancing personal interests, future goals, and manageable workloads—can make the experience both rewarding and impactful. By carefully selecting AP courses that align with your strengths and aspirations, you can help promote a successful transition to college and beyond.
For more help choosing the right AP classes, or for putting together an effective college admissions strategy, Empowerly has a whole team of experts and top-rated guidance counselors ready to help you succeed. We’re the only data-driven service that assesses your academics, extracurriculars, and college essays to determine how competitive you are, and our intro consultations are completely free, giving you the opportunity to ask admissions questions and receive the one-on-one support you need. Happy studying!
Sophia Minhas
Madeleine Karydes