Advanced Placement

What Are the Most Popular AP Classes? | Top 5 Most Popular AP Classes

Updated on: 09 Aug 2024

Content

1. AP Overview 2. AP Courses 3. AP Exams 4. AP Scores 5. AP Credits 6. AP Credit Policy 7. AP Biology Credit Policy 8. AP Biology Exam 9. AP Biology Practice Tests 10. AP Calculus AB Credit Policy 11. AP Calculus AB Exam 12. AP Calculus AB Formula Sheet 13. AP Calculus AB Practice Tests 14. AP Calculus BC Credit Policy 15. AP Calculus BC Exam 16. AP Calculus BC Formula Sheet 17. AP Calculus BC Practice Tests 18. AP Chemistry Credit Policy 19. AP Chemistry Exam 20. AP Chemistry Formula Sheet 21. AP Chemistry Practice Tests 22. AP Computer Science A Credit Policy 23. AP Computer Science A Practice Tests 24. AP Computer Science Principles Practice Tests 25. AP Computer Science A Exam 26. AP Computer Science Principles Credit Policy 27. AP Computer Science Principles Exam 28. AP English Language 29. AP English Literature 30. AP Human Geography Exam 31. AP Macroeconomics Practice Tests 32. AP Microeconomics Practice Tests 33. AP Physics 1 Credit Policy 34. AP Physics 1 Exam 35. AP Physics 2 Exam 36. AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet 37. AP Physics 1 Practice Tests 38. AP Physics 2 Credit Policy 39. AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet 40. AP Physics 2 Practice Tests 41. AP Physics C E&M Formula Sheet 42. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam 43. AP Physics C Mechanics Exam 44. AP Physics C Mechanics Practice Tests 45. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Practice Tests 46. AP Physics C Mechanics Formula Sheet 47. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Credit Policy 48. AP Physics C: Mechanics Credit Policy 49. AP Psychology Exam 50. AP Statistics Exam 51. AP Statistics Practice Tests 52. AP Statistics Credit Policy 53. AP Statistics Formula Sheet 54. AP US History Practice Tests 55. AP Spanish Language 56. AP Enviornmental Science 57. AP World History Modern 58. AP US Government and Politics 59. AP US History Exam 60. AP European History Exam 61. AP Comparitive Government and Politics 62. AP Microeconomics 63. AP Macroeceonomics 64. AP PreCalculus 65. AP Course Placement 66. AP Score Report 67. AP Sending Scores 68. AP Pass Score 69. AP Exam Dates 70. AP Exam Fee 71. AP Free Response Questions 72. AP Document Based Questions 73. AP Multiple Choice Questions 74. AP Performance Task 75. AP Study Guides 76. AP Review Books 77. AP Course Syllabus 78. AP Course Audit 79. College Board 80. AP Course Ledger 81. AP Exam Fee Reductions 82. AP Pass Rate 83. AP Score Distribution 84. AP Practice Tests 85. AP Worksheets 86. AP Formula Sheets 87. AP Perfect Score 88. AP Daily Videos 89. AP Classroom 90. AP Central 91. Pre AP 92. AP Alumni Network 93. AP Capstone 94. AP Classroom Resources 95. AP Self Study Exams 96. AP Course Grades Vs AP Scores 97. AP Exam Calculator Policy 98. AP Scholar Award 99. AP Course And Exam Description 100. AP Classes 101. AP TextBooks 102. Benefits Of AP 103. AP Results 104. Dual Credits 105. Pre AP To AP Course Map 106. Digital AP Exams 107. AP Course Pairs 108. AP Lab Manuals 109. AP Daily Instructors 110. Best Sites for AP Physics Tutoring 111. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Physics Test Prep 112. Average Cost Of AP Physics Tutoring 113. Finding An AP Physics Tutor 114. Finding An AP Chemistry Tutor 115. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Chemistry Test Prep 116. Cost Of AP Chemistry Tutoring

We have ranked the most popular AP classes based on the number of test takers.
Choose AP courses that align with your interests and goals.
AP courses are challenging, so it is important to choose courses that are a good fit for your academic ability. If you are struggling in your regular classes, you may not be ready for AP courses.

Are you a high school student considering taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes? If so then you are not alone.

AP classes are some of the most popular courses offered in high schools across the country. With over 30 courses available – it can be challenging to know which are the most popular AP courses.

In this article, we will explore the most popular AP classes based on the number of test takers.

Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!

List of the 5 most popular AP classes

From the list of 38 AP courses, both hard AP classes, and easy AP classes, we have created a list of the most popular AP classes. This list of based on the number of students appearing for the AP exam every year.

AP English Language and Composition
AP United States History
AP Psychology
AP Calculus AB
AP Spanish Language and Culture

Here, we have ranked the most popular AP classes based on number of students taking the test.

AP English Language and Composition

No of students (2022): 520,771
Pass rate (3 or higher): 55.7%

AP English Language and Composition is the most popular AP course among high school students. It was opted by over half a million students in 2022. This course is designed to help students develop critical reading and writing skills, and prepare them for college-level coursework. AP English Language and Composition is known for its rigor and high expectations. Still, it also offers numerous benefits, such as the potential to earn college credit and improve college admissions prospects.

The graph given below depicts the trend of the number of students taking AP English Languages and Composition over the time period of 10 years.

No.of Students of AP English Language and Composition

AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course where students are taught to cultivate an understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts.

AP United States History

No of students (2022): 456,520
Pass rate (3 or higher): 48.2%

According to the College Board, AP United States History is the second most popular AP course among high school students. This course provides an in-depth exploration of American history from the pre-Columbian era to the present day. AP United States History is known for its difficulty level and has a low pass rate in comparison to other AP exams, but it also offers numerous benefits, such as the potential to earn college credit and improve college admissions prospects.

The graph given below depicts the trend of the number of students taking AP United States History over the time period of 10 years.

No. of Students of AP United States History

AP Psychology

No of students (2022): 292,501
Pass rate (3 or higher): 58.3%

AP Psychology is the third most popular AP course among high school students that provides an introduction to the science of psychology. This course covers a wide range of topics such as behavior, cognition, personality, and mental disorders.

AP Psychology is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, research methods, and an understanding of human behavior. AP Psychology is considered a considerably easy AP course with a pass rate of 58.3%. Students with an interest in Psychology can opt for this AP course and can gain college credit or advanced placement for this course.

The graph given below depicts the trend of the number of students taking AP Psychology over the time period of 10 years.

AP Calculus AB

No of students (2022): 268,352
Pass rate (3 or higher): 55.7%

AP Calculus AB is a challenging and the fourth most popular AP course that has gained popularity among high school students over the years. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of calculus, including limits, derivatives, and integrals, and prepares them for the AP Calculus AB exam.

The course is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in calculus, which is a crucial subject for those planning to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. AP Calculus AB is widely recognized as a difficult course but performing well on the exam can help students to gain college credit or advanced placement in college-level calculus courses.

The graph given below depicts the trend of the number of students taking AP Calculus AB over the time period of 10 years.

Number of students taking AP Calculus AB from 2013 to 2022

AP Spanish Language and Culture

AP Spanish Language and Culture is one of the language AP courses that is the fifth most popular AP course. This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the Spanish language and its cultural significance, preparing them for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam.

The course is structured to teach students advanced language skills, such as reading and writing complex texts, engaging in meaningful conversations, and analyzing cultural perspectives. The popularity of AP Spanish Language and Culture speaks to the increasing importance of cross-cultural communication and the value of bilingualism in today’s diverse society.

The graph given below depicts the trend of the number of students taking AP Spanish Language and Culture over the time period of 10 years.

No. of Students of Spanish Language and Culture

Factors that contribute to the most popular AP courses

Relevance to college and career: Most popular AP classes cover topics that are relevant for college. For example, AP English Language and Composition helps students develop their writing skills, which are essential for success in college and many careers. AP Calculus AB prepares students for college-level math, which is a requirement for many STEM majors.
Challenge: AP courses are challenging, but they also offer a sense of accomplishment. Students who succeed in AP classes are demonstrating that they are capable of handling college-level work. This can be a valuable asset when applying to college.
College credit: AP exams can earn students college credit, which can save them time and money. This is a major incentive for many students, especially those who are planning to attend a four-year college.
Teacher quality: The quality of the AP teacher can also play a role in the popularity of a course. Students are more likely to take AP courses if they know that the teacher is knowledgeable and engaging.
School culture: The school culture can also influence the popularity of AP classes. Schools that emphasize academic rigor and college preparation are more likely to have a large number of students taking AP courses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AP English Language, AP United States History, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, and AP Spanish Language and Culture are the most popular AP classes. These AP classes provide students with advanced knowledge and skills that are highly valued in today’s society.

The potential for earning college credit or advanced placement in college-level courses also makes these courses an attractive option for students seeking to challenge themselves and get ahead in their college education.

Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is the most popular AP class taken?

According to the College Board, AP English Language and Composition is the most popular AP class. This AP course was taken by 520,771 students in 2022. AP United States History, AP Psychology, AP Calculus AB, and AP Spanish Language and Culture follow after it respectively.

What are the top 3 hardest AP classes?

The top 3 hardest AP classes, according to the pass rate and student survey and online discussion forums are AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, and AP Chemistry.

What is the easiest AP class?

The top 3 easiest AP classes, according to the pass rate and student’s survey and online discussion forums are AP Computer Science Principles, AP Psychology, and AP Chinese Language.

What are the least popular AP exams?

According to the 2022 College Board data, the least popular AP exams are:
AP 3-D Art and Design- 5,377
AP Chinese Language- 4,211
AP German Language- 4,450
AP Italian Language- 2,194
AP Japanese Language- 2,765
AP Latin- 4,832
This list is based on the number of students taking the above AP courses in 2022.

How many AP classes are there?

There are a total of 39 AP courses as of June 2023. College Board added AP Precalculus for the class of 2023.