How to Choose Which AP Exams to Take
A step-by-step guide to picking the right AP exams based on your strengths, intended major, and college goals.
Last updated: · Updated for the 2026-2027 exam cycle
With nearly 40 AP exams available, deciding which ones to take can feel overwhelming. The right combination of AP courses can earn you college credit, strengthen your application, and give you a head start in your major. The wrong combination can tank your GPA and burn you out. This guide walks you through a practical, step-by-step approach to choosing AP exams that work for you.
Step 1: Consider Your Strengths
Start by picking subjects you enjoy and are naturally good at. AP courses demand sustained effort over an entire school year. If you struggle with a subject at the regular level, taking the AP version will not magically make it easier — it will be significantly harder. Choose areas where you have a genuine interest because motivation matters when you are spending months preparing for a high-stakes exam.
Look at your grades and standardized test scores for clues. If you earned an A in honors biology and scored well on science sections of the PSAT, AP Biology is a natural fit. If you love reading and writing essays, AP English Language or AP English Literature will play to your strengths. Students who excel in math should consider AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics.
Step 2: Align With Your College Plans
If you know your intended major, prioritize AP exams that earn relevant credit. Admissions officers notice when your AP choices align with your stated interests — it signals genuine commitment. More importantly, passing these exams can let you skip introductory college courses and dive into upper-level work sooner.
- STEM majors: AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: E&M, AP Chemistry, AP Biology
- Humanities majors: AP US History, AP World History, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP Government
- Business majors: AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB
- Pre-med: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Physics 1, AP Psychology
- Computer science: AP Computer Science A, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Physics C: Mechanics
If you are undecided on a major, focus on broadly applicable APs like Calculus, English Language, and a social science. These earn credit in almost any degree program.
Step 3: Check College Credit Value
Not all AP credits are created equal. Some exams can save you significantly more time and money than others. AP Calculus BC typically earns 6 to 8 credits at most universities because it covers two semesters of college calculus, while most other AP exams earn 3 to 4 credits for a single semester. Exams like AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: E&M together can clear an entire year of college physics.
Before committing to an AP course, check whether your target colleges actually grant credit for that exam. Some selective schools have restrictive AP credit policies. For a detailed breakdown, see our AP Credit Policies by College guide.
Step 4: Consider the Difficulty
Some AP exams have significantly lower pass rates than others, so factor in difficulty when building your course load. Loading up on the hardest exams simultaneously is a recipe for burnout. Balance challenging exams with ones that play to your strengths.
| Exam | Pass Rate (3+) | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus BC | 79% | Moderate (strong students take it) |
| AP English Language | 74% | Moderate |
| AP Psychology | 70% | Lower |
| AP Biology | 70% | Higher |
| AP Physics 1 | 68% | Higher |
| AP Calculus AB | 64% | Moderate-High |
| AP Statistics | 60% | Moderate |
For the complete ranking of all AP exams by difficulty, see our Easiest and Hardest AP Exams guide.
AP Exams by Intended Major
The table below maps common college majors to the AP exams that are most relevant and most likely to earn you useful credit. Prioritize the first 3 to 4 exams listed for your intended field.
| Intended Major | Recommended AP Exams |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Calc BC, Physics C: Mech, Physics C: E&M, Chemistry, CSA |
| Pre-Med | Biology, Chemistry, Calc AB/BC, Physics 1, Physics 2, Stats, Psych |
| Business | Micro, Macro, Stats, Calc AB, English Lang |
| Humanities | US History, World History, English Lang, English Lit, Gov, Art History |
| Computer Science | CSA, Calc BC, Stats, Physics C: Mech |
How Many APs Should You Take?
The number of AP courses you take should increase gradually across your high school career, and it should never come at the expense of your GPA. Here is a reasonable progression:
- Sophomore year: 1 to 2 APs. Start with accessible exams like AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, or AP Environmental Science to learn what AP-level work feels like.
- Junior year: 2 to 4 APs. This is the most important year for college admissions. Take AP courses in subjects relevant to your intended major and areas where you are strong.
- Senior year: 2 to 4 APs. Continue showing rigor, but be realistic about senioritis. Avoid overloading yourself when you also have college applications to complete.
Selective colleges want to see that you challenged yourself with the most rigorous courses available at your school. But they also want strong grades. An A in an AP course is far better than a B or C. If adding another AP would drop your grades, it is not worth it.
Best APs to Self-Study
Some AP exams can be passed without ever taking the formal class, while others are nearly impossible to self-study. If your school does not offer a particular AP course, or if you want to take an extra exam on your own, consider these options:
- Good for self-study: AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP Environmental Science, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics. These exams are content-heavy but conceptually straightforward — a good textbook and practice exams can get you there.
- Possible but challenging: AP US History, AP World History, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A. These require significant writing practice or problem-solving skills that benefit from teacher feedback.
- Very difficult to self-study: AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, AP Biology. These exams involve complex problem-solving, lab components, or require building skills sequentially over months. Formal instruction makes a major difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many AP exams should I take in total?
Most competitive college applicants take between 5 and 10 AP courses across their high school career. The ideal number depends on your school's offerings and your ability to maintain strong grades. Selective colleges want to see academic rigor, but they value quality over quantity. Taking 4 or 5 APs and earning As is better than taking 8 and earning Bs and Cs. Start with 1 or 2 APs in sophomore year, then increase to 2 to 4 per year as a junior and senior.
Which AP exams are the easiest to pass?
Based on 2025 College Board pass rate data, exams with the highest pass rates include AP Calculus BC (79%), AP Chemistry (78%), AP English Language (74%), and AP US History (73%). However, pass rates can be misleading because exams with higher pass rates often attract stronger students. AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, and AP Environmental Science are commonly considered more accessible for self-study and require less prerequisite knowledge.
Should I take AP exams that match my intended college major?
Yes, aligning your AP exams with your intended major is a smart strategy. It shows colleges you are serious about your field, and the credits are more likely to count toward your degree requirements. For example, a student planning to major in engineering should prioritize AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, and AP Chemistry. A pre-med student should focus on AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus. That said, taking APs outside your major can also demonstrate well-roundedness.
Can I take an AP exam without taking the AP class?
Yes, anyone can register for and take any AP exam regardless of whether they took the corresponding AP class. Some exams are well-suited for self-study, including AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP Environmental Science, and AP Microeconomics. These exams rely more on memorization and conceptual understanding. Other exams like AP Physics C, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus BC are very difficult to pass without formal instruction because they require extensive problem-solving practice and lab experience.
Pass rates are based on 2025 College Board data. AP credit policies vary by institution and change frequently. Always verify credit policies directly with your target school's registrar or admissions website. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.
Sources
Pass rates and exam format details in this guide are based on 2025 College Board data. Major-to-AP-exam recommendations are based on common college degree requirements and widely accepted academic advising practices. Sources include:
- College Board — 2025 AP Score Distributions
- AP Central — Course and Exam Information
- College Board — AP Credit Policy Search
Reviewed by the AP Score Calculator editorial team on . Not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.