The Most Difficult AP Class, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the class you think is the most difficult!
Updated on Apr 22, 2024 06:36
Choosing the right Advanced Placement (AP) classes can significantly impact a student's academic journey, but gauging the difficulty level of each class can be a challenge. By compiling opinions on which AP classes are the most demanding, students can better prepare themselves for the challenges ahead. This process aids in setting realistic expectations and helps in managing study time more effectively.
Our interactive site allows users to cast their votes on which AP classes they believe are the toughest based on their personal experiences or observations. The collective insights gathered here not only enlighten new students about potential hurdles but also create a dynamic list that adjusts with new voter inputs. Engaging in this community voting process not only enhances the resource's accuracy but also connects students from diverse backgrounds.
What Is the Most Difficult AP Class?
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160votes
AP Calculus BC
The College BoardThis advanced math course covers a wide range of topics, including calculus, functions, and graphing. It requires strong problem-solving skills and a strong foundation in algebra and geometry.AP Calculus BC is an advanced placement course offered in high schools, designed to provide a thorough understanding of calculus concepts and techniques. It covers both differential and integral calculus, building upon the topics covered in AP Calculus AB. The course is taught at a college-level and is intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam.- Course Length: Typically a full academic year
- Topics Covered: Limits, derivatives, integrals, infinite series, polynomial approximations, differential equations, parametric equations, polar coordinates, and vector functions
- Prerequisites: Successful completion of AP Calculus AB or equivalent
- Recommended Textbook: Calculus: Early Transcendentals by James Stewart
- Exam Format: Multiple-choice and free-response questions
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28votesThis physics course covers mechanics and electricity and magnetism, requiring a strong understanding of calculus and advanced problem-solving skills.AP Physics C is an Advanced Placement course offered by the College Board that covers college-level physics concepts and principles. It is commonly regarded as one of the most difficult AP classes due to its challenging content and rigorous problem-solving approach. The course is divided into two main sections: Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism.
- Depth of Content: The course delves into advanced topics such as calculus-based mechanics, wave phenomena, electric circuits, electromagnetism, and more.
- Calculus Requirement: A solid understanding of calculus is essential, as the course heavily relies on mathematical modeling and problem-solving using calculus.
- Mathematical Rigor: AP Physics C requires a high level of mathematical proficiency, including differentiation, integration, and solving differential equations.
- Experimental Skills: The course emphasizes the development of experimental techniques, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
- Problem-solving Approach: Students are required to apply their knowledge to solve complex physics problems using a logical and analytical approach.
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320votesThis course covers advanced chemistry topics, including atomic structure, chemical reactions, and thermodynamics. It requires a strong foundation in chemistry and math skills.AP Chemistry is an advanced placement science course offered in high school that focuses on the principles and theories of chemistry. It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the subject and prepare them for college-level chemistry courses.
- Course Length: Full academic year (usually spanning two semesters)
- Rigor: Considered one of the most challenging high school science courses
- Prerequisites: Recommendation of prior coursework in chemistry and algebra
- Content: Covers topics such as atomic structure, chemical reactions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and more
- Laboratory Work: Includes hands-on experiments and lab work to develop practical skills
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419votes
AP Biology
The College BoardThis course covers advanced biology topics, including genetics, molecular biology, and ecology. It requires strong memorization skills and conceptual understanding of scientific processes.AP Biology is an advanced science course offered in high school that focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of biology concepts and preparing them for college-level coursework in the subject. The course covers various topics such as cell structure and function, genetics, evolution, ecology, biochemistry, and physiology. It combines theoretical knowledge with laboratory investigations to enhance scientific inquiry skills and critical thinking abilities.- Eligibility: Typically taken by high school juniors or seniors
- Length: Usually taught over a full academic year
- College credit: Possibility of earning college credit depending on performance in the AP exam
- Rigor: Offers a challenging curriculum for motivated students
- Curriculum: Covers a wide range of biology topics in depth
AP Biology in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most fun AP class
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511votes
AP Statistics
The College BoardThis course covers statistical analysis, including probability theory, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing. It requires strong math skills and a logical approach to problem-solving.AP Statistics is an Advanced Placement course that focuses on the study of statistics. It is designed to introduce students to the concepts, methods, and application of statistics through exploratory data analysis, probability, and statistical inference. Students may take the AP Statistics exam to earn college credit and demonstrate their understanding of the subject.- Course Length: One academic year
- Credit: Equivalent to a college introductory statistics course
- Prerequisites: Algebra 1 and Algebra 2; knowledge of basic probability and algebraic concepts
- Exam Format: Section I: Multiple Choice (90 minutes), Section II: Free Response (90 minutes)
- Topics Covered: Data analysis, experimental design, probability, random variables, sampling distributions, statistical inference
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610votes
AP World History
The College BoardThis course covers the history of the world from prehistoric times to the present, requiring strong reading comprehension and analytical skills. It also covers a vast amount of information, making it difficult to retain all the material.AP World History is an advanced placement course offered in many high schools. It is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of world history from prehistoric times to the present day, with a focus on analyzing historical events and their impact on global development. The course covers a wide range of topics including political, social, economic, and cultural aspects of different civilizations and regions. Students are expected to demonstrate critical thinking, strong analytical skills, and the ability to synthesize information from various sources.- Course Duration: Full academic year
- Exam Format: Multiple choice, short answer, document-based question, and long essay
- Course Content: Prehistoric times to the present day, covering major civilizations and regions around the world
- Key Themes: Interaction between humans and the environment, development and interaction of cultures, state-building, expansion, and conflict, creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems, and development and transformation of social structures
- Required Reading: Textbooks and primary source documents
AP World History in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most fun AP class
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712votes
AP English Literature and Composition
The College BoardThis course covers advanced literary analysis and composition, requiring strong reading comprehension and writing skills. It also covers a wide range of literary works, making it difficult to retain all the material.AP English Literature and Composition is an advanced placement course designed to provide high school students with a college-level understanding of English literature and the skills necessary for academic writing. It focuses on analyzing, interpreting, and critically evaluating a wide range of literary works across different time periods and genres.- Difficulty Level: 8/10
- Number of Units: 4
- Prerequisite: English Language Arts proficiency
- Exam Duration: 3 hours
- Exam Format: Multiple choice and free-response questions
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87votes
AP Computer Science A
The College BoardThis course covers computer programming in Java, requiring strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of programming concepts. It also covers a wide range of topics, making it difficult to master all the material.AP Computer Science A is an advanced placement course offered by the College Board that provides an introduction to computer science. It focuses on the fundamental concepts of computer programming using the Java programming language, data structures, algorithms, and problem-solving techniques. The course aims to develop students' ability to think creatively, solve problems logically, and write efficient code. It covers topics such as loops, conditionals, arrays, objects, classes, inheritance, recursion, sorting, and searching algorithms.- Course Length: Full year
- Exam Format: Multiple-choice and free-response questions
- Prerequisites: Algebra I (recommended)
- Course Level: Introductory college-level
- Difficulty: Challenging
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911votes
AP Environmental Science
The College BoardThis course covers the science behind environmental issues, including ecology, pollution, and conservation. It requires a strong understanding of scientific concepts and the ability to analyze complex environmental problems.AP Environmental Science is an advanced high school course that explores scientific principles and concepts related to the environment and environmental issues. It combines elements of biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences to provide a comprehensive understanding of the natural world and the relationship between humans and their environment.- Level: Advanced Placement (AP)
- Course Length: Full-year
- Prerequisites: None, but a background in biology and chemistry is helpful
- Topics Covered: Biodiversity, Earth systems, Water resources, Energy resources, Pollution, Global change, and more
- Laboratory Work: Includes hands-on experiments and field investigations
AP Environmental Science in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most fun AP class
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109votes
AP Human Geography
College BoardThis course covers the study of human populations, cultures, and geography, requiring strong reading comprehension and analytical skills. It also covers a wide range of topics, making it difficult to retain all the material.AP Human Geography is an Advanced Placement course designed to provide high school students with a comprehensive understanding of human geography. It explores the patterns and processes that shape human populations, cultures, economies, and landscapes around the world.- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Course Duration: Full academic year (typically 9 months)
- College Credit: Yes, if AP exam is passed
- Exam Length: 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Number of Units: Adjusted according to the school's scheduling
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Discussion
Ranking factors for difficult class
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Content complexity and depthConsider how complex and in-depth the material is, which typically requires a thorough understanding of the subject matter, analytical skills, and critical thinking abilities.
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Course workloadThe amount of coursework, including homework, readings, essays, projects, and lab work, may vary depending on the subject and teacher. Some AP classes may have more work than others, which can lead to increased difficulty.
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Assessment structureExamine the format and structure of the AP exam for the course, as well as the types of questions and tasks you will be asked to complete. Some exams may require more extensive essay writing, while others may have more multiple-choice questions or require executing a hands-on project.
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College credit potentialConsider how widely the course could be accepted for college credit in relation to your intended major. If a course is known to be less likely to earn you credit towards your degree, it may be considered more difficult as the payoff is lower.
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Prerequisite knowledgeCourses that require or assume a strong background in certain subjects may be more challenging to students who struggle in those areas. Before deciding on the class, consider your own strengths and weaknesses.
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Subject matterEvaluate whether the subject matter is inherently challenging or not. Some courses, such as Calculus or Physics, may be considered more difficult due to the abstract and complex nature of the content.
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Skill requirementsConsider the types of skills required for success in the class, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, memorization, or practical implementation. Some skills may come more easily to you than others, which can affect the difficulty of the class.
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Teacher qualityTeachers can significantly impact how difficult a course may be. Some teachers may better explain or engage students in the material, which can make a class appear less challenging compared to the same course taught by a less effective teacher.
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Perception of difficultySome AP courses may have a reputation for being more difficult, which can affect how students feel and approach the material, potentially making it more challenging.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult AP class. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or class is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1253 views
- 165 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each class once every 24 hours. The rank of each class is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult ap class
Advanced Placement (AP) classes are designed to provide high school students with college-level coursework. Taking AP classes can help students earn college credit and demonstrate their academic abilities to colleges and universities. However, not all AP classes are created equal in terms of difficulty. Some AP classes are notorious for being particularly challenging, with students often struggling to keep up with the fast pace and demanding workload. In this article, we will explore the most difficult AP classes and what makes them so challenging. Whether you're a high school student considering taking an AP class or a parent trying to help your child choose which classes to take, this article will provide valuable insights into the world of AP classes.
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