Which AP Classes Should You Take? 5 Things to Consider Before Choosing the Best AP Classes for You
As any student would know, getting into the college or university of your dreams begins with building an impressive high school transcript. It can be a long process, and competition in more selective institutions can be tough. If you want to stand out, your application must highlight your areas of interest and ability to complete rigorous coursework. And one way to make sure the college admissions team pays closer attention to your application is through AP classes. But how do you choose the best AP classes for you?
1. What Are AP Classes and Why Should You Take Them?
The Advanced Placement program, run by the College Board, is a list of standardized courses offered to high school students. Unlike the normal high school curriculum, AP classes give students the chance to take college-level courses in subjects they have chosen. An AP class typically corresponds to a semester of introductory college-level coursework.
After completing their AP classes, students can then take the relevant AP exams given each year in May, which allows them to earn credits and accelerated placement in college. Advanced placement classes are not mandatory, but taking them is crucial if you want to be better prepared for college and stay ahead of the pack.
Although successfully completing AP classes is not exactly a walk in the park, there are plenty of reasons why it should be one of your top priorities. You should take AP classes if you want to:
Be consistently challenged
Regular high school classes will not always offer the stimulation you need to stay engaged and motivated, especially if you are a high-achieving student or like seeking new challenges.
Boost your high school record
Doing well in your AP classes says plenty about your work ethic, commitment, and ability as a student, which also happens to be some of the top things that admissions counselors look for.
Get a running start in college
Aside from being exposed to college-level coursework, AP classes also hone other crucial skills needed for academic success, including writing, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Earn college credit
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. While policies vary from school to school, most US colleges and universities will grant accelerated placement, credit, or both to students who score 3 or higher. This means you not only cut down your college expenses but also save yourself time and effort.
Qualify for a scholarship
According to the College Board, up to 31 percent of colleges and universities take a student's AP classes and scores into consideration when making decisions about scholarship grants.
2. Things to Consider before Choosing AP Classes
A. Your School's AP Programs
The College Board currently offers 40 AP courses across a wide range of subjects. However, it is likely that not all of them will be available at your school, so start by speaking with your teachers or school counselors about what classes you can take.
Likewise, consider your school's performance or reputation for the AP classes offered. In many cases, some schools tend to perform better in certain AP subjects. This tells you about the quality of your school's AP programs and your teachers' capabilities. If possible, ask your school for the pass rates for the AP classes you are interested in, and use that information to help you decide. It is always a good idea to start with the best AP programs your school can offer.
Tip: The College Board's AP Course Index lists all authorized AP courses. You can use it to explore what is available and verify what your school is approved to offer.
B. Your Interests and Planned Area of Study
It is important to show admissions officers that you are equipped to handle the rigors of higher education. This means showcasing the interests, activities, and coursework that help establish yourself as a well-rounded student and give a clear idea of your prospective area of study. Most of the time, your interests are what help you decide which major to pursue in college, and naturally, you will want your AP classes to align with both.
The AP program is great at providing a wide range of classes that fall under a variety of college majors. If you have always been interested in art or history, some of the best AP classes to take would be AP Art History, AP World History, or AP English. If you are a math whiz and are fascinated with the STEM field, then you will want to gear up for some of the most challenging and exciting AP classes, such as AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry.
If you are set on attending an Ivy League school, then you probably already know that they favor students with a well-rounded background. It is best to make sure you vary your AP courses across multiple fields, like AP US History, AP Economics, AP Biology, and AP French, to showcase your strengths and diverse skills and interests.
Keep in mind: While AP classes have different levels of difficulty, any class will be twice as tough for any student who is not genuinely engaged and interested in the course.
C. Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Some students choose the most challenging AP classes available because it is a sure way to beef up their high school transcript. And while this is certainly a good opportunity to show the extent of your skills and coursework, you also want to make sure you do not bite off more than what you can chew.
As a general rule, the best AP classes are the ones you know you can do well in. So it is important to take an honest look at your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. After all, taking the most number of AP classes will not automatically boost your application, especially if they end up dragging down your GPA or if you fail the AP exams.
You will want to make sure you have the necessary preparation and skillset that will allow you to succeed in your AP classes. Aside from considering your interests, you should also play to your strengths. That way, you save yourself from taking on too much at once and causing your grades to suffer.
That said, there are steps you can take to make sure you are ready for the challenges ahead, such as working with a private AP tutor. A private AP tutor can give you the support and attention that teachers cannot always provide in a school setting.
When taking AP classes, it is assumed that you have already acquired the skills and mastered the concepts required to pass the course. However, this is not always the case for all students. By working with a private tutor, you can go back to previous lessons and strengthen your understanding of fundamental concepts and address areas that need reinforcement. Private AP tutoring also allows you to keep up with the demanding curriculum without worrying about falling behind your peers.
D. Your Prospective College's AP Credit Policies
Before deciding on the best AP classes to take, you should consider the AP policies of your prospective colleges. Most colleges will give you credit for scoring at least 3 in the AP exams, but this does not apply to all. If earning college credits is your primary reason for taking AP classes, it is important to know what that entails before making a decision.
The College Board's AP Credit Policy Search lists the score requirements for each college or university, which you can also filter by AP course. It is the most reliable way to verify current credit policies before you commit to a class.
As of fall 2025, 37 states have implemented statewide AP credit policies requiring public colleges to award credit for scores of 3 or higher. Always verify the specific policy for your target school, as requirements vary by institution and subject.
E. Your Overall Workload
It is common to assume that the more AP classes and exams you have taken and passed, the better it is for your application. This is not entirely wrong, but it can also quickly lead to disaster if you are overworking yourself. Your junior and senior years are particularly grueling, and that is not even counting the workload that comes with taking AP classes. The last thing you want during the most crucial years of your high school journey is to spread yourself too thin.
But how many is too many? And is there a magic number of AP classes you need to take? Not exactly. Most colleges and universities do not explicitly require a specific number of AP classes, but they are one of the important indicators of an applicant's college readiness. According to some experts, high-competition colleges will want to see at least eight to 12 AP classes in your transcript, while less-selective institutions will consider five.
Although it is recommended that you take as many AP courses as you can handle, you also have to make sure the added demands do not negatively impact your GPA. It is crucial to set realistic expectations and goals when choosing the best AP classes. Consider your class demands, activities, extracurriculars, and other obligations. If you already have too much on your plate, chances are, taking too many AP classes could only lead to stress, pressure, and feeling burned out.
This is another area wherein a private AP tutor can be of great help. Aside from making sure you are keeping pace with your academic obligations, a private AP tutor can also teach effective study skills and strategies that will help you maximize the time and effort you spend in learning.
Audit your schedule: Before adding an AP class, list all your current commitments. One well-supported AP class is better than three you cannot manage.
Protect your GPA: A lower GPA caused by overloading on AP classes can hurt your application more than taking fewer courses with stronger grades.
Get tutoring support: A private AP tutor can help you manage a demanding course load by teaching effective study strategies and keeping you on track.
3. When Should You Take AP Classes?
Students typically take the bulk of their AP classes during the 11th and 12th grades, although some may choose to start as early as 9th or 10th grade. Depending on your school's policies and available programs, you may opt to take less-demanding AP classes as early as you can if you want to start building up your high school resume. Some AP classes also have prerequisites, so they may not be available to you until you have completed the required high school subjects.
It is also important to note that waiting to take your AP classes until you are in your 11th or 12th grade does not mean you are falling behind. AP classes are demanding and require students to have a strong mastery of foundational skills and concepts, especially in math and science, which you can hone during your first two years of high school.
4. Self-Study vs. AP Tutoring Support
Many students attempt to prepare for AP classes and exams entirely on their own. Here is how that approach compares to working with a private AP tutor:
| Aspect | Self-Study Only | With a Private AP Tutor |
|---|---|---|
| Gap Identification | Student may not know which foundational concepts are missing | Tutor identifies and addresses specific gaps directly |
| Pacing | Must keep up with classroom pace regardless of readiness | Student works at their own pace with personalized support |
| Exam Preparation | Relies on practice tests and review books alone | Tutor provides targeted strategies for each AP exam format |
| Workload Management | Student manages demands independently, risk of burnout | Tutor helps build study habits and manage course load effectively |
| Score Outcomes | Inconsistent without guided feedback | Regular feedback and practice builds toward target scores |
| Confidence | Can erode quickly under pressure without support | Consistent progress builds genuine confidence before exam day |
5. How AP Tutoring Can Help You Succeed
One-on-one AP tutoring gives students the personalized attention they need to succeed in challenging courses. Working with a private tutor helps students strengthen weak areas, build confidence, and develop effective study strategies tailored to their learning style. Here’s how AP tutoring can make a difference:
Offers personalized learning
AP tutoring allows students to focus on the topics they find most challenging. Lessons are tailored to their strengths, weaknesses, and interests, so they can progress at a pace that works best for them.Improves understanding of core concepts
AP courses build on foundational skills, and missing even small pieces can make later lessons difficult. Tutors help reinforce these core concepts, ensuring students have the knowledge they need to tackle advanced material.Boosts exam readiness
Tutors provide targeted strategies for AP exams, including practice questions, time management, and test-taking techniques. This focused preparation helps students feel confident and perform their best on exam day.Builds confidence and motivation
Success in one-on-one sessions translates to greater self-assurance in the classroom and during exams. Students gain a sense of achievement as they master topics, which motivates them to tackle more challenging material.Develops study and problem-solving skills
AP tutoring teaches skills that go beyond individual courses, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning. These transferable skills benefit students in other classes and prepare them for college-level work.Encourages curiosity and engagement
Tutors can explore topics beyond the standard curriculum, allowing students to deepen their understanding or discover new interests in math, science, and other AP subjects.
6. FAQs
Q1: How many AP courses does the College Board currently offer?
The College Board currently offers 40 AP courses across subjects including arts, history, English, math, science, world languages, and social studies. Not all courses are available at every school, so check with your school counselor for what is offered at your institution.
Q2: What AP score do I need to earn college credit?
Most colleges and universities award credit for AP scores of 3 or higher, but policies vary by school and subject. Use the College Board's AP Credit Policy Search to verify the exact requirements for your target schools.
Q3: How many AP classes should I take?
There is no magic number. High-competition colleges generally favor strong performance in a strategic selection of AP classes over a long list of weaker results. Most experts suggest high-competition colleges want to see eight to 12 AP classes, while less-selective schools consider five. Always prioritize quality and manageability over quantity.
Q4: When is the right time to start taking AP classes?
Most students take the bulk of their AP classes in 11th and 12th grade, though some start as early as 9th or 10th grade with less demanding courses. Waiting until junior or senior year does not mean falling behind. The foundational skills you build in earlier grades directly support your success in AP coursework.
Q5: How can Stemly help with AP classes in math and science?
Stemly offers private, individualized, one-on-one online AP tutoring for high school students taking or preparing for AP courses in math and science. Services include AP Calculus AB tutoring, AP Calculus BC tutoring, AP Physics 1 tutoring, AP Physics 2 tutoring, AP Physics C tutoring, AP Chemistry tutoring, and AP Biology tutoring.
7. Next Steps
Choosing the best AP classes is not about picking the hardest courses available or loading up your schedule to impress admissions officers. It is about making smart, intentional choices based on your interests, strengths, college plans, and realistic workload.
Stemly Tutoring offers private, individualized, one-on-one online AP tutoring to high school students who are taking or preparing to take AP courses in math and science. Our highly experienced, friendly, and expertly trained tutors provide comprehensive support for the most challenging and demanding AP classes.
Thinking about AP classes in math or science? Reach out to Stemly Tutoring today to find out more about how we can help.
Book a free consultation and get matched with a private AP tutor who will help you prepare, stay on track, and earn the score you are aiming for.