Honestly, coming from a Junior taking 5 APs (Calc BC, Physics C: M and Physics C: EM [grouped into one class], Computer Science Principles, Language and Composition), having taken 2 APs (Calc AB and Physics 2) as a sophom*ore and 1 AP (Human Geography) as a freshman, you have to have good time management before hand and only take APs that you are passionate about.
For example, if you love Math, try taking Calculus or Stats; if you like English (not I) try taking Lang or Lit; if you like a specific science, then take it as an AP. I would almost recommend trying to do more work outside of school this year to hone in your productivity and time efficiency skills because depending on the AP and the teacher, you may get a lot of homework (looking at you AP Lang and AP Physics C)
I think picking things I was passionate about or were at least interesting really helped me put in more effort into the class and therefore learn more in the process. I think it would be much better to stop at 5 APs but ask people in your school what they think because the workload can vary greatly by school. I would recommend to just do things you think are interesting in and ideally classes with great teachers because the worst thing in an AP class is a teacher who no one understands.
History, English and Science are all about equal and depend greatly on your strengths
List of AP types ranking roughly by workload (coming from experience or from what I heard at my school):
Capstone - I never took it but everyone at my school says the workload is pretty insane
History - A lot of note taking and reading from textbooks or outside sources
English - A lot of practice in reading passages and writing responses or multiple choice questions
Science - Physics probably has the easiest workload, Biology has a decent bit as well with some advanced things as far as I heard and Chemistry is a GPA killer and a super hard class at least at my school.
Math - The Calculus classes are really a lot easier than you would expect but there are days with 1 hour + of homework Computer Science really isn't too bad if you like it and AP Stats is heavy on memorizing the formulas
Art - These shouldn't really count as APs in my opinion but I don't know much about them so I can't say
FAQs
College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.
How many APs is good for junior year? ›
So What's the Right Number of AP Classes?
| Year | Recommended Number of AP Classes to Take |
|---|
| 9th Grade | 0-2 |
| 10th Grade | 1-3 |
| 11th Grade | 2-4 |
| 12th Grade | 3-4 |
The number of AP classes you take should align with your personal academic strengths and interests. Taking two AP courses in your junior year could certainly be viewed as a rigorous courseload, especially if the APs are in subjects that you are passionate about and plan to dedicate considerable effort.
How many amps is good for junior year? ›
Freshman year you might take one or two AP classes if they're available. Sophom*ore year you can ramp it up to two or three. Junior year, if you're hoping to attend an Ivy League school, you should consider taking three to five AP classes in core subject areas.
What is the average number of APs taken in high school? ›
The Key Number
If that answer isn't fully satisfying, here is a look at the average number of APs students tend to take over the course of their high school years, broken down by college selectivity: Selective schools: around 7–12 APs. Semi-selective schools: 4–8 APs. Less selective schools: 1–5 APs.
Is 6 APs junior year too much? ›
College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.
Is 4 APs too much junior year? ›
Junior Year
Depending on what kind of school you want to go to, you should be taking between 3 and 5 AP® classes this year. You will need to manage your time well, however, as you also need to study for the SAT® or ACT® during this time.
Is taking 5 APs too much? ›
You can definitely take 5 APs, but just make sure to stay on top of your work and spend a good amount of time studying to make sure you know the material.
Is 4 APs too much? ›
If you're serious about school and learning a lot before university, then I think taking 4 AP classes is fine. I took 4 APs during my junior year (Gov+Politics, Biology, Calc AB, Lang+Comp), and the workload was quite manageable.
How many APs do ivy leagues want? ›
How Many AP Classes Should You Take for Ivy Leagues and Other Top US Universities? For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.
You most certainly can take 3 AP classes, but it is a purely personal decision if taking that many AP courses and the workload that goes with it is too much for you to handle at once. I will say from personal experience that of those 3, AP English Language will be the most challenging.
Which AP is easiest? ›
Easiest AP exams by pass rate
| AP Subject | Pass Rate (Exam Score of 3+) | Median Score |
|---|
| Ap Physics C Mechanics | 73.4% | 3.41 |
| AP Psychology | 58.3% | 2.71 |
| AP Research | 82.7% | 3.3 |
| AP Seminar | 82.6% | 3.19 |
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Some college admissions experts recommend taking as many as 7-12 AP courses before applying to the most elite universities. However, students who take 4-5 AP courses can still qualify for good schools, including many of the country's top public research institutions.
How many aps do most students take? ›
People that go to an average University take like 2–3 AP classes. People that go to a bit selective Unuversities take like 4–7 AP classes. People that go to Top Universities like Harvard or Yale take like 8–10 AP classes.
How many aps do colleges look at? ›
Aim for four to eight AP exams in your junior and senior years. For competitive Ivy League schools, admission officers also want to see AP courses for core subject areas and additional courses. If possible, aim to pass about seven to 12 AP exams if applying to these highly selective schools.
What APs should you take junior year? ›
When Should I Take AP Classes?
| Grade | Recommended Number of AP Classes to Take | Recommended AP Classes |
|---|
| 11th Grade | 3-5 | English, Calculus AB, Biology, Spanish (or other foreign language), U.S. Government and Politics |
| 12th Grade | 3-6 | Chemistry, Physics C, Calculus BC |
2 more rows6–7 AP classes is plenty. Many people get admitted to UC with fewer than that. Instead of adding another AP course, look to make sure you have extracurriculars showing leadership and at least a couple teachers who know you well who can write you strong recommendations.
Is 4 AP classes too much? ›
However, students who take 4-5 AP courses can still qualify for good schools, including many of the country's top public research institutions. Students should balance taking AP courses with maintaining a healthy schedule to avoid burnout.
How many APs should i take before senior year? ›
A manageable workload could be anywhere from 3 to 5 AP classes, provided you've already taken several in your junior year. Remember, it's about your ability to succeed in these courses, not just about taking as many as possible.
