What is the Hardest AP Class? Full Rankings

Are you looking at the list of 40 AP classes offered by the College Board and wondering where to begin? 

Maybe you have wondered which is the easiest, and what is the hardest AP class. You are in the right place! We are going to break down the real data so you can see each test’s difficulty rating. 

What Do We Mean by “Hard”?

What is it that makes one AP course “harder” than another? It’s not just one thing that makes an AP class hard. It really depends on several factors that affect students in different ways. In general, there are five aspects of an AP course that make one AP class harder than another.

Pass Rate

A specific AP exam’s pass rate can indicate its difficulty. A score of 3 or above is considered “passing.” Lower pass rates can mean the content or exam is harder for most students.

Grade 5-Rates

The number of students who achieve the top score of 5 on the AP exam can indicate the difficulty of the content and exam. AP exams with fewer grade 5s usually indicate more difficult content. 

Homework and Reading Load

Each AP class will have different homework and reading requirements. Some AP classes will require a lot of reading, while others focus on problem-solving.

Conceptual Complexity

STEM subjects are more likely to involve abstract mathematical concepts. The humanities involve a deep analysis of texts and ideas.

Writing Expectations

AP classes can have different writing requirements. The AP essay courses, for example, involve longer and more detailed writing assignments.

These factors can make one AP class harder than another. However, keep in mind that difficulty is subjective. You may enjoy the process of writing, but hate problem-solving. Someone else may enjoy breaking down equations and mathematical concepts, but find writing more difficult.

Your strengths and weaknesses play a big role in making one AP class feel “harder” than another to you.

Hardest AP Classes by Pass Rate and 5 Rate

Each year, the College Board releases AP exam score distributions. This can help us see which AP classes tend to be more difficult for students to get higher scores on. Check out this table using the 2025 College Board AP Score Distribution (opens in a new tab) data. It shows the AP classes with the lowest pass rates (percentage of students scoring 3 or higher) and the lowest percentage of 5 scores.

In 2025, the AP classes with the lowest pass rate include AP Latin, AP Statistics, and AP Music Theory. The AP classes with fewer students with a score of 5 include AP Spanish Literature & Culture, AP Computer Science Principles, AP Latin, and AP Environmental Science. These can give us a good idea of the difficulty of each class, but each AP subject can have its own challenges.

Hardest APs by Subject Category

So, what are the hardest AP classes? That’s a good question, because it varies for everyone. One person may struggle with classes that require a lot of reading. Another person may not feel like they do well in math. Of course, some classes may seem harder or be more demanding than others. Even if you hit a tough spot in a class, just remember that there is plenty of help and support available if you need it. 
Hardest STEM APs

AP Physics C (Mechanics/E&M)

This calculus-based physics course offers an exciting opportunity to explore university-level concepts in just one year. While the material is challenging, it's also deeply rewarding—perfect for students who enjoy problem-solving and want to strengthen their understanding of physics and advanced math. With curiosity, determination, and consistent effort, you'll build skills that will serve you well in future science and engineering courses.

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry offers a great opportunity to stretch your thinking and deepen your understanding of how the world works at a molecular level. You'll take on exciting challenges that build your skills in solving multi-step problems, applying abstract logic, and thinking spatially. As you explore topics like chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and molecular behavior, you’ll also get hands-on experience through lab work—designing experiments, analyzing results, and making meaningful scientific conclusions. It’s a rigorous course, but one that rewards curiosity, persistence, and a love of discovery.

AP Calculus BC

Ready to take on the challenge of college-level calculus in just one academic year? AP Calculus is a fast-paced and exciting course that builds on your strong math foundation as you explore concepts like limits, derivatives, and integrals. With focus and consistent effort, you'll sharpen your problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of how math applies to the real world. This class will help prepare you for future success in STEM and beyond.

Hardest Humanities & Social Science APs

AP English Literature

In this AP class, you’ll explore powerful stories, poems, and plays from different periods and cultures. Along the way, you’ll sharpen your reading and writing skills, especially through practice with timed essays that help you confidently tackle the poetry, prose, and drama you'll see on the AP exam.

AP U.S. History

Taking AP U.S. History is a chance to explore the stories, events, and people that shaped America over hundreds of years. You’ll dive into fascinating material and strengthen your reading and thinking skills along the way. On the AP exam, you’ll get to show off how well you can connect ideas across time periods and analyze historical sources in your own words.

AP World History

AP World History takes you on a journey through global civilizations, from ancient times all the way to the modern world. It’s a big picture class that helps you see how cultures connect and how history unfolds across time. You’ll explore fascinating stories and ideas from around the globe. Yes, there’s some memorizing involved(names, dates, and events), but with consistent effort and a little curiosity, you’ll build a strong understanding that makes it all come together. The synthesis essays are your chance to show how different pieces of history fit into the larger world picture.

Hardest Interdisciplinary or Project-Based APs

AP Seminar

In this course, you’ll get the exciting opportunity to explore real-world problems and share your discoveries with peers and teachers. It’s a chance to dive deep into topics that matter and build your confidence as a researcher and presenter. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your project management and academic research skills, which are tools that will benefit you in high school, college, and beyond. With curiosity and persistence, you’ll learn how to turn big questions into meaningful presentations.

AP Research

One of the most exciting parts of this AP class is the opportunity to conduct your own original research and write an independent paper, just like a college-level scholar. You'll learn how to ask thoughtful questions, explore reliable sources, and build a strong argument based on your findings. Writing a 4,000 to 5,000-word paper might sound big at first, but it’s a chance to dive deep into a topic you care about and develop skills that will prepare you for college and your future career. With a little guidance and determination, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

AP Art & Design

In this AP course, you’ll have the chance to build a creative portfolio that reflects your unique artistic voice and growth over time. It’s a rewarding experience where you can showcase your technical skills and creative development through a single, cohesive body of work. While it does take time and dedication, it’s also an opportunity to focus on something you're passionate about. With steady effort and a love for creating, you’ll build a portfolio you can be proud of—and that can open doors to future opportunities in art and design.

“Hardest” vs “Right Fit”: Which APs Are Hard for You?

Even if a class is considered “hard,” that doesn’t mean it’s hard for you personally. An AP class may demand a lot from you, but your individual strengths and interests mean more than a class’s general difficulty ranking. This simple, 5-question checklist can help you find the APs that fit your learning style best.

 Take This 5-Question Checklist:

1. Do you prefer math and logic or reading and writing?

STEM subjects fit logical, mathematical thinkers. Humanities appeal to people who love analysis and argument.

2. Can you manage weekly labs, essays, or large projects?

Some AP classes demand consistent weekly work, while others have intensive periods with some lighter loads from time to time.

3. How do you handle timed assessments and pressure?

Portfolio-based courses and exam-heavy subjects present different challenges. 

4. What subjects interest you most — even when they’re tough?

Having a passion for a particular subject can help you push through difficult concepts and heavy workloads.

5. Are you taking other demanding courses at the same time?

Your total academic load can have an effect on how challenging individual AP classes can feel to you.

Should You Take a “Hard” AP Class?

Challenging yourself with “hard” AP classes can pay off for you, as long as you have a good strategy. Here are a couple of reasons it is worth it to challenge yourself:

• College admissions officers value academic rigor. Taking tough AP courses shows that you can handle challenging courses and that you are not afraid of difficult topics. 

• AP courses can lead to college credit or advanced placement. Successfully completing a hard AP class can help you skip introductory courses in college and dive straight into more advanced materials.

On the other hand, before you sign up for harder AP classes, you’ll want to consider a couple of other important things.

• Take hard AP courses only if they fit your skills and your schedule. Taking a brutal course load that doesn’t play into your strengths can lead to poor performance. This can negatively affect your AP exam scores as well as your regular schoolwork, too.

• Success in “moderate” AP courses can be better than burnout and failure in harder ones. Universities would rather see a strong performance in courses that challenge you, rather than lower scores in courses that were too difficult for you.

When choosing your AP classes, think about your overall academic goals, university requirements, and your own well-being.

Tips for Tackling a Challenging AP Class

If you are ready to take on harder AP classes, having good study habits and strong strategies can help you succeed. Here are some of our tips to help you do well.

Use Past Exam Questions to Study Smarter

Past papers can be a great asset. The College Board releases free-response questions from previous years, which lets you practice with real AP exam materials. 

Don’t wait until right before your AP exam date to practice FRQs. If you start early, you can become familiar with the format. Make sure to time yourself when practicing your questions. This helps you get ready for the pressure of working under time constraints.

You can also find past exams and exam-style questions at Save My Exams. 

 Join Study Groups or Find Online Resources

Studying hard concepts or complex ideas with others can help you learn them. Finding study groups or an online community that is focused on your AP subject can be a huge help. Explaining concepts to others helps reinforce your own understanding. Teaching peers can identify gaps in your knowledge.

Check out online resources like Save My Exams, which provides a variety of tools to help you study better. Work through revision notes, past papers, mock exams, and use study aids like flashcards.

Break Down the Syllabus into Weekly Goals

Break down the syllabus into smaller, weekly goals. Create a study schedule that lets you spread major topics out across the academic year.

Set specific, measurable goals for each week. For example, “learn about photosynthesis” is too vague. Be more specific, such as “complete Chapter 8 readings, and practice FRQs on cellular respiration.”

Review previous material regularly to prevent forgetting it. And dedicate time weekly to revisit topics you’ve covered early, along with the new content.

Talk to Students Who’ve Taken It Before

If you want a good idea of exactly what you’re going through, talk to students who have taken the AP class before. They can offer you some valuable insights into the workload, study strategies, and exam prep.

Ask them specific questions about how they managed time, which topics they found most challenging, and some of their successful study methods. This type of real-life experience is better than general advice.

Make it a point to connect with other students through school clubs, academic societies, and social media. Most students are happy to share tips and pointers.

Use Active Study Techniques

Passive reading isn’t going to work well when covering challenging AP subjects. Active techniques will engage your brain and improve retention. Some examples include:

• Create Concept Maps. This helps you link related ideas across various units. Building a visual connection improves retention, which is helpful on exams.

• Write Practice Essays. Consistently writing essays will help you build strong writing skills.

• Teach Concepts Out Loud. Talk about the concepts you are learning. Teach them to imaginary students or your family members. When you can explain concepts clearly, you understand them well enough for the exam.

• Form Study Questions. Write out study questions while you are reading assignments. Converting passive reading into active questioning improves your comprehension and retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardest AP exam to score a 5 on?

Traditionally, math and science AP exams, and the essay exams, are viewed as the most difficult AP exams to score a 5 on. But it ultimately depends on your strengths and weaknesses. Just because one subject is hard for one student doesn’t mean it’s hard for everyone.

Do colleges care more about hard APs or good grades?

Most colleges look for a balance between challenging coursework (hard APs) and strong grades. Admissions officials will consider both academic rigor and GPA, but ideally, applicants who take hard classes and score well in them will be favored.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the “hardest” AP classes will depend on you. Your skills, interests, and schedule influence how difficult a class is for you. What feels really difficult for one student, may be another person’s favorite subject. 

Don’t let the data talk you into fearing classes. Use it to make informed choices when it comes to the AP classes you take. Pass rates and other statistics can help you understand what you are signing up for, but they shouldn’t scare you away from AP classes you are really interested in. 

With the right mindset and some support, even the hardest APs are doable. With proper planning, good study habits, and some help from other students and teachers, you can succeed in your academic endeavors. Just be honest about your strengths and weaknesses and choose AP classes that will stretch you without breaking you. You’ll be glad you stepped up to the challenge. 

References

AP Classes Offered (opens in a new tab)

2025 College Board AP Classes Score Distribution (opens in a new tab)