Full List of AP Courses To Choose From

Choosing your AP courses can feel overwhelming when you're staring at a long list of options. Should you pick subjects you love? Classes that look good to universities? Or ones that'll actually help you in the future?

The wrong AP choices can leave you stressed, struggling with subjects that don't interest you, or missing out on college credit opportunities. But selecting the right combination of AP courses can transform your university application and earn you valuable college credits.

This guide provides the full list of AP courses available, organised by subject area, so you can make informed decisions about which ones are right for you. Read on to find out more.

Key Takeaways

• There are 40 AP courses currently offered across multiple disciplines.

• Subjects span the humanities, STEM fields, arts and world languages.

• Some APs are significantly more popular or more challenging than others.

• Your AP choices should depend on your academic strengths, interests, and university goals.

How AP Courses Work

AP (Advanced Placement) courses are college-level classes taught in secondary schools across the United States and internationally. These courses are designed by the College Board (opens in a new tab) and prepare you for university.

Each AP course culminates in a standardised exam held every May. If you score a 3 or higher on the AP exam (on a scale of 1-5), you could: 

• Earn college credit

• Skip introductory courses at university

The AP scoring system works like this:

Universities set their own policies about which scores they accept for credit, so always check with your target institutions, and have a read of our AP Credit Overview for more detail.

Full List of AP Courses by Category

AP English Courses

AP English Language and Composition – Focuses on persuasive writing, rhetorical analysis and crafting arguments across different contexts and purposes.

AP English Literature – Centres on reading and analysing classic and contemporary literature, developing critical interpretation skills.

AP Maths Courses

AP Calculus AB – Covers the fundamentals of differential and integral calculus, equivalent to an introductory university calculus course.

AP Calculus BC – A more advanced calculus course covering all AB content plus additional topics like parametric equations and polar functions.

AP Precalculus – Prepares students for calculus by covering functions, trigonometry and mathematical modelling.

AP Statistics – Explores data collection, analysis and statistical reasoning used in real-world applications.

AP Science Courses

AP Biology – Investigates living systems through four big ideas: evolution, energy transfer, information storage and systems interactions.

AP Chemistry – Examines atomic structure, chemical reactions and the properties of matter at a molecular level.

AP Environmental Science – Studies ecological systems, sustainability and environmental challenges facing our planet.

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based – Covers fundamental physics concepts including mechanics, waves and electricity using algebra.

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based – Continues with fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, modern physics and more advanced topics.

AP Physics C: Mechanics – An intensive calculus-based study of classical mechanics for STEM-focused students.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism – Advanced calculus-based exploration of electromagnetic theory and applications.

AP History and Social Sciences Courses

AP United States History – Examines American history from pre-Columbian times to the present, analysing key events, movements and themes.

AP African American Studies – Examines the history, culture, politics and social experiences of African Americans and the African diaspora.

AP European History – Studies European civilisation from the Renaissance to contemporary times.

AP World History: Modern – Investigates significant events, individuals, developments and processes from 1200 to the present.

AP United States Government and Politics – Explores the American political system, constitutional principles and civic participation.

AP Comparative Government and Politics – Compares political systems, structures and policies across six different countries.

AP Human Geography – Studies patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use and alteration of Earth's surface.

AP Psychology – Provides systematic and scientific study of human behaviour and mental processes.

AP Macroeconomics – Examines national and global economic systems, including inflation, unemployment and fiscal policy.

AP Microeconomics – Analyses individual economic decision-making, market structures and resource allocation.

AP World Languages and Cultures Courses

AP Chinese Language and Culture – Develops proficiency in Mandarin Chinese whilst exploring Chinese cultural perspectives.

AP French Language and Culture – Builds communication skills in French through interpersonal, interpretive and presentational modes.

AP German Language and Culture – Cultivates understanding of German language and culture in real-life contexts.

AP Italian Language and Culture – Applies interpersonal, interpretive and presentational communication skills in Italian.

AP Japanese Language and Culture – Develops Japanese language proficiency whilst exploring Japanese cultural traditions.

AP Latin – Studies classical Latin through reading original works by authors like Virgil and Caesar.

AP Spanish Language and Culture – Enhances Spanish communication skills across different modes and cultural contexts.

AP Spanish Literature and Culture – Explores literary works from Spain and Latin America from the Middle Ages to today.

AP Arts Courses

AP 2-D Art and Design – Develops skills in two-dimensional design through a portfolio of original work.

AP 3-D Art and Design (opens in a new tab) – Focuses on three-dimensional design and sculptural work through portfolio development.

AP Art History – Surveys global art from prehistory to contemporary times, analysing style, context and meaning.

AP Drawing – Creates a portfolio demonstrating drawing skills, techniques and artistic development.

AP Music Theory – Studies the fundamentals of music composition, harmony and aural skills.

AP Computer Science Courses

AP Computer Science A – Introduces object-oriented programming using Java and fundamental computing concepts.

AP Computer Science Principles – Explores computational thinking, algorithms, programming and the impact of computing on society.

AP Interdisciplinary Courses

AP Capstone (AP Seminar and AP Research) – A two-year programme developing independent research, collaboration and communication skills.

Which AP Courses Should You Choose?

Selecting the right AP courses isn't about loading up on as many as possible. It’s about working smart. Here are some questions that should help you narrow your subject choice focus:

It’s important to note that the most competitive universities expect you to take the toughest core courses available at your school, including AP English, Calculus or Statistics, US, World or European History, and at least one science.

Most Popular AP Courses

Some AP courses consistently attract more students than others.

According to the Hechinger Report (opens in a new tab), the most requested AP exams include: 

• AP English Language and Composition (the single most popular exam)

  • Popular because it fulfils English requirements and develops essential writing skills useful for any major.

• AP United States History

  • Popular because it provides deep knowledge of American society and politics whilst developing critical thinking skills.

• AP English Literature

  • Popular because it develops analysis, writing, reading, and creativity skills.

• AP Calculus AB

  • Popular because it is a staple for STEM students and meets maths requirements at most universities.

• AP United States Government and Politics

  • Popular because it takes a deeper look at the dynamics underpinning American society.

How Many AP Courses Do Students Typically Take?

The number of AP courses varies dramatically depending on individual circumstances and university ambitions. On average, students might take 3 to 5 AP classes throughout secondary school.

However, this number can be higher or lower based on your: 

• Academic capabilities

• University goals

• Ability to manage the workload

Students aiming for Ivy League universities in the United States tend to take and pass 10+ AP classes throughout their secondary school career.

Remember: it's more important to excel in fewer AP courses than to earn mediocre grades in many. Strong performance in a reasonable number of APs demonstrates both ambition and good judgement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between an AP course and exam?

An AP course is the year-long class you take at school, taught by your teacher following College Board guidelines. The AP exam is the standardised test you sit in May that's marked by the College Board.

Can I take AP courses online?

Yes, many schools now offer online AP courses, and several accredited online education providers deliver AP courses.

Check with the College Board to ensure any online provider is authorised to teach AP curriculum.

Do I have to take the AP exam if I take the course?

It depends on your school's policy. Many schools require students enrolled in AP courses to sit the corresponding exam. However, there's no universal rule enforced by the College Board. It’s important to sit the exam if you want to earn college credit.

Can I self-study for an AP exam?

Yes. The College Board allows anyone to register for and sit AP exams, regardless of whether they've taken the course.

Self-studying is becoming more common. However, you'll need to register through a school or authorised test centre that administers AP exams, even if you're not enrolled there.

Nail Your AP Exams with Save My Exams

Choosing your AP courses is one of the most important academic decisions you'll make during secondary school. With 40 AP courses available, there's something for virtually every academic interest and career path.

And with Save My Exams, there’s no need to waste time trawling through websites or using AI tools that don’t know precisely what you need. Our teacher-written AP resources pinpoint exactly what to revise, help you identify your weak points, and show you how to improve. Explore our AP revision notes and past papers, and ace your AP exams.

References

College Board - AP Courses (opens in a new tab)

Hechinger Report (opens in a new tab)