What Are The Most Popular AP Classes in 2025?

Choosing AP classes can feel like a massive decision. You've got friends telling you what they're taking, teachers suggesting courses, and your own interests pulling you in different directions.

But what are most students actually choosing? Understanding which AP classes are most popular can help you see what's working for other students and help you decide what makes sense for your goals. We’ll look at the data to take you through it. 

Key Takeaways

• English and history courses dominate. AP English Language and Composition is the most requested exam, followed by US History and English Literature.

• STEM subjects remain strong. AP Calculus, Biology, and Statistics all rank in the top 10 most popular classes.

• Social sciences are growing. AP Psychology and US Government are amongst the most commonly chosen courses.

• Popularity reflects availability and college requirements. The most popular APs are widely offered in schools and align with common university expectations.

• Your goals matter more than trends. Whilst popularity is useful to know, your strengths, interests, and future plans should guide your choices.

Why Students Want to Know Which AP Classes Are Popular

There are several good reasons you might be researching popular AP classes.

• You want social validation. It's natural to wonder what everyone else is doing.

• You're trying to predict what your school offers. Popular classes are more likely to be available at your school. 

• You're looking for tried-and-tested subjects. Popular classes typically have more resources available—more textbooks, more online videos, more practice tests. 

• You want to understand scheduling ease. More popular classes often have multiple sections, making it easier to fit them into your timetable without conflicts.

• You're curious about competition. On the flip side, knowing what's popular helps you understand where competition might be fiercest, both in your school and on a national level.

Understanding popularity is useful, but it's just one factor. Let's look at the actual numbers.

Top 10 Most Popular AP Classes by Enrolment

Based on College Board data from November 2024 (opens in a new tab) exam registrations, here are the ten AP classes with the highest number of test-takers.

These numbers represent exam registrations from autumn 2024 for exams taken in May 2025. You can see how each of these classes has grown by looking at previous years’ data (opens in a new tab).

Why These AP Classes Are So Popular

Each of these subjects earned its spot in the top ten for specific reasons.

English Language and Composition sits at number one. It's popular because it focuses on rhetoric, argument, and analysis—skills that apply to virtually any field. Many schools encourage students to take it because the skills transfer so broadly.

US History comes in second. History is a core subject in American education, and many states require it. The course also helps students understand current events and develop critical thinking about sources and evidence.

English Literature rounds out the English courses. Lit focuses on analysing fiction, poetry, and drama. Students who love reading and discussing books tend to gravitate towards it.

World History. This course appeals to students interested in global perspectives and those who find the scope of world events fascinating. It's also seen as slightly more engaging than some other history options because of its broad coverage.

US Government and Politics. In an increasingly political world, students want to understand how government works. This course is particularly popular during election years and with students considering law or political careers.

Psychology. It's one of the most beloved AP courses because it's directly applicable to everyday life. Understanding human behaviour, mental processes, and social dynamics feels immediately relevant.

Calculus AB. It's the standard maths progression for students who've completed pre-calculus. Many STEM-focused universities expect or require calculus, making it essential for certain pathways.

Biology. As a life science, it appeals to students interested in medicine, veterinary science, environmental science, and health careers. It's often seen as the most accessible of the AP sciences.

Human Geography. This course is frequently taken by younger students (in Year 10 or 11) as a first AP. It's considered approachable whilst still being rigorous, making it a popular entry point. Our article on how hard Human Geography is will tell you more.

Statistics rounds out the top ten. As data becomes central to every field, students recognise the value of understanding statistical analysis. It's also seen as a useful alternative or supplement to calculus for students not pursuing heavy STEM fields.

Why These AP Classes Are So Popular

Beyond the individual subjects, several common factors explain why these ten courses dominate.

They're widely offered. Popular classes create a positive cycle. Schools offer them because students want them, and students choose them because schools offer them. If your school only runs ten AP courses, these are likely amongst them.

They align with university requirements. Admissions officers expect to see core subjects. English, maths, sciences, and history signal that you've tackled challenging, fundamental coursework. Check out our article on how AP credits work for university entrance.

They have strong teacher support. Because these courses are common, schools invest in training teachers and purchasing resources. You're more likely to have an experienced teacher and access to quality materials.

Resources are abundant. Popular courses have mountains of practice tests, review books, YouTube channels, and online forums. Save My Exams has tonnes of AP resources, especially for the most common subjects.

They're perceived as valuable. Students believe these courses offer skills or knowledge that will genuinely help them. Whether it's learning to write persuasively, understand government, or analyse data, the content feels worth the effort.

They fit standard pathways. Most US students take English and history every year, maths through calculus if possible, and at least one science. 

Popular AP Classes by Subject Area

Let's break down popularity across different academic areas to see where the trends really sit.

Humanities

The humanities dominate the top ten. AP English Language, US History, English Literature, World History, and US Government account for five of the ten most popular courses. This reflects the importance of literacy, communication, and historical understanding in American education.

Social Sciences

Psychology and Human Geography represent social sciences in the top ten. Psychology is the clear winner here, with significantly higher enrolment than most other social science options like Economics or European History.

STEM

STEM subjects hold their own with Calculus AB, Biology, and Statistics in the top ten. However, it's worth noting that whilst individual STEM subjects are popular, collectively the humanities courses have higher total enrolment.

Arts

No arts subjects (Music Theory, Art History, Studio Art) appear in the top ten. These courses have dedicated fanbases but much smaller cohorts overall.

Languages

No foreign language courses make the top ten. Spanish Language and Culture is the most popular language AP, but even it doesn't break into the highest enrolment figures.

Are the Most Popular AP Classes Right for You?

Popularity is useful information, but it doesn't automatically make these the right choices for you.

Consider your strengths. If you're brilliant at maths but struggle with essays, AP English Literature might not be your best choice even though it's popular. Similarly, if you excel at languages, don't skip AP Spanish just because it's not in the top ten.

Think about your interests. Two years of studying something you find boring is rough, regardless of how many other students are doing it. If psychology fascinates you but history puts you to sleep, follow your genuine curiosity.

Check university requirements. If you're aiming for engineering, AP Biology won't help as much as AP Physics or Chemistry. If you want to study literature, AP Statistics is less relevant than AP English Literature. Match your APs to your intended major. Our article on how many APs to get into IVY League colleges will give you more information.

Balance breadth and depth. Universities like to see well-rounded students. Taking popular courses across different areas (one English, one maths, one science, one social science) demonstrates versatility.

Don't overload. Just because these classes are popular doesn't mean you should take all of them. Choose a manageable number based on your other commitments and stress tolerance.

Evaluate teacher quality. A mediocre teacher in a popular subject might serve you worse than an excellent teacher in a less common one. Talk to older students about which teachers are genuinely good.

Consider alternatives. If AP Calculus AB is full but AP Statistics has space, that might influence your choice. Or if your school offers AP Environmental Science with a fantastic teacher, it could be a better pick than AP Biology despite lower popularity.

Pros and Cons of Choosing a Popular AP Class

There are legitimate advantages and disadvantages to choosing from the most popular AP courses.

Pros

• Abundant resources. Popular APs have extensive study materials. You'll find countless YouTube tutorials, practice exams, review books, and online communities ready to help.

• Experienced teachers. Schools invest in training for popular courses. Your teacher has likely taught the subject multiple times and knows it well.

• Peer support. Chances are, several classmates are taking the same course. You can form study groups, compare notes, and tackle difficult concepts together.

• Scheduling flexibility. Popular classes often have multiple sections, giving you more options for fitting them into your timetable.

• University credit is common. Because these courses are widely taken, universities have clear policies about accepting them for credit. You know what score you need and what credit you'll receive.

• They signal rigour. Taking core AP subjects shows universities you've challenged yourself in fundamental areas they care about.

Cons

• Higher competition. Thousands of students are taking these exams. The curve can be brutal, especially in classes like Calculus or English where there's significant competition for top scores.

• Less uniqueness. Taking only popular APs won't make you stand out on university applications. You'll look like everyone else.

• Potentially larger class sizes. Popular courses might have more students per section, meaning less individual attention from teachers.

• You might not genuinely enjoy them. Following popularity could land you in a subject that doesn't match your interests or strengths.

• Workload assumptions. Teachers and schools sometimes pile work onto popular AP classes, assuming students can handle it because "everyone takes it."

The key is balancing these factors against your personal situation. Popular courses offer real advantages, but they're not automatically the best choice for every student.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular AP class overall?

AP English Language and Composition is the most popular AP class, with 599,764 exam registrations in autumn 2024. It's popular because the skills apply broadly across disciplines. Many schools encourage students to take it. 

Are popular AP classes easier than less common ones?

Not necessarily. Popularity doesn't correlate directly with difficulty. Popularity reflects factors like availability, perceived usefulness, and school requirements more than actual difficulty. Always check pass rates and score distributions for specific subjects to gauge difficulty. Check out our article on whether AP classes are hard to find out more.

Does taking a popular AP help with college admissions?

Popular APs help admissions in the sense that they're core subjects universities expect to see. However, taking only popular APs won't make you stand out. Admissions officers see these courses constantly. What matters more is performing well in your chosen APs and selecting courses that align with your intended major. 

Final Thoughts

The most popular AP classes in 2025 reflect what students value: strong communication skills, historical understanding, mathematical ability, and scientific knowledge. English, history, maths, and science courses dominate because they're widely offered, align with university expectations, and provide skills that transfer across fields.

But popularity is just a starting point.

Your AP choices should reflect your strengths, interests, and goals. If you genuinely love a less common subject like AP Music Theory or AP Art History, pursue it. Universities want to see that you've challenged yourself and done well. They care more about your performance and genuine engagement than whether you picked the most enrolled courses.

Good luck with your AP journey!

References 

• 10 Most Requested APs November 2024 (opens in a new tab)

• AP EXAM VOLUME CHANGES (2014 - 2024) (opens in a new tab)