What Are The Most Popular AP Classes in 2026?

Choosing your AP classes can feel like one of the biggest decisions of high school. Friends are telling you what they're taking. Teachers are nudging you towards certain courses. And your own interests are pulling you in three directions at once.

It helps to know what everyone else is actually choosing, but popularity won't make your decision for you. However, it shows you which courses are widely offered, well-resourced, and trusted by other students.

This guide ranks the most popular AP classes using the latest College Board data, explains why they top the list, and shows you how to decide what's right for you. 

Key Takeaways

• English and History dominate. AP English Language and Composition is the most-taken AP exam, followed by US History and English Literature.

• STEM stays strong. AP Calculus AB, Biology, and Statistics all sit comfortably in the top 10.

• Popularity reflects access, not difficulty. The biggest courses are the ones most schools offer and most universities expect.

Why Students Want to Know Which AP Classes Are Popular

There are several good reasons you’re 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 have more resources available - more textbooks, more online videos, more practice tests. 

• You want to understand scheduling ease. More popular classes have multiple sessions, 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

The table below ranks the 10 AP classes with the highest number of registered test-takers, based on the 2025 College Board student score distribution data. (opens in a new tab)

In total, the May 2025 administration saw 6,182,171 AP exams taken by 3,243,979 students across 23,664 schools.

Why These AP Classes Are So Popular

Each of these subjects earned its spot for specific reasons.

English Language and Composition sits at number one. It teaches rhetoric, argument, and analysis - skills that apply to almost any field. Many schools push it precisely because it transfers so widely.

US History comes second. History is a core subject in American education, and many states require it. It also helps students make sense of current events and weigh up evidence.

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

World History: Modern appeals to anyone interested in the bigger global picture. Its broad sweep makes it feel more engaging than some narrower history options.

US Government and Politics is booming in a politically charged world. It's especially popular in election years and with future law and politics students.

Psychology is one of the most loved AP courses because it's so relatable. Understanding human behaviour feels immediately useful.

Biology draws students aiming for medicine, vet science, and health careers. It's often seen as the most accessible AP science.

Calculus AB is the standard math step after pre-calculus. Many STEM universities expect it, so it's essential for certain pathways.

Human Geography is frequently a student's first AP, often taken in Year 10 or 11. It's approachable but still rigorous. 

Statistics closes out the top 10. As data takes over every field, more students see the value - and it's a great alternative to calculus for non-STEM students.

Common Factors Behind Their Popularity

Beyond the individual subjects, a few shared factors explain why these 10 dominate.

They're widely offered. It's a positive cycle: schools run them because students want them, and students choose them because schools run them.

They align with university expectations. Admissions officers expect core subjects. English, math, science, and history signal that you've taken on fundamental, challenging work. 

Our guide on how AP credits work for university covers this in detail.

They have strong teacher support. Common courses attract investment in training and resources, so you're more likely to get an experienced teacher.

Resources are abundant. Popular courses come with mountains of practice papers, revision notes, and video tutorials. 

Save My Exams has a huge bank of AP revision resources, especially for the biggest subjects.

They fit standard pathways. Most US students take English and history each year, math through calculus where possible, and at least one science.

Most Popular AP Classes by Subject Area

Here's where the trends really sit when you break them down by area.

1. Humanities lead by a mile. AP English Language, US History, English Literature, World History, and US Government make up five of the top 10. That reflects how much American education values literacy and communication.

2. Social sciences are rising. Psychology and Human Geography both feature, with Psychology well ahead of options like Economics or European History.

3. STEM holds its own. Calculus AB, Biology, and Statistics all rank in the top 10 — though collectively, the humanities pull higher total enrolment.

4. Arts and languages sit lower. No arts subjects (Music Theory, Art History, Studio Art) or world languages crack the top 10. Spanish Language and Culture is the biggest language AP, but it still falls short of the highest figures.

Are the Most Popular AP Classes Right for You?

Popularity is helpful information. It doesn't automatically make these the right picks for you.

Play to your strengths. Brilliant at math but dread essays? AP English Literature might not be your move, however popular it is.

Follow your interests. Two years of a subject you find dull is rough, no matter how many classmates are doing it.

Check university requirements. Aiming for engineering? AP Physics or Chemistry beats Biology. Want to study literature? English Lit beats Statistics. Match your APs to your intended major. 

Our guide on how many APs you need for Ivy League colleges can help.

Balance breadth and depth. Spreading across areas - one English, one math, one science, one social science - shows versatility.

Don't overload. Popular doesn't mean you should take all of them. Pick a manageable number around your other commitments.

Weigh up the teacher. A brilliant teacher in a niche subject can beat a mediocre one in a popular subject. Ask older students who's good.

Pros and Cons of Choosing a Popular AP Class

There are real trade-offs to picking from the most popular courses. Here's how they stack up.

Next steps: You’ve checked out the most popular AP courses. Now why not explore the least popular AP courses. You never know - a niche class might inspire you.

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.

Nail Your AP Scores with Save My Exams

The most popular AP classes top the list because they're widely offered, align with what universities expect, and build skills that travel across subjects. That makes them a safe starting point.

But "popular" isn't the same as "right for you." The best AP choices play to your strengths, match your intended major, and keep your workload manageable. Pick a course you'll actually enjoy, and you're far more likely to score well in it.

Once you've chosen, the work begins. Save My Exams has AP revision notes, exam questions, and practice papers, all written by teachers and examiners to help you turn a tough course into a top score.

Choose smart, revise smarter, and good luck with your AP journey.

References

AP - 2025 College Board student score distribution data. (opens in a new tab)