Do you want to score the perfect grade in every AP subject you enroll in? Do you want to earn college credits without much hassle?
Then this read is for you as I will tell you everything you need to know about the easiest AP classes that will do wonders in getting you those college credits you deserve.
Factors That Determine The Easiest AP Classes
Out of 38 different AP subjects globally, how can we determine which AP classes are the easiest?
Several factors determine the difficulty level of an AP, but they can be objective and subjective.
Let me tell you about the factors you should consider if you want to opt for the easiest AP classes to earn college credits.
Statistic: Stats such as pass rate and perfect score can help you determine the easiest AP Classes. Even though they are hard-cold truths, numerous reasons can contribute to the higher percentage of students scoring the perfect grade or even the pass rate.
The highest percentage of pass rate of an AP does not dictate it to be an easy AP subject. It can also mean that most students opting for those AP courses are diligent, hard-working, and already fulfill the prerequisites required.
Students’ Evaluation: An AP subject is easy when the students are pursuing that particular subject or have already studied tell you so. Students can review a specific AP subject based on its volume and depth of course material. Also, the quality of the teacher amounts significantly to making a subject comprehensible.
Easiest AP Classes That Will Help You Earn College Credits
So far, we have established the truth that enrolling in AP classes is a great way to earn college credits. But how should you determine the easiest AP classes? Should you base it on the pass rate or the students’ feedback?
Let’s look at both.
Easiest AP Classes According To Pass Rate
The pass rate is one of the major factors through which we can determine the difficulty level in AP.
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 84.3% | 41.6% |
| Calculus BC | 81.6% | 44.6% |
| Spanish Literature | 75.1% | 17.6% |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 74.4% | 40.4% |
| Physics 2 | 73.3% | 14% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
1. AP Physics C: Mechanics
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 84.3% | 41.6% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
AP Physics C: Mechanics is one of the four AP Physics offered by the College Board, the other Advanced Placement Physics classes being AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, and AP Physics C: Mechanics.
The paradox is that AP Physics C: Mechanics is considered one of the most difficult Advanced Placement classes. Then why does it have the highest pass rate amongst all others APs?
Well, the answer is simple. Most students opting for AP Physics C: Mechanics already have the prerequisites required to score well. AP Physics C: Mechanics takers generally have a firm grip on mathematics and science, which makes this AP a breeze for them.
Also, the duration of AP Physics C: Mechanics is only half a year long. Therefore, the AP Physics C: Mechanics syllabus is less bulky than the other APs, making it relatively less time-consuming and complex.
2. AP Calculus BC
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Calculus BC | 81.6% | 44.6% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
As per the above table, AP Calculus BC has a higher percentage of students scoring perfect grades than in average AP subjects. But, just like AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Calculus BC also falls under the category of one of the most challenging AP subjects.
The reason being? Students with a good aptitude in mathematics opt for AP Calculus BC. AP Calculus BC is one of the two AP Calculus classes offered by the College Board, the other being AP Calculus AB. AP Calculus BC is the more advanced of the two APs because it is designed to build of the skills students learn in AP Calculus AB. Therefore, students enrolling in AP Calculus BC already have a substantial mathematical background.
Check out EnthuZiastic AP Courses to learn with the best teachers.
3. AP Spanish Literature and Culture
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Spanish Literature and Culture | 75.1% | 17.6% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
AP Spanish Literature and Culture has a high pass rate of 75.1%. However, the percentage of students scoring perfect grades is close to average AP students.
AP Spanish Literature and Culture is disparate from its counterpart, AP Spanish Language and Culture. How so? AP Spanish Language and Culture focuses primarily on the communicative aspects of Spanish, while AP Spanish Literature and Culture is literary. Simply put, you must read Spanish academic texts when enrolling in AP Spanish Literature and Culture. Mind you; the texts will be in Spanish and not translations.
To opt for AP Spanish Literature and Culture, you must have a solid Spanish language command. That is, you must learn the Spanish Language for at least three years or more to develop such expertise to understand Spanish literature, in the Spanish language, as well as to formulate argumentative essays on it. Keep this fact in mind if you are not a native Spanish speaker. And if you are, then make sure that you know how to read and write in the Spanish language as well.
4. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 74.4% | 40.4% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
The pass rate and the percentage of students scoring the perfect grade in AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism are higher than the average AP subjects. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based course. Therefore, this subject is taken up by students who already fulfill the prerequisites. This is the primary reason the pass rate is the third highest amongst all the APs combined.
Is AP Chemistry really that hard?
Read How Hard Is AP Chemistry to find out.
5. AP Physics 2
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Physics 2 | 73.3% | 14% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
The statistics show that the pass rate of AP Physics 2 is way higher than the average AP. At the same time, it could be doing better regarding the percentage of students scoring the perfect grade.
What is the factor contributing to the low percentage of perfect scores?
Well, AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based college-level Physics course. Students opting for AP Physics 2 already possess a rudimentary knowledge of algebra. But one needs to practice the numerical and conceptualize and memorize the complicated theories to score the perfect grade.
AP Physics 2 is also notoriously known for its strenuous lab work, which constitutes 25% of the entire course work.
Check out EnthuZiastic AP Courses to learn with the best teachers.
Easiest AP Classes According To Students
Apart from the hardcore statistics, students taking Advanced Placement courses also play an essential role in determining the difficulty level of an AP.
To bring this information to you, I have interviewed several high school students who are either pursuing their Advanced Placement or have already completed it. Therefore, let me tell you exactly what your peers think.
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Computer Science Principles | 66.5% | 12.4% |
| AP Psychology | 71.3% | 22.4% |
| AP Chinese Language and Culture | 49.3% | 18% |
| AP Human Geography | 59% | 11.8% |
| AP Comparative Government and Politics | 71.8% | 16.6% |
1. AP Computer Science Principles
Advanced Placement |
Pass Rate |
Perfect Score |
AP Computer Science Principles |
66.5% |
12.4% |
Average AP |
64.2% |
16.8% |
Most high school students highly recommend this Advanced Placement subject as you don’t need any prior programming knowledge to enroll in it. Therefore, anyone is qualified to opt for AP Computer Science Principles!
Did you know that most students rated this class as enjoyable as well?
Also, students have rated AP Computer Science Principles as one of the Advanced Placement subjects that requires little time to study.
2. AP Psychology
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Psychology | 71.3% | 22.4% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
AP Psychology is one of the popular Advanced Placement classes amongst high school students.
AP Psychology covers several topics, but they are not necessarily complex. We know that psychology, as a subject, came into existence only a hundred years back. Therefore, it has a relatively narrower history to study and theories to memorize than the other Advanced Placement subjects.
Also, AP Psychology does not require in-depth analytical skills or advanced problem-solving strategies like most STEM subjects. You can rely on your power of memorization to do well in this subject.
3. AP Chinese Language and Culture
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Chinese Language and Culture | 49.3% | 18% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
Chinese is one of the most challenging subjects to master for English speakers; as a result, AP Chinese Language and Culture is taken up by students who already have some prior experience with that language.
Scoring well in AP Chinese Language and Culture will help you get free credits in the mandatory foreign language classes in college.
4. AP Human Geography
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Human Geography | 59% | 11.8% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
Most high school students have been recommended to take AP Human Geography classes during the Freshman Year. AP Human Geography deals with many subjects, including an introduction to maps, geographic data, spatial concepts, and human-environment interaction.
5. AP Comparative Government and Politics
| Advanced Placement | Pass Rate | Perfect Score |
| AP Comparative Government and Politics | 71.8% | 16.6% |
| Average AP | 64.2% | 16.8% |
AP Comparative Government and Politics is the best for those students who want a career in social science and politics. With content related to politics in nations such as China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and United Kingdom, AP Comparative Government and Politics deal with the political systems, institutions, regimes, and government.
Read more blogs on Advanced Placement
| AP Classes Freshman Year | Can You Get Into College Without AP Classes |
| Most Popular AP Classes | Honors Vs. AP Classes |
| AP Exam Cost | AP Classes Benefit |
| AP Classes Preparation | Life of an AP Student |
FAQs
Which AP science is the easiest?
AP Environmental Science is considered the easiest AP subject because it is conceptually easier to understand than the other STEM subjects.
Which AP subject has the lowest pass rate?
AP Physics 1 has the lowest pass rate, with a mere 42.1%.
Which is the least popular AP class?
Foreign Language AP courses are the least popular AP classes among students.
Which AP is the easiest to self-study?
AP Psychology is the easiest to self-study, as most high school students opt for the particular course study for this subject on their own.
What is the most liked AP class?
AP English Language and Composition is the most liked AP class, with over 450,000 students sitting for the exam each year.
What is the most useful AP class?
The most useful AP class for you will be the one you want to pursue as your career. For example, if you want a STEM career, go for AP science subjects. On the other hand, if you wish to pursue arts, humanities, or social sciences, then go for AP English Language and Literature, AP World History, and AP U.S. Government and Politics, to name a few.
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Conclusion: Easiest AP Classes To Take
Advanced Placement subjects, like anything else, will seem easier if you put work into them. Therefore, regardless of whichever topic you choose to study, keep in mind to sit with it regularly. Finish your assignments on time and practice those extra test papers.
Until then, keep learning and keep growing.