Best AP classes: Match your interests, major & high school schedule

Welcome to our 7-part series on choosing the right AP classes for your interests, schedule, and academic goals. In Part 1, we go over the basics: AP course expectations, general workload, and how to approach your school’s registration processes.

If you’re a high school student planning for college, chances are you’re considering Advanced Placement (AP) classes. In fact, about 35% of college-bound students in the U.S. take at least one AP class each year, a number that’s steadily increasing. With 40 AP courses to choose from, the challenge isn’t just taking the most difficult classes or filling your schedule; it’s about choosing AP courses that showcase your strengths, match your interests, and fit with your intended major and extracurricular commitments, all while keeping your workload manageable.

This guide is designed to help you, as a student, make informed decisions about which AP classes to take. You’ll learn how to assess your readiness for AP coursework and understand your school’s AP enrollment process. Included are tips from educators and recommendations from official sources like the College Board, offering practical tips and strategies. You’ll find guidance on how to match your AP choices to college admissions expectations and your future career plans, plus suggestions for maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. Whether you already have a major in mind or are still exploring your options, you’ll find concrete steps for building an AP schedule that supports your goals and sets you up for success.

In this series:

1. Assess AP readiness and set a strong foundation
2. Master AP class and exam registration at your school
3. Align AP choices with your interests and future goals
4. Evaluate AP difficulty and manage workload effectively
5. Build a balanced AP schedule for long-term success
6. Implement high-impact study techniques for AP excellence
7. Maximize AP impact for college admissions and credit
   
   

How to determine AP class readiness: A checklist of prerequisite skills

If you’re a high school student considering AP classes, it’s important to start with an honest evaluation of your current academic skills. AP courses move quickly, go deeper into subject matter, and require more independence than most standard classes. To thrive, you’ll need a strong foundation in prerequisite subjects: students who have this background are much more likely to score well on the final exam.

As a rule of thumb, you should be earning at least a B+ as a final grade in your prerequisite courses. For example, students who finish Precalculus with A-range grades can expect to score higher on the AP Calculus exam than those with B-range grades. Remember: AP classes are built on what you already know, so gaps in your foundation can create big challenges down the road.

Prerequisite requirements by course

• AP Calculus AB: Earn a B+ or higher in Precalculus or Calculus (AP Calculus AB prerequisites).
• AP Computer Science A: Take after AP Computer Science Principles or show solid skills in Java or Python.
• AP Biology: Recommended after earning a B+ or better in full-year Biology and Chemistry (AP Biology course pathway).

Besides your grades, ask yourself:

• How did you do on midterms and big projects? Did you fully understand the tough concepts or just get by?
• What do your teachers think? Have they encouraged you to try AP based on your work habits and analysis skills?
• What are your school’s policies? Some schools require completion of prerequisite courses to enroll in AP courses (AP course enrollment requirements).

Students who skip or rush through prerequisites often struggle with the accelerated pace of AP courses, leading to burnout or lower exam scores. Consistent excellence in foundational courses, not just passing, is the strongest predictor of AP readiness. Taking the time to honestly assess your skills now can help you avoid stress later. Think of this as a checklist to help you start your AP journey on the right foot.

Gather targeted feedback from teachers and counselors

Grades matter, but they aren’t the only factor in AP performance. As a student, you should reach out to teachers and counselors who know your learning style and can give feedback that goes beyond test scores. Their observations can help you figure out if you’re ready to take on the unique challenges of AP courses.

Why grades aren’t enough:

• Teachers see how you handle tough assignments, work with classmates, and bounce back from setbacks. These are all key to success in AP classes.
• AP courses aren’t just about memorization: they require persistence, organization, and active participation.

How to make the most of their advice:

• Ask your counselor to look over your transcript and any standardized test scores to highlight your strengths and identify areas to work on before AP.
• Discuss your extracurricular activities, study habits, and motivation for a well-rounded readiness picture.

Ask your teachers for concrete examples, such as your performance on multi-step projects or feedback on your approach to long-term assignments. This reveals specific academic strengths and highlights the skills you need to develop.

What to ask for:

• Find out how you manage difficult coursework: Are you organized and persistent? Do you demonstrate critical thinking under pressure?
• Request specific advice, like how to strengthen your writing or study habits, to guide your AP preparation.

These conversations can give you a clear action plan and boost your confidence as you get ready for AP classes.

Evaluate your AP readiness: Does your study approach match AP demands?

AP classes are more than just harder classes: they require new habits and approaches to learning. Think about whether you can manage several deadlines, tackle independent research, and dive into challenging material without constant reminders. Successful AP students often share these habits:

Organization is essential

• AP courses pile on long-term projects, lots of reading, and assignments you’ll need to track on your own. Students who stay organized and break work into smaller steps are more likely to score a 3 or higher on AP exams (AP course performance data).
• Develop effective note-taking and keep a calendar for deadlines.

AP success correlates strongly with students’ ability to create and maintain personalized organizational systems that accommodate the accelerated pace and volume of work.

Self-motivation makes a difference:

• Students who join study groups, try advanced questions, and read ahead are twice as likely to do well in AP (National Math and Science Initiative research).
• Plan for 6-10 hours of homework each week per class. Are you prepared to put in the time on your own?

Lower stress with self-honesty

• A University of Arkansas study found that students who realistically assess their readiness for independent learning report less academic stress.

Ask yourself:

• Do you finish honors-level work on time without reminders?
• Do you ask for help or find resources when you’re stuck?
• When you hit a challenge, do you push through or give up easily?

A former high school counselor says: "Students who excel in AP don’t just finish assignments, they engage deeply, make cross-topic connections, and pursue advanced problems once they’ve mastered the basics."

If you already have these habits or are committed to building them, AP classes could be a great fit for you.

Prepare for the college-level workload and independence of AP classes

Taking AP classes means taking on responsibilities similar to what you’ll face in college. The difference isn’t just that the material is harder: it’s that you’ll be managing your own learning more than ever before.

Expect heavy reading and writing. If you sign up for AP, be ready for much more reading and writing outside of class. For example, at one Louisiana high school, AP World History students reported an average of 5-6 hours of homework per week (mostly reading and writing), while standard classes involve more in-class work (Lafayette Times: AP vs Regular Classes).

In English AP classes, you might see:

• AP Literature: 20-30 pages of reading per night
• AP Language: 150-200 pages per week, plus daily writing (South County High School AP expectations)

Timed essays and analytical assessments are a normal part of the routine.

Major projects and independent study. Most AP classes include two to four big projects or tests every quarter, plus regular quizzes and assignments (MV Regional High School AP workload info). Plan on 5-8 hours of homework outside class each week (Lukeion Project AP English workload). Summer assignments are common, too.

A key difference is how much you direct your own learning. As one World History teacher puts it: "AP coursework is more student-led. Students should not sign up for AP World History if they do not plan on reading the textbook…and completing the work associated with the reading" (Lafayette Times: AP vs Regular Classes).

Fast pace and autonomy: According to Academic Approach, "AP classes come with a significantly faster pace and higher expectations," you’ll need to be an independent problem-solver and learner (Academic Approach: AP Course Load Impact). This level of self-reliance is crucial for AP and excellent preparation for college.

Before you enroll, ask yourself honestly if you’re truly ready for several hours of challenging, independent work every week. This is one of the biggest keys to AP achievement.

Preview AP syllabi and sample questions before enrolling

Don’t be caught off guard: take time to look at real AP syllabi and sample exam questions before you choose your courses. This way, you’ll know if the subject matter and workload are a good fit for your interests and strengths.

Why review sample syllabi?

• Official syllabi, like the AP English Language and Composition sample syllabus, show you how the class is organized, how grades are calculated, what assignments you’ll do, and what readings are required.
• Seeing the structure helps you understand which topics and skills are emphasized, how often you’ll be assessed, and what kind of feedback you’ll get.
• Comparing different syllabi can help you pick courses that match what you enjoy and where you excel.

Practice questions are a reality check.

• Doing official practice questions will show you the level of analysis, speed, and types of questions you’ll face on AP exams.
• Try a few sample questions to see if you find the work interesting and manageable. Advice on writing and evaluating AP questions suggests focusing on your reasoning process, not just the right answer, to see if you’re ready for AP depth.

"If a teacher taught the content their own way, students might learn the material, but they’d walk into the AP exam unprepared for how questions are asked or graded." (Why AP Courses Should Align with the AP Test)

Practical tip:

• Before you register, look at a sample syllabus and spend 10-15 minutes on AP practice questions. Ask yourself if you’re interested in the topics and comfortable with the amount of work.
• Previewing AP courses in this way increases your chances of choosing classes that play to your strengths and passions, and helps you avoid unnecessary stress.

After completing an honest self-assessment and scoping out your options, you’ll be well-positioned to begin the course selection and registration process.

Part 2, “Master AP class and exam registration at your school,” builds off of Part 1 by going into detail about how to build your AP class schedule.