This guide provides parents and students with an overview of some of the most popular AP courses and the key factors to consider when choosing an AP course.
1. What Subject Areas Are Available in the AP Program?
The AP Program currently offers 42 courses across 8 subject areas, covering fields ranging from natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science to history, economics, world languages, the arts, and academic research.
AP Capstone
AP Capstone focuses on research, analyzing sources, developing arguments, and communicating ideas in an academic context.
The program includes:
- AP Research
- AP Seminar
Arts
- AP Art History
- AP Music Theory
- AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
- AP Studio Art: 3-D Design
- AP Studio Art: Drawing
These courses are well suited for students interested in art, design, and other creative fields.
English
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP English Literature and Composition
Both courses require students to demonstrate strong reading, analysis, and writing skills in English. AP English Language and Composition focuses more on analyzing nonfiction texts and developing evidence-based arguments, while AP English Literature and Composition places greater emphasis on reading and analyzing works of literature.
History and Social Sciences
- AP Comparative Government and Politics
- AP European History
- AP Human Geography
- AP Macroeconomics
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Psychology
- AP United States Government and Politics
- AP United States History
- AP World History
This subject area covers a wide range of disciplines and is well suited for students interested in fields such as economics, business, international relations, political science, law, psychology, and the social sciences.
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Mathematics and Computer Science
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Precalculus
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Statistics
These courses are popular choices for students interested in STEM, computer science, engineering, mathematics, data science, economics, or finance.
Science
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Environmental Science
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
These courses are often a good fit for students interested in fields such as biomedical science, life sciences, engineering, physics, and other STEM disciplines.
World Languages and Cultures
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP French Language and Culture
- AP German Language and Culture
- AP Italian Language and Culture
- AP Japanese Language and Culture
- AP Latin
- AP Spanish Language and Culture
- AP Spanish Literature and Culture
AP world language courses are well suited for students with a strong foundation in a language who want to continue developing their academic proficiency in the subject.
AP Career Kickstart
Both courses are currently being offered as pilot courses.
2. Most Popular AP Courses Among Students
The number of students taking an AP course can provide some insight into how popular and widely available the course is across high schools. According to the College Board’s 2025 AP score distribution data, the 10 AP courses with the highest number of test takers in 2025 were:
Rank | AP Course | Number of Test Takers in 2025 |
1 | AP English Language and Composition | 616.294 |
2 | AP United States History | 516.738 |
3 | AP English Literature and Composition | 416.531 |
4 | AP World History: Modern | 411.547 |
5 | AP United States Government and Politics | 387.973 |
6 | AP Psychology | 334.038 |
7 | AP Biology | 287.232 |
8 | AP Calculus AB | 285.891 |
9 | AP Human Geography | 282.781 |
10 | AP Statistics | 266.791 |
The data shows that English, history, and social science courses account for a significant share of the most widely taken AP subjects, while STEM courses such as AP Biology, AP Calculus AB, and AP Statistics also rank among the most popular choices.
3. Popular AP Courses by Grade Level
Each school may offer a different AP course sequence, and students progress academically at different rates. However, at different stages of high school, certain AP courses may be more commonly suited to students in particular grade levels.
Grades 9–10
During the early years of high school, students often begin exploring advanced coursework while building a foundation for more challenging subjects in later grades.
Popular options may include:
- AP Human Geography
- AP World History: Modern
- AP European History
- AP Seminar
- AP Computer Science Principles
- Courses in the AP World Languages and Cultures category
Grade 11
By Grade 11, students often begin taking more advanced courses and developing a clearer academic focus. Popular options may include:
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP United States History
- AP Psychology
- AP Biology or AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- AP Seminar or AP Research
- AP Computer Science Principles
- Courses in Art and Design
Grade 12
In Grade 12, students often continue refining their academic coursework and choose AP courses that align with their intended college majors or areas of interest. Popular options may include:
- AP English Literature and Composition
- AP United States Government and Politics
- AP Calculus AB (Giải tích AB) hoặc AP Statistics
- AP Psychology
- AP Research
- AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A
- Courses in Art and Design
4. Pros and Cons of Choosing a Popular AP Course
Popular AP courses can offer several advantages, but students should also consider some potential drawbacks before choosing a course simply because it is widely taken.
Advantages
- A wide range of study resources: Courses with large numbers of students often have extensive study materials available, including prep books, practice exams, instructional videos, and review resources.
- More options for academic support: Because popular AP courses are offered at many schools, students may have more options when looking for teachers, classes, or other academic support.
- A large learning community: Students can more easily find classmates and peers to study with, join study groups, and exchange resources with others taking the same course.
- A well-established preparation path: Popular AP courses typically have extensive guidance available on course content, exam structure, and effective preparation strategies.
Disadvantages
- It may not align with a student’s interests: A student may choose an AP course simply because many of their friends are taking it or because it is considered popular, only to realize later that they are not genuinely interested in the subject.
- Risk of taking on too much: Some students may try to enroll in several popular AP courses at the same time because they believe that taking more AP courses is always better. This can create significant academic pressure and affect their performance in other classes.
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5. Are Popular AP Courses the Right Choice for You?
The answer depends on each student. Before enrolling in an AP course, students should consider the following questions:
- Do I have a strong foundation in this subject?
- Am I genuinely interested in the course content?
- Does this course align with my intended area of study or academic interests?
- Do I have enough time to keep up with the workload of an AP course?
- How many other challenging courses am I taking this school year?
A course may be highly popular but still not be the right choice for every student. For example, a student who is strong in mathematics and enjoys logical thinking may be well suited to AP Calculus or AP Statistics. On the other hand, if a student is not comfortable reading and analyzing lengthy English texts, AP English courses may present a significant challenge.
6. How to Choose the Right AP Course
Choosing the right AP course can be easier when students and parents consider the following four key factors.
Consider Your Current Academic Preparation
Before enrolling in an AP course, students should assess their academic foundation and readiness.
For example:
- Students interested in AP Calculus should have a strong foundation in mathematics.
- Students interested in AP Chemistry or AP Physics should have a solid foundation in science and mathematics.
- Students taking AP English courses should have strong academic reading and writing skills in English.
Choosing a course that is beyond a student’s current level may require significant time and effort just to keep up with the coursework. In contrast, choosing a course that better matches the student’s preparation can allow them to engage more deeply with the material and perform at their best.
Consider Your Intended Area of Study
Students should think about the fields they may want to pursue in the future. Those who have not yet decided on a potential major do not need to follow a highly specialized academic path from an early stage. Instead, they can explore courses across different subject areas to discover their interests and strengths.
For students with a relatively clear academic direction, taking AP courses related to their areas of interest can help them develop greater academic depth in those fields.
Consider Your Overall Academic Plan
An AP course should not be chosen in isolation. Students should consider their entire schedule for the school year, including:
- Required courses at school
- Other advanced courses
- Extracurricular activities
- Academic competitions
- Research projects
- College application preparation
The right AP course is one that a student can pursue seriously while maintaining a healthy balance across their overall academic plan.
AP courses give high school students the opportunity to explore academically rigorous subjects in greater depth. With courses spanning a wide range of disciplines, students can build an academic path that reflects their interests, strengths, and future goals. The popularity of an AP course can provide useful insight into broader enrollment trends, but it should not be the most important factor when deciding which AP course to take or which AP exam to pursue.
Read More:
Achieve a 5 on the AP Exam with AP Readers
If you are struggling with AP exam preparation, learning from experienced AP instructors can help you prepare more effectively. At Aralia, all AP instructors are official AP Exam Readers for the College Board, with years of experience teaching and scoring AP Exams. Many also serve as Table Leaders, leading groups of AP Readers, and contribute to AP curriculum development and exam question writing.
With in-depth knowledge of AP exam structure, scoring criteria, and effective preparation strategies, Aralia’s AP instructors can help students develop a focused study plan and maximize their opportunity to earn a 5 on the AP Exam.
