How many AP classes should a student take?

College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.

How many AP classes does an average student take?

If that answer isn't fully satisfying, here is a look at the average number of APs students tend to take over the course of their high school years, broken down by college selectivity: Selective schools: around 7–12 APs. Semi-selective schools: 4–8 APs. Less selective schools: 1–5 APs.

Is 4 AP classes too little?

This is when you should start taking your AP core classes. Take three to five if you are aiming for a highly selective school, and two to four if you are aiming elsewhere. Note that many students describe this year as significantly harder than past ones. And you'll also likely be taking your standardized tests.

Is 8 AP classes enough for Ivy League?

For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.

Is 4 APs too much junior year?

Take as many as you can handle without spreading yourself thin, and make sure you will have time to study for the ACT or SAT this year. An Ivy League hopeful might take 3 to 5 AP classes, while if you're aiming for less-selective schools, 2 to 4 would be enough.

How Many AP Classes Is Enough? (The Truth)

Is 7 AP classes enough for Harvard?

Going up the selectivity chain, the average at Harvard is eight AP classes. To be competitive at some of the most highly selective colleges in the country, 8-12 AP courses may be the sweet spot amount, assuming the student can handle that level of rigor.

Is 5 APs too much junior year?

College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.

Is 2 AP classes enough junior year?

The number of AP classes you take should align with your personal academic strengths and interests. Taking two AP courses in your junior year could certainly be viewed as a rigorous courseload, especially if the APs are in subjects that you are passionate about and plan to dedicate considerable effort.

Is 6 AP classes in one year too much?

Applicants aiming for highly selective colleges usually take 5-6 AP classes this year, but keep your limits and schedule in mind. At this point, adding one more AP class might not have a huge impact on your college chances, but it could reduce the time spent on applications to a great extent.

What is the hardest AP class?

What Is the Hardest AP Class? Looking at the numbers, the hardest AP test is Physics 1. In May 2022, just 43.3% of test-takers passed, and only 7.9% received a perfect score. Other hard AP exams include US History, Macroeconomics, Chemistry, and Calculus AB.

How many AP classes do most kids take?

People that go to an average University take like 2–3 AP classes. People that go to a bit selective Unuversities take like 4–7 AP classes. People that go to Top Universities like Harvard or Yale take like 8–10 AP classes.

What is the most aps ever taken?

The record for the most Advanced Placement tests ever taken is 30 — AP scholar Justin Zhu even earned the highest score possible on 26 of the 30 tests he took.

Is 3 AP classes too much sophomore year?

Instead, students typically start by taking 1-3 AP classes during their sophomore year, beginning with some of the less demanding courses. They may then pick up the pace during their junior year, enrolling in more challenging options. These courses can enhance your transcript and boost your GPA.

Which is the easiest AP class?

Should I take more AP classes junior or senior year?

Also, it is recommended to take more AP's your junior year than senior year since you can have a "last minute" gpa boost and colleges tend to look at your sophomore and junior year grades more. Senior year grades are just to see if you are still keeping up that rigor.

What percent of kids take AP classes?

Now, with AP courses in dozens of subjects, nearly 23,000 high schools offer at least one AP course, with about 35% of recent high school graduates taking at least one AP course.

How many AP classes should I take for Harvard?

Be cautious of overloading your schedule: Harvard would rather see a high GPA with 4 AP courses each year than a low GPA and a daunting 8 AP courses. Consider your AP, honors, and regular options carefully each semester based upon your own self-knowledge, schedule flexibility, and course offerings.

Is it OK to take no AP classes junior year?

AP Classes are great, but not really necessary. If you take the regular, non-remedial college prep classes you should be fine. Just taking whatever you're comfortable with is always the best option. If you feel like AP classes are a good choice for you, then take them.

What AP classes do Ivy Leagues like?

Taking AP classes just for the sake of adding another AP to your course record may be damaging to your GPA as a whole. It also won't add much to your college application. Ivy League schools want you to take the most challenging classes in math, science, social studies, English, and foreign language.

How many AP classes is too much?

Take as many AP classes as your school allows and excel or demonstrate a unique talent. Help them understand that they do not need to give up a unique talent for the sake of taking an extra AP class online because the difference between eight and nine AP classes is not great.

What AP classes are most impressive to colleges?

Is a 3.7 GPA good with AP classes?

An unweighted GPA of 3.7 is good: the national average unweighted GPA of high school students is 3.0. If you took high-level courses such as AP or IB classes, an unweighted 3.7 GPA is good and shows you performed well even when taking the most rigorous curriculum available to you.

Is 9 APs enough for Ivy League?

9 APs is generally enough to be a competitive applicant to top schools. The main concern of colleges is not about the rigor of your course load per se, but whether you took the most challenging course load possible given your circumstances.

Does Harvard accept 4 on AP?

Harvard only accepts AP® scores of 5 for course credit. If you have 4 scores of 5, you can opt to obtain Advanced Standing. You can use AP® credits to opt-out of lower-level classes. Harvard has general academic requirements that all students must take.