Hello people, I'm trying to plan out my senior year schedule, and I'm considering taking one or more AP classes. Can someone give me an overview of all the different AP courses, their difficulty levels, and what they cover? A little overwhelmed here.
Sure, I can definitely help. It's important to remember that the difficulty of an AP course can vary greatly based on several factors including your personal aptitude for the subject as well as how the course is actually taught at your school.
In general, however, Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level curriculum taught in high school. They can help you earn college credit, stand out during the college admissions process, and learn more advanced material than what's typically taught in regular high school classes.
There are currently 38 AP courses that fall under the categories of Arts, English, History and Social Sciences, Math and Computer Science, Sciences, and World Languages and Cultures.
The Arts include AP Art History, AP Music Theory, and AP Studio Art (which has three different variations: 2D, 3D, and Drawing). In these classes, you typically explore the historical and cultural context of different works, understandings of artistic elements and principles, and/or creating your own works.
English has two classes: AP English Language and Composition and AP English Literature and Composition. These classes are respectively focused on analyzing and writing various types of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and reading and analyzing complex literary texts to write effective essays.
History and Social Sciences include courses like U.S. History, World History: Modern, European History, U.S. Government and Politics, and Psychology. These classes involve heavy reading, note-taking, and essay writing, with a big focus on interpretation and analysis of historical events and sources.
Math and Computer Science includes Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science A, and Computer Science Principles. These courses focus on advanced mathematical theories, data interpretation, algorithm development, and problem-solving.
Sciences include Biology, Environmental Science, Physics 1 and 2, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, and Chemistry. These subjects often include a lab component and require a strong foundation in the basic principles of each discipline.
Finally, World Languages and Cultures offers nine different language courses, including AP Spanish, AP French, and AP German. The focus of these classes is on advanced language proficiency and understanding of the culture of the regions where the language is spoken.
Keep in mind that not all schools offer every AP course, but your school guidance counselor should be able to provide you with a list of the courses that are available at your school. Good luck!
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