The Most Popular AP Exams Every High School Student Should Consider

The Most Popular AP Exams

In this article, we’ll learn about the most popular AP exams every high school student should consider. let’s first explore about AP exam.

Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are rigorous academic exams in the United States conducted by the College Board every May of the year. Students can earn college credit or advanced placement before starting college by taking AP exams. It enables them to graduate early, save tuition, pursue a double major, shift to upper-level courses earlier, complete an internship, and get time to travel abroad.

Taking AP classes and courses helps students set themselves apart in the college admission processes by demonstrating their most meticulous curriculum to admission officers. Most universities worldwide look positively at students who take AP courses and sit for AP exams. It is mainly because the performance in the Advanced Placement program shows a student’s commitment and ability to succeed at university-level studies.

Depending on AP exam scores, more than 90% of universities across the United States offer credit, advanced placement, or both. In addition, leading universities in Canada and the UK also recognize AP exams for admission, credit, or placement.

But do you ever think what subjects are most popular for AP exams? Don’t worry. We have brought you this article that will let you explore the most and least popular AP exams.

Here’s the Complete List of AP Exams:

● English Language and Composition
● English Literature and Composition
● United States History
● Calculus AB
● Calculus BC
● Government and Politics – United States
● Psychology
● World History: Modern
● Biology
● Statistics
● Chemistry
● Japanese Language and Culture
● Italian Language and Culture
● Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 2-D Design
● Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 3-D Design
● Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): Drawing
● Latin
● German Language and Culture
● Chinese Language and Culture
● Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
● French Language and Culture
● Spanish Language and Culture
● Spanish Literature and Culture
● Research
● Seminar
● Art History
● Computer Science A
● Computer Science Principles
● Environmental Science
● European History
● Government and Politics (Comparative)
● Human Geography
● Macroeconomics
● Microeconomics
● Music Theory
● Physics 1: Algebra-Based
● Physics 2: Algebra-Based
● Physics C: Mechanics

Choosing and studying these courses based on your first interest could be a rewarding experience. If you want to explore subjects not usually part of your high school curricula, AP classes are a great way to understand them. AP classes like psychology, computer science, and economics can provide you with a fascinating experience of college courses, even when you are still in high school.

To become a competitive candidate, you should always choose major subjects that showcase your strengths. It would help if you also considered you have some prior preparation before you enroll in an AP course or test. In most cases, you cannot sign up for an AP class if you do not have prior experience in that subject. So, you must choose the AP courses offered in high school because many schools don’t have each AP subject as a class.

Now, Let’s see the Most Popular AP Exams :

AP Exams	Total Number of Students Taking (2021)
English Language and Composition	476,735
United States History	399,676
English Literature and Composition	297,009
World History	264,254
Psychology	262,700
Government and Politics – United States	260,941
Calculus AB	249,762
Biology	212,198
Human Geography	193,660
Statistics	183,181
Environmental Science	149,106
Spanish Language and Culture	148,040
Physics 1	136,238
Chemistry	134,316
Calculus BC	124,335
Macroeconomics	112,644
Computer Science Principles	102,610
European History	74,202
Microeconomics	73,461
Computer Science A	63,980
Physics C: Mechanics	48,171
Seminar	46,840
Art and Design: 2-D Design	34,481
Research	24,049
Spanish Literature	21,787
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism	19,944
Art and Design: Drawing	18,907
Art History	18,552
Physics 2	18,449
French Language and Culture	18,312
Government and Politics – Comparative	17,750
Music Theory	16,169
Chinese Language and Culture	13,328
Latin	4,892
Art and Design: 3-D Design	4,568
German Language and Culture	4,275
Japanese Language and Culture	2,208
Italian Language and Culture	2,098

*Source: The College Board

How are Students Given AP Scores?

AP Exams are measured on a 1-5 scale. A team of AP teachers and college professors who are experts in specific subject areas provide scores for AP exams. The College Board recognizes a 3 to be a passing score. Most colleges grant credits at scores of 3 or higher.

AP Exams With Highest Scores – 2021

Exams	5 out of 5
Chinese Language and Culture	57%
Japanese Language and Culture	47%
Calculus BC	38%
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism	33%
Computer Science A	25%
Physics C: Mechanics	23%
Italian Language and Culture	21%
Music Theory	20%
Microeconomics	20%
Macroeconomics	18%
Calculus AB	18%
Spanish Language and Culture	17%
Government and Politics – Comparative	17%
Statistics	16%
Physics 2	15%
Psychology	15%
Human Geography	15%
Art and Design: Drawing	14%
Research	14%
European History	14%
French Language and Culture	13%
Computer Science Principles	13%
Seminar	11%
Art History	11%
Chemistry	11%
Government and Politics – United States	11%
United States History	11%
Art and Design: 2-D Design	10%
Latin	10%
World History	10%
Spanish Literature	8%
English Language and Composition	8%
Art and Design: 3-D Design	7%
Biology	7%
Physics 1	7%
Environmental Science	6%
English Literature and Composition	5%

The Wrap Up

To improve your scores in AP exams, you should take AP classes. You can take the classes depending on which classes your school offers. You can even choose as many AP courses as you want. There is no specific number that applies to students when opting for AP courses. However, one of the best ways to choose the courses and classes is to consider your goal for taking AP classes.

Let’s say, for example, you are taking AP classes for college credits. So, it is better to load up your schedule during senior year. Finally, taking AP classes in your high school can help you earn college credit with your diploma. It will also lead to savings intuition as an undergraduate.