Is there an accurate way to gauge the hardest A.P. classes? You can measure the hardest A.P. classes using A.P. exam pass rates and the frequency of perfect scores. The pass rate represents the percentage of students with a passing score of 3 or higher. On the other hand, the perfect score represents the percentage of students with the highest possible score, i.e., 5.
Note that the difficulty of A.P. classes is also influenced by academic strengths and the teacher of an A.P. course.
- Physics 1
Physics 1 is one of the hardest A.P. classes because it covers complex topics, including Newtonian mechanics, electrical charge, and force. It consists of physics, scientific inquiry, and algebra, and students have to dedicate around 25% of their class time to doing college-level lab experiments and drafting reports.
A complete A.P. test for Physics 1 comprises 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and five free-response questions. Students must elaborate on physical phenomena, figure out mathematical concepts, expound conceptual models, and plan experiments.
- Environmental Science
It is a broad class since it comprises biology, geology, chemistry, and math, requiring teachers to cover many teaching materials. Besides performing lab experiments and fieldwork, students also analyze environmental problems and use quantitative methods to solve real-life problems.
An environmental science A.P. test requires students to examine research, explain data, and use mathematical equations to solve models and problems. This test, consisting of 80 MCQs and three free-response questions, also requires students to examine an environmental concern and offer a suitable solution.
- Chemistry
An A.P. Chemistry class is well-known for memorization and heavy-duty homework. Students go through complex processes and should master skills to plan experiments and evaluate theories to uphold evidence-based scientific claims. It calls for a solid foundation in chemistry and algebra.
Their exam consists of 60 MCQs and seven free-response questions that test whether students can vindicate scientific claims and understand chemical properties. It also requires students to plan experiments and solve real-life problems using mathematical relationships.
- U.S. Government and Politics
Students cover little territorial topics, for example, the U.S. political system, public policy making, civil rights, and national government institutions. Their studies involve comparing, interpreting data, and using U.S. supreme court decisions and foundational documents to formulate evidence-based arguments.
Their A.P. exam comprises 55 MCQs and four free-response questions that measure students’ ability to understand political concepts and examine political documents and court decisions.
- U.S. History
As you would expect with anything history, students cover a deal of information by studying nine historical eras from 1491 to the present. They learn how people and policies shaped America’s foundation and the related historical outcomes through events.
A U.S. History A.P. exam consists of a document-based question (DBQ), one long essay, 55 MCQs, and three short-answer questions. The DBQ is where students create an argument and uphold it based on seven related documents. Students should demonstrate the ability to explain historical narratives and historical facts.
- Human Geography
The first A.P. exam students take is A.P. Human Geography. Its class analyzes geospatial data, interprets maps, and recognizes patterns. Students explore human migration, land use, and its effects on the Earth’s landscape and resources.
An A.P. test which comprises 60 MCQs and three free-response questions, requires students to explain spatial relationships by analyzing maps, graphs, and satellite images. Students should demonstrate an understanding of migration, cultural, political, and agricultural land-use trends, and associations.
- European History
This class requires memorizing much information because students cover Europe’s History from 1550 to the present, as well as economic, political, and cultural developments. Critical thinking skills are required since students should formulate arguments based on historical patterns and evidence.
Its exam is similar to the A.P. U.S. History test regarding the type of questions and students need to understand historical facts and their relationships. Writing the DBQ in the speculated amount of time is quite challenging due to the large volume of information required.
- Statistics
A.P. Statistics involves more than just collecting data. It requires collecting, organizing, and interpreting both quantitative and qualitative data. And to do so, students should learn about statistical inference, forecasting patterns, and performing experiments.
The A.P. Statistics exam tests students’ understanding of collecting and examining data, probability and sampling, and statistical inference. It has six free-response questions and 40 MCQs.
- English Literature
This course requires students to read and interpret complex texts to enable them to develop arguments for interpretation. They also go through plays and books and understand them well enough to create a summary or essays on them without looking at the text.
The A.P. English Literature exam, which consists of 55 MCQs and three free-response questions, requires students to analyze how literary concepts add to specific writing works. It also includes an analysis of fiction and poetry.
- World History
The new A.P. World History class only covers content that begins in the 12th century, partitions world history into nine eras, and explores land-based empires and revolutions. The College Board had to cut out thousands of years of material from prehistoric times to create this new World History of the modern class.
However, the course still contains much information, even with the contraction. The A.P. World History exam presents itself as other A.P. history tests; It concentrates on expounding historical developments and relationships and studying controversies.
