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Popular AP Exams Ranked by Difficulty and how to study for them

(voted on by c. 2k AP Students)
Note: Remember to use College Board’s materials via AP Classroom, Youtube, and
Exam Descriptions for all courses
1. Physics C – Electricity & Magnetism
- Hardest concepts to understand for a high school student
- Resources: Learn AP Physics, AP Physics Lectures: Viren’s Videos
(Youtube: lasseviren1), Dan Fullerton, Thomaspalmerphysics, Michel van
Biezen
2. English Literature & Composition
- You have to (a) perform an in-depth analysis of text(s) and find an
argument, (b) see how that argument is used by the author, and (c)
what effect that argument has on the reader
- Resources: Thomas C. Foster’s HTRLLAP; Mr. Herbert’s Class Site – AP Lit
Exam Preparation
3. Physics C – Mechanics
- Extremely hard conceptually, but builds off Regular Physics or Physics I
& II
- Resources: Learn AP Physics, Barron’s Review Book, Dan Fullerton,
Michel van Biezen, Organic Chemistry Tutor Youtube, Professor Dave
Explains
4. Chemistry
- Strong math and lab skills required; difficult concepts later on in the
course
- Resources: Barron’s: AP Chemistry, ASAP Review Book, Chemmybear,
Michel van Biezen, Organic Chemistry Tutor, Professor Dave Explains
5. Physics 1 & 2
- Math-intensive course but does not require Calculus; difficult concepts
to be introduced to
- Resources: Bozeman Science, Flipping Physics, Organic Chem Tutor, The
Ultimate Student’s Guide to AP Physics 1 & 2, Texas Gateway Book, Dan
Fullerton, Professor Dave Explains
6. European History
 Contact Edullo for AP Practice Exam Materials and Cheat Sheets to help you get that 5!

- In-depth approach to history; similar to APUSH, but events won’t be as

familiar to you
- Resources: Paul Sargent’s Notes, Tom Richey, Crash Course Youtube,
ASAP Review Book
7. Biology
- Large curriculum with a broad range of terms to memorize
- Resources: Barron’s Review Book, Bozeman Science, Albert.io Study
Guide, Texas Gateway Book (https://tinyurl.com/txsbio), Professor Dave
Explains, ASAP Review Book
8. World History
- Curriculum covers time from the beginning of humanity; hard to master
the DBQ/LEQ/SAQ
- Resources: Albert.io’s 30-day Study Guide, ASAP Review Book, Heimler’s
History, AMSCO Review Book
9. U.S. History
- Curriculum covers a shorter period of time than APWH, but requires a
more in-depth analysis and synthesis of historical events in writing
- Resources: AMSCO Review Book, No Bull Review Book, Crash Course
Youtube, Adam Norris, Jocz Productions, ASAP Review Book, Heimler’s
History, You Will Love History Youtube, Social Science Simplified
Youtube
10. Calculus BC
- Large usage of advanced trigonometry and algebra, hard to understand
certain theorems or techniques.
- Resources: PatrickJMT, NancyPi (for beginners), Khan Academy, Barron’s
Review Book, APPracticeExams.com, 3Blue1Brown, blackpenredpen
Youtube
11. English Language & Composition
- You are given an argument, but must analyze (a) how this argument is
posited by the author and (b) what effect it has on the reader
- Resources: Princeton Review Book,
12. Spanish Language
- Even as a native speaker, students are often unprepared for the
intensity of reading, writing, and fluency in Spanish that is required
 Contact Edullo for AP Practice Exam Materials and Cheat Sheets to help you get that 5!

- Resources: Senor Carrigan’s AP Spanish Website, Duolingo,

Conjuguemos, Quizlet, Barron’s Review Book, WordReference, Triangulo
Aprobado Textbook, Realidades Textbook(s)
- Watch movies/podcasts/shows and read interesting books to build
fluency and have fun!
o Netflix’s Casa de Papel & NPR’s Radio Ambulante are a great start
13. Seminar
- Interdisciplinary course that demands strong abilities to analyze and
synthesize several resources, and collaborate with other researchers
- Resources: AP Seminar Resources|Bayonet, AP Seminar – Mrs. Minich’s
Blog
14. Microeconomics
- Lots of memorization of specific terms and easy applications of math
- Resources: Jacob Clifford (ACDC Econ) & The Ultimate Review, 5 Steps to
A 5, Econclassroom.com
15. Macroeconomics
- More general terms to memorize; higher level of math is not required
- Resources: Jacob Clifford & The Ultimate Review, 5 Steps to a 5,
Econclassroom.com, Barron’s AP Review Book
16. Statistics
- Easier concepts to understand, but lots of skills to memorize and apply
correctly.
- Resources: APPracticeExams.com, Khan Academy, Barron’s Review Book
17. Computer Science A
- Difficult to get accustomed to programming/ coding,
- Resources: Barron’s Review Book, freeCodeCamp.org, Codeacademy,
Java Revisited
18. U.S. Government and Politics
- Smaller curriculum than other histories; no DBQ or LEQ; still have to
synthesize information
- Resources: AMSCO Review Book, ASAP Review Book, Heimler’s History,
Jocz Productions
19. Environmental Science
- Easier than other Science APs, but still requires time for memorization
and application of several techniques.
 Contact Edullo for AP Practice Exam Materials and Cheat Sheets to help you get that 5!

- Resources: Princeton Review Book, Modern States, ASAP Review Book

20. Human Geography
- Mostly memorization of geographical terms
- Resources: ASAP Review Book, Albert.io, Princeton Review Book,
Barron’s Review Book
21. Psychology
- Memorization of a broad variety of terms, but straightforward and
simple FRQs
- Resources: 5 Steps to a 5 Review Book, AMSCO Review Book Barron’s
Review Book, Crash Course, PsychExamReview Youtube, Social Science
Simplified Youtube
22. Computer Science Principles
- Easier concepts to learn; very logically based
- Resources: 5 Steps to a 5 Review Book, Khan Academy

Which APs to take based on your interests?

• STEM: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Psychology,
Environmental Science, Human Geography, Statistics,
• Humanities: English Literature, English Language, Psychology, US
Government, US History, World History, Seminar, Spanish Language,
European History
• Business: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics
Check out the entire AP Course Index here: https://tinyurl.com/apcourseindex

What exam scores will give me college credit?

• Most colleges vary by credits given according to score. Many offer base
credit to students that score a 3 or 4 on harder exams, while giving even
more credit for a 5. More selective colleges will only accept a 4 or 5, while
some may not offer credit at all.
• Check out the websites of colleges you're interested in and search for
‘[Name of College] AP Course Credit’
 Contact Edullo for AP Practice Exam Materials and Cheat Sheets to help you get that 5!

o Also use: https://tinyurl.com/credsearch

• Here’s an example for Harvard University: https://tinyurl.com/harvardap