How Many AP Classes Should You Take?

AP courses are one of the clearest ways to show academic rigor on your transcript, but they’re also time-consuming and stressful. While some competitive applicants may graduate with 10–12 APs, others succeed with far fewer. Should you take 3, 8, or 12 classes? This guide will answer how many APs you should take in junior year and more!

How Many APs Should I Take? 3 Things To Consider

The number of AP courses you should take depends on your future college, major, schedule, and academic performance. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if you want a specific number, 5 AP courses are a good starting point, according to a 2013 study by the University of North Carolina.

That said, the answer is more complex than a sheer number. Consider these factors to make an informed decision:

Your Dream College & Major

One of the most important factors in deciding how many AP classes to take is where you hope to apply for college. Admissions officers don’t look at AP numbers in isolation. They compare your choices with your school’s offerings and the selectivity of the colleges on your list.

• Less selective colleges (regional/state schools, broad admissions): Around 1–5 APs is plenty. A handful of APs in core subjects demonstrates readiness without overwhelming your schedule.
• More selective colleges (Top 100 schools): Aim for 4–8 APs across high school. Admissions teams expect to see a solid mix of challenging courses, especially in English, math, and science.
• Highly selective colleges (Top 30–50 schools): Target about 5–8 APs, with consistent rigor by junior and senior year. It’s not just about the number, but about showing steady academic growth.
• Ivy League and top 20 universities: Competitive applicants often have 7–12 APs, with the strongest aiming for 10–14. Still, admissions officers stress quality over quantity. A transcript full of B’s in 12 APs won’t help as much as straight A’s in 8 APs.

The number of AP courses also depends on your future major. Tailor your course load to your intended field of study. For example, suppose you’re planning to pursue engineering. In that case, you should prioritize APs like Calculus AB/BC, Physics (1, C: Mechanics, or C: Electricity & Magnetism), Computer Science, and Statistics. 

These directly align with your future coursework and demonstrate readiness for a rigorous STEM curriculum. Loading up on unrelated APs like Art History or AP European History won’t carry as much weight for an engineering-focused application.

Your Academic Performance

Another key factor in deciding how many APs to take is an honest assessment of your own academic strengths. AP courses move at a fast pace and require college-level reading, writing, or problem-solving. 

If you’re already excelling in honors or advanced classes, you might be well prepared to step into multiple APs. On the other hand, if you sometimes struggle to keep up in standard classes, it’s wiser to start with just one AP in a subject you enjoy and feel confident about.

For example, imagine a student who consistently earns top grades in English and history but finds math to be a challenge. That student might start with AP English Language or AP U.S. History before attempting something like AP Calculus. 

Building from areas of strength helps ensure strong grades while gradually increasing rigor. Remember, admissions officers prefer to see you succeed in a smaller number of APs rather than stretch yourself too thin and earn mediocre grades.

Your Time & Schedule

APs also need to fit into your broader life. Beyond academics, you might be balancing sports, music lessons, debate club, volunteering, a part-time job, or even household responsibilities. 

Each AP class demands several hours a week of homework and test prep, so adding too many can leave you stressed and stretched too thin. A balanced schedule is key.

You should also think about how APs fit year by year. Gradually increase the number of APs they take as you build confidence and skills. Here is our suggestion for most students:

• Freshman year (9th): Start light, with 0–2 APs in accessible subjects like AP Human Geography or AP Environmental Science. Focus on adjusting to high school.
• Sophomore year (10th): Try 1–3 APs. Good options include AP World History, AP Psychology, or AP Seminar if offered.
• Junior year (11th): This is the prime year for rigor. Take 3–5 APs in core subjects like English, U.S. History, Biology, Chemistry, or a math course.
• Senior year (12th): Cap your transcript with 3–4 APs that highlight both your strengths and your intended college major, for instance, AP Calculus, AP Physics, or AP Literature.

More Isn’t Always Better!

It’s true that taking AP courses can give you a competitive edge in the college admissions process. But that doesn’t mean you should take every AP class available. Piling on too many APs can backfire, hurting your grades, your test scores, and even your health.

When you overload your schedule with APs, you may find yourself constantly stressed and short on time. The heavy workload can lead to late nights, burnout, and lower overall performance. 

In the worst cases, students end up earning poor grades in the classes themselves or failing the AP exams, which defeats the purpose of taking them in the first place.

Shondra Carpenter, a counselor at Cherokee Trail High School, shared with the U.S. News that college admissions officers don’t highly value a student who took an extensive array of AP classes without passing the exam (not earning a minimum 3). 

There are also important trade-offs to consider. Loading up on APs might mean you have little time for extracurricular activities, sports, or community involvement. All of them are critical for building a strong college application. Too many APs can also limit your ability to explore electives or subjects outside your intended major, leaving your high school experience unbalanced. 

And perhaps most importantly, an overloaded schedule can leave no room for rest, hobbies, or spending time with friends and family – things that keep you grounded and healthy.

The takeaway: rigor matters, but not at the cost of your well-being, GPA, or opportunities outside the classroom. 

What Are The Best AP Courses To Take?

The “best” AP courses aren’t necessarily the hardest ones or the ones everyone else is taking. For most students, the best APs fall into two categories:

Core Academic APs

These are the foundation of a strong high school transcript and are valued at every level of college admissions. Examples include:

• AP English Language and AP English Literature (critical reading and writing skills)
• AP U.S. History, World History, or Government & Politics (analytical and research skills)
• AP Calculus AB/BC or AP Statistics (quantitative reasoning)
• AP Biology, Chemistry, or Physics (lab-based scientific skills)

Major-Aligned APs
Admissions officers also like to see APs that connect to your intended field of study. For instance:

• Business/Economics track: AP Economics (Micro and Macro), AP Statistics.
• Engineering/Computer Science: AP Calculus, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science A.
• Social Sciences: AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP Comparative Government.
• Arts/Humanities: AP Art History, AP Music Theory, AP World Languages.

Remember: Colleges are most impressed by strong performance in core and relevant courses, not a scattershot of unrelated APs

Mistakes To Avoid When Enrolling In AP Courses

If your grades in non-AP classes begin to drop, or if you can no longer keep up with your usual sports, clubs, or other commitments, it’s a clear sign you may have taken on more than you can handle. Colleges are looking for balance and consistent performance across all areas, not just an overloaded schedule of APs.

Another pitfall is comparing yourself to classmates. Just because a friend is taking ten APs doesn’t mean you need to match them. 

Admissions decisions are holistic. Your GPA, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement carry just as much weight as your course list. Adding an extra AP that drags down your GPA or causes you to abandon other meaningful activities can actually weaken your application.

It’s also important not to forget about standardized testing. Strong SAT or ACT scores can play a decisive role in both admissions and scholarships, so be sure to leave time in your schedule to prepare. Overcommitting to APs can make it harder to prioritize these exams.

FAQs

How many AP classes are there in total?

The College Board currently offers 39 different AP classes, spanning subjects in Arts, English, History and Social Sciences, Math and Computer Science, Science, and World Languages and Cultures. Of course, most high schools only provide a limited selection, so you likely won’t have access to all of them. 

Should I take an AP course that I’ve never studied before?

It depends on your academic strengths and interests. If you’ve shown talent in related subjects, it can be a smart move. For example, a strong student in algebra and geometry might succeed in AP Statistics even without prior exposure. But jumping into a completely unfamiliar subject just because it “looks impressive” can backfire if you struggle and earn low grades. 

What if my school doesn’t have AP classes?

If your school offers no APs, admissions officers won’t penalize you for not taking them. Instead, you can:

• Focus on excelling in the most rigorous courses available (honors, IB, dual enrollment, etc.).
• Explore online AP courses, state programs, or community college classes if feasible.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity through independent projects, competitions, or research.