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What are some of the easier AP classes?
I'm currently a freshman in high school only taking AP World (my school only allows this or AP Human Geo for freshman), and it's not my best class but I managed to pass last semester with a B. For sophomore year, I'm on track to take APUSH which I know is one of the harder APs, and I was thinking about AP psych because I took psych this year and I find it really interesting. Are there any other AP classes that I'm able to take sophomore year that aren't as vigorous as AP World and APUSH? And is taking AP psych a bad idea for sophomore year?
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Dr’s Answer
Hey Kristin, so you’ve survived AP World—major props! That’s no small feat, especially as a freshman. APUSH is definitely one of the heavy-hitters, but it’s totally doable with good time management (and caffeine, let’s be honest). Since you’re already bracing for that rollercoaster, it makes sense to balance things out with some easier APs.
AP Psych? Absolute is a win. It’s one of the more chill AP classes because the material is super relatable—think brain functions, personality theories, why people act the way they do. If you’re already vibing with psych this year, you’re in a great spot to take it next year. Plus, it’s mostly memorization rather than intense essay-writing marathons like APUSH.
If you want other "easier" AP options, here are a few that usually have a lighter workload:
AP Environmental Science (APES) – People call this the “fun science AP.” It’s more about ecosystems, climate change, and how humans impact the environment—not as math-heavy as other science APs.
AP Art History – If you like culture and storytelling through visuals, this can be super interesting. It’s not super technical, but it does involve memorizing artworks and their backstories.
AP Computer Science Principles – Totally beginner-friendly. It’s more about how technology works (like coding basics) than hardcore programming. No need to be a tech wizard to do well.
Honestly, as long as you balance your schedule (like, maybe don’t stack APUSH and AP Chem unless you love pain), you’ll be fine. AP Psych in sophomore year would just be a Solid choice. Kristin, You already have a head start, and it’s one of those APs where you learn stuff you can randomly flex in everyday conversations.
Hope this helped you out all the best and good luck! 😉🤗
AP Psych? Absolute is a win. It’s one of the more chill AP classes because the material is super relatable—think brain functions, personality theories, why people act the way they do. If you’re already vibing with psych this year, you’re in a great spot to take it next year. Plus, it’s mostly memorization rather than intense essay-writing marathons like APUSH.
If you want other "easier" AP options, here are a few that usually have a lighter workload:
AP Environmental Science (APES) – People call this the “fun science AP.” It’s more about ecosystems, climate change, and how humans impact the environment—not as math-heavy as other science APs.
AP Art History – If you like culture and storytelling through visuals, this can be super interesting. It’s not super technical, but it does involve memorizing artworks and their backstories.
AP Computer Science Principles – Totally beginner-friendly. It’s more about how technology works (like coding basics) than hardcore programming. No need to be a tech wizard to do well.
Honestly, as long as you balance your schedule (like, maybe don’t stack APUSH and AP Chem unless you love pain), you’ll be fine. AP Psych in sophomore year would just be a Solid choice. Kristin, You already have a head start, and it’s one of those APs where you learn stuff you can randomly flex in everyday conversations.
Hope this helped you out all the best and good luck! 😉🤗
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Kristin,
Great job sticking with AP World and finishing with a B—that’s no small feat, especially as a freshman! I think it’s awesome that you’re thinking ahead about your AP classes for next year. As for “easier” AP classes, it really depends on your strengths, but generally, some AP courses are known for being more manageable. AP Psychology is actually one of them! Since you’ve already taken psych this year and enjoyed it, AP Psych could be a solid choice. It’s interesting, not as reading-heavy as APUSH, and many students find it straightforward if they stay on top of the material.
Other AP classes that are often considered less intense include AP Environmental Science (APES), a mix of science and social studies, with a lot of real-world applications that usually aren't math-heavy. AP Computer Science Principles is another option, which is a great intro to coding and computer science concepts and designed for beginners. Lastly, AP Seminar, if your school offers it, is a research-based course that helps with writing and critical thinking without being as memorization-heavy as history APs.
Since you’re already planning for APUSH (which is definitely one of the more rigorous APs), pairing it with AP Psych should be manageable if you’re interested in the subject. Just be mindful of your overall workload so you don’t get overwhelmed. If you’re looking for a balance, maybe one intense AP (like APUSH) and one lighter one (like AP Psych or APES) could be a good mix. That way, you challenge yourself without feeling overloaded.
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your AP journey! You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Great job sticking with AP World and finishing with a B—that’s no small feat, especially as a freshman! I think it’s awesome that you’re thinking ahead about your AP classes for next year. As for “easier” AP classes, it really depends on your strengths, but generally, some AP courses are known for being more manageable. AP Psychology is actually one of them! Since you’ve already taken psych this year and enjoyed it, AP Psych could be a solid choice. It’s interesting, not as reading-heavy as APUSH, and many students find it straightforward if they stay on top of the material.
Other AP classes that are often considered less intense include AP Environmental Science (APES), a mix of science and social studies, with a lot of real-world applications that usually aren't math-heavy. AP Computer Science Principles is another option, which is a great intro to coding and computer science concepts and designed for beginners. Lastly, AP Seminar, if your school offers it, is a research-based course that helps with writing and critical thinking without being as memorization-heavy as history APs.
Since you’re already planning for APUSH (which is definitely one of the more rigorous APs), pairing it with AP Psych should be manageable if you’re interested in the subject. Just be mindful of your overall workload so you don’t get overwhelmed. If you’re looking for a balance, maybe one intense AP (like APUSH) and one lighter one (like AP Psych or APES) could be a good mix. That way, you challenge yourself without feeling overloaded.
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your AP journey! You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Updated
Fred’s Answer
I don't think anyone can really answer this question. I found AP Calc easy, but would have failed AP English. My wife would probably have done the opposite. What's easy for one person can be hard for another.
If the subject matter interests you, then you are more likely to do better.
Taking more AP classes probably means you will have to sacrifice something else - an extra curricular activity, a part time job, hanging out with friends - all to varying degrees. This is really the basic idea of economics, for what it's worth. There is never enough of a resource (in this case time) to do everything you want, so choices must be made.
If the subject matter interests you, then you are more likely to do better.
Taking more AP classes probably means you will have to sacrifice something else - an extra curricular activity, a part time job, hanging out with friends - all to varying degrees. This is really the basic idea of economics, for what it's worth. There is never enough of a resource (in this case time) to do everything you want, so choices must be made.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Kristin
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Hi Kristen, as someone who also took AP courses my personal belief is that it all depends on your own aptitude for certain subjects. Also, some courses require more memorization than others- like AP History. The more difficult subjects likely challenge you more because they are not as interesting or there are aspects of the learning that simply do not capitalize on your learning style and natural skillset. My advice to students is to always follow their passion and dare to be unique in what you study in and outside of the academic environment. It is okay to take all the AP courses and okay to not take all the AP courses. This may not sound like a satisfying response, but we are talking about your time. Spend it doing what you most enjoy, if ever possible. While it may look good on a college application, universities also value the student that stands out. Decide what is most important for you and where you want to put your energy. Consider what you plan to do after high school as well; not all subjects will be applicable for all courses of study. Decide where you want to push yourself and for what reason. Asking for tutoring assistance may also be available to help you get through a tougher topic or to improve study skills. Figure out what you can handle with everything else you have going on; the ability to find balance between responsibilities, extracurricular, and rest will set you up well for the duration of your life!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Kristin
Updated
Tom’s Answer
As someone who took a couple of AP classes the best I can tell you is this...you're ahead of the game. AP courses aren't designed to be easy no matter which one you take, but I would agree with Dr. H on this, focus on user-friendly AP courses that don't demand as much and are designed to help you learn rather than demand that you jump in and learn or fail. As far as AP Psych goes, go for it. It's not the easiest class, but it will give you a solid foundation that can lead to other possibilities later on. Plenty of college students struggle with basic Psych courses, so getting a jump on this in high school, and doing well with it, paves the road in a way that a lot of people don't often think about. With AP courses it's wise to give yourself breathing room from time to time before you apply the pressure. Keep plugging away and remember to balance your workload so you don't burnout before getting to the next level.
Thank you!
Kristin