How many AP classes should I take?
6 min read ยท updated 2026-10-13
There is no magic number of AP classes. Colleges look at whether you took the most challenging courses available at your school and did well in them. More APs with weaker grades usually help less than fewer APs with strong grades.
What colleges look for
Admissions officers read your transcript in the context of your school: the courses offered and what other students take. A strong application shows a rising level of challenge in your intended area of study and good grades across the board.
A sensible load
- โ 9th grade: none or one, to settle into high school
- โ 10th grade: one or two in strong subjects
- โ 11th grade: the heaviest year, often three to five for students aiming at selective colleges
- โ 12th grade: continue the rigour, especially in your intended major
Choosing which APs
- โ Prioritise subjects linked to your intended major, such as Calculus and Physics for engineering
- โ Balance hard courses with ones you can do well in
- โ Check score results: in 2026, the share of students scoring 3 or higher ranged from 59% (Music Theory) to 90% (Research)
- โ Remember the cost: $99 per exam in the US and Canada and $129 elsewhere for 2027
FAQs
How many APs do you need for Ivy League colleges?๏ผ
There's no fixed number. Selective colleges expect the most rigorous courses your school offers, taken alongside strong grades.
Is it better to get a B in an AP or an A in a regular class?๏ผ
Colleges value rigour, but a pattern of low grades hurts. Take APs where you can do well.
How much do AP exams cost?๏ผ
$99 per exam in the US and Canada and $129 elsewhere for 2027.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
Keep reading
More on SAT, ACT & AP (USA)
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