The Easiest AP Classes to Help Your GPA

AP classes are designed to challenge you with more advanced material and coursework. But if you don’t have the bandwidth to rise up to the challenge (or just don’t want to risk earning a bad grade), you’re probably looking for easy AP classes.

Such AP classes will help you earn college credit or boost your GPA without investing as much effort or time. Going the easier route is also good for building your confidence and keeping your schedule well-balanced.

Note: Even the easy AP classes are still more advanced than your regular classes. 

But what exactly makes an AP class easy? And how do you choose one? We enlisted the help of DoMyEssay experts to answer these questions.

4 Difficulty Factors to Know

There are many things that determine how difficult an AP class will be for you. While the content and academic workload may immediately spring to your mind, they’re not the only factors:

• Pass rates. A pass rate is the share of students who earn 3+ during an exam. This data is published every year by the College Board. Word of warning: high pass rates don’t mean the content and workload are guaranteed to be easy for everyone, even for those aiming for the highest possible GPA in high school.
• Exam format. Some AP classes require passing a test with multiple-choice questions (MCQs) or free-response questions (FRQs) at the end of the year. Others evaluate performance based on a project or portfolio (e.g., AP Drawing, AP Research). The latter is typically easier since you have time to prepare the project or portfolio.
• Coursework. This involves everything from writing assignments to lab experiments and required reading. What you find easy depends on your skills and experience. For example, lab work during an AP Chemistry class may be easier for you if you’re already familiar with it.
• Your strengths and interests. By the time you reach this bullet point on the list, it should be clear that your strengths and interests play a key role here. If you and math don’t get along at all, you’ll probably dread every second you have to spend on AP Pre-Calculus. But if math comes easily to you, the exact same class will be a breeze.

So, What Are the Easiest AP Classes? Our List

Let’s be clear: there’s no universally correct answer to the question “What is the easiest AP class?” Difficulty is subjective and depends on your strengths, preconceived notions about the field, and even the kind of support you can get to pull through an AP class.

10 Easiest AP Classes by Pass Rate

Pass rates (i.e., the percentage of students who earn a 3+ score) can be an obvious way to try and measure difficulty. Here are the 10 AP classes with the highest pass rates, based on 2025 scores published by the College Board:

While such a ranking can be a good place to start looking for easy AP classes to take, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to find the AP Research or AP Chinese Language and Culture easy.

Language-related AP classes are easier to pass if you’re already a native speaker, for example. Objectively difficult AP classes like Calculus BC attract students with already strong skills, which essentially creates a sample bias.

6 AP Classes with the Easiest Workload & Student Experience

Considering the limitations of using pass rates to list AP classes ranked by difficulty, we’ve decided to include another list. This one is based on the reported student experience, as well as the workload you should expect from each class:

Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Choosing an Easy AP Class

Once you take your pick, there’s no going back. So, if the AP class difficulty is a major factor in your decision-making, make sure you assess it correctly. To do so, be wary of these four common pitfalls:

• Mistaking high pass rates for low-effort content. The AP Calculus BC has one of the highest pass rates, but its syllabus tackles some of the most complex math concepts. Remember that pass rates hinge on what kind of students are more likely to take the class.
• Overlooking the teacher factor. Some teachers are more easy-going and forgiving than others, and that rings true for AP classes. Strict teachers may turn even the easiest class into a nightmare.
• Enrolling in too many APs. Just because one AP class is easier than another doesn’t mean it’s easy, period. It’ll still add hours to your workload. It’s always better to choose fewer AP classes but get higher grades in each of them.
• Ignoring your personal interests. If you choose an AP class just because it’s supposed to be easy, you risk becoming part of the student stress statistics. Picking a subject you actually want to learn more about will make the extra workload more manageable.

So, How Do I Pick the Right AP Class?

Making the right choice might seem complicated now, but it doesn’t have to be. All you have to do is:

• Consider your strengths. Which classes have you already passed with flying colors?
• Think about the tradeoff. Is it worth putting in the extra hours for more complex coursework to gain a GPA boost?
• Factor in your college plans. Does the AP class align with your selected major?
• Ask around about the teacher’s reputation. Are they strict when it comes to grading assignments?
• Review the syllabus. Do the topics spark your interest?
• Check your schedule. Will you be able to dedicate enough time to the AP class?

Here’s a checklist for your ideal AP class:

• It speaks to my strengths
• I can manage the workload
• It aligns with my college plans
• The teacher has a good reputation
• The syllabus is interesting to me
• I have the time for the extra workload

In Closing

Taking an AP class may be an intimidating prospect, but it’s worth it. It can help you improve your GPA, earn college credits, or just dive deeper into the topics that pique your interest.

That said, there’s a reason why these classes have the word “advanced” in their name. So, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before signing up. Check out the syllabus and exam format for the class you’re considering. Remember to factor in your college plans, too!

If AP classes ever become too much of a burden for you, remember that DoMyEssay is always there to lend you a hand if your workload turns insane. Whether you need a hand with a project or want to pay for college essay assistance, we have you covered.