I’m planning to take AP World History and AP Chemistry. But I really doubt that I can pass these courses. Do you think this is a good idea? What should I expect in both AP classes? Thank you in advance
Have you taken honors or regular chemistry before? If not I would hold off on AP Chem.
AP World is commonly taken by sophomores. It’s a little bit of an adjustment at some schools, but it’s very normal to take it when you plan to. Wouldn’t worry there.
AP Chem will be challenging; there is no question about that. I did not take AP World History because AP European History was offered for sophomores instead but I imagine that it would be quite the same type of work. If you are good at writing and history, you’ll be fine. If you aren’t good at those things and don’t think that you can get good at them, don’t take it.
What makes you think that you cannot pass these courses? If you honestly don’t believe that you won’t be able to pass them, don’t take them. An A in a regular course is better than an F in AP courses. However, if you believe that you can pass it and are just afraid of the challenge, I’d take the course. Challenges are good for you.
AP World is fine. I agree with @bodangles. Do not take AP Chemistry unless you’ve had honors or regular chemistry. You will struggle tremendously.
AP World is super interesting. I would actually read the text-book for fun and enjoy it. However, the AP exam is pretty hard from what I remember. Typically, it has a low score distribution (like half fail and less than 10% get 5’s) but this may be because of all of the noobs taking it since it’s a popular class for Freshman and Sophomores. AP Chem is pretty hard from what I hear, but this is always highly dependent on the teacher and how tough they are.
You should be fine. I’m a sophomore too and I’m taking 5 APs this year.
Don’t take AP/advanced classes for the wrong reasons. There are two types of AP students
- Normal students who want AP classes because it will look good on their college applications
- Smart kids for whom normal classes aren't challenging enough for
The first case usually ends up flunking the class and the exam. Where as the second one usually demolishes the class effortlessly. There’s some lee-way in between those two as well.
If you yourself doubt that you can’t pass them, don’t take them both! I would just do AP World and save AP Chem until later years or until you have taken an honors chemistry or even a normal chemistry class.
Ask your current Chemistry and History teachers whether they think you can take these AP classes and get a B or higher. If they say you’re unlikely to, ask for a suggestion.
If you haven’t taken Chemistry (preferably Honors Chem), take it before AP Chem. Otherwise, it’d be like taking Algebra 2 without having taken Algebra1 - a disaster waiting to happen.
What classes are you currently taking and what’s your GPA?
What colleges would you be interested in? Remember that even the most selective colleges only want to see 4-8 APs total. They do want to see one year each of English, Math, Foreign Language, Science, and Social Science, and out of 7 periods they prefer 5 of those to be either Honors or AP. If you’re not aiming for the most selective colleges, the matter is different and definitely don’t take two APs you worry about, perhaps plan to take 2 junior year only after building a strong foundation sophomore year?