I took 3 my junior year.
Next year I was wondering if it’s a good idea to take:
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP European History
AP Spanish
AP Lit
I’m also doubling up on science by taking Physics H.
No, it’s a terrible idea.
First, doubling up in science would require you to drop another class and be super strong in science subjects so that your plan works without impacting your GPA and your sleep. I assume you haven’t had physics so that’s a class you need to keep. Calc, Euro, and AP Span typically don’t have an honors equivalent. So, if you take both AP bio and honors physics because you’re strong at evidence, you have to switch AP lit for honors English.
Second, you’ll have a hidden writing-intensive class called 'college applications ’ that’ll require a LOT of work every day. Don’t underestimate that time commitment !
My suggestion : drop AP bio and take something lighter instead, OR drop AP lit and take honors English.
Having 4ap’s senior year will not make make a difference in the way adcoms see your app, but it’ll give you sufficient time to work on your essays.
I took 3 APs my senior year. My cut off would be 4.
Everyone has a breaking point–I had friends who took 5-7 AP classes senior year and were fine. It just depends on how dedicated you are to them. I think 5 is the max I would do, especially with honors physics. If you took AP Lang and did well on the AP exam, I would suggest dropping AP Lit, but otherwise I’m sure you’ll be fine!
Is your college list final and are your applications and essays going to be done before school starts? Do you need to schedule any more college visits? Are you participating in special senior year transitions (such as a senior recital or other graduation ceremony for your school, club, or EC)? Want to go to accepted student days this spring to finalize your decision? Need any spare time to write scholarship applications?
There is a ton of extra work associated with being a senior that may come as a surprise if you haven’t watched an older sibling go through it.
Even matriculating at your college can be work. After May 1st there was a bunch of paperwork (for housing, roommate survey, financial aid, academic advising, etc) A lot of this may be due right after your AP exams.
Keep some margin in your schedule, because you will probably need it for something.
I think it really depends on how interested you are in them. Everyone can take an amount of coursework before he or she gets too exhausted. Yet, the more interested you are to them, the more likely you’ll be more dedicated to them, your ability to sustain the coursework increases.
I agree it depends on your limits and interests. Some people can’t handle any APs and some can handle 8 in one year. Also, are you genuinely interested in any of those classes? I only took two junior year and am taking four senior year, but I’m not worried at all for senior year because I finally get to take classes that I want. I took AP Physics in junior year and while I was above average in “natural ability” for physics, I dreaded doing the work and it felt awful. Next year I have classes like Microeconomics and Calc BC which I enjoy and are more relevant to my career. Nobody can tell you what your breaking point is so I won’t say “take x number of APs” but I will say be sure to take ones you enjoy.
^ considering that even elite schools considee 8 a high total number for all of high school, I doubt taking 8 in one year is feasible without damage to oneself.
Going to school shouldn’t be about pushing to the breaking point but finding balance.
This skill will become even more essential in college.
@MYOS1634 I’m not suggesting anyone take 8, I’m just saying some people can handle more than others. I thought 3 or 4 was impressive and then I saw someone on reddit post a picture with their nine 5s just today with several more with 5-7 all with high scores so its all about perspective. Now, a few of those were probably self studied so he probably had fewer actual classes but preparing for all those exams is still tough. Maybe that guy could actually handle all of that without going crazy or maybe he did go insane keeping up but everyone has their own limits. All I’m saying is the OP will know his limits better than any of us so saying its too much or too little is impossible. My only suggestion would be not to double up on science.
^ just because somebody did something pointless and crazy, then got proud of it, doesn’t mean it’s good. 
But I get your point. Just don’t cite it as an example. It’s really not and colleges try their best to discourage such ‘AP junkies’.
Did you manage the 3 easily? Only you know what you can comfortably handle. D will be taking 9 courses senior year - 6 AP, 1 DE, 2 concurrent credit (no high school credit offered)). She did 7 AP junior year and did very well. There’s nothing wrong with taking as many AP classes as you are interested in and can handle. It’s not pointless and crazy. My kid hates being in regular level or honors classes. They just aren’t challenging enough for her.
@MYOS1634 I agree that kids should not overextend themselves with AP classes. If your AP class load keeps you from ECs or a social life or has you going without sleep, its too much (be it 2 APs or 8). But how do you know that every kid who takes 8 AP classes in a year is damaging themselves? How do you know they are all pushed to the breaking point? I know several kids who took 6-8 in a year who were totally fine. Had plenty of time for ECs, social life, etc. Well rested. I also know kids who struggled taking 2-3 in the same year. As @class0f2017 notes, it depends on the kid.