Hi,
This is my schedule for next year (junior year):
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Computer Science
AP English Language
AP Physics 1
AP US History
Can anyone who has already taken any of these classes share some advice on what to expect? Thanks!
Although the curriculum is the same nationwide, the workload, test difficulty, and other things are based on your school. Talk to others who have taken the course at your school. I’ve taken AP Chem and APUSH, but APUSH is changing again.
I know that each school has different workloads, but if anyone could at least rate the classes in difficulty level, that would also be helpful!
The difficulty of the classes really depends on the school. I’ll give you my opinion based on what these AP classes are like at my high school.
AP Calculus BC: Hard. Have you taken AP Calculus AB yet? While this class is difficult, it isn’t impossible. You have to be really great at math and knowing at least some calculus. If you get lost on something, make sure you address it. You don’t want to get too behind in the work. There were only 4 (maybe 5) people who took AP Calculus AB as juniors, and they were really smart (they were all in Academic Challenge). They didn’t find it too difficult, and all are taking AP Calculus BC as seniors. If you really like calculus, and took AP Calculus AB (and did well in it), then I say go for it.
AP Chem: Moderate/Hard. Some people love it, while other people hate it. If you love chemistry, then I don’t think you’ll have a problem at all. There were a few people who took AP Chem as a junior in my school, and they enjoyed it. There is a lot of reading and labs! It’s definitely beneficial depending on your intended major, and it will help you look competitive.
AP Computer Science: Very hard. My school started offering this AP class as an extracurricular (meaning that the class would meet after school). Not a lot of people joined. Everyone who took it complained that it was near impossible, and some even wanted to (and eventually did) quit. Two of the smartest people in my grade (in the top 10 of my class) took this, and ended up quitting. Don’t let this freak you out though, because it may be different at your school!!
AP English Language: Moderate. I took this last year (as a junior). It’s not difficult per se, but it is a lot of work. There is a lot of reading, writing, and analyzing pieces of writing. In this class, we wrote a lot of dialectical journals, essays, read a lot, had a lot of socratic seminars, and practiced MC and essay writing for the AP exam. Basically, that is what the entire class consisted of, in my experience.
AP Physics 1: Difficult. You really need to have an interest in physics in order to really enjoy and excel in this class. At my high school, juniors took Honors Physics, and those who were really interested in the subject took AP Physics. I think the level of difficulty really depends on what you think of Physics as a whole. Overall though, it isn’t the most difficult AP class. Have you taken a regular physics class at all previously? If so, that will really help, as you will sort of know what to expect.
AP US History: Moderate. I took this last year as well (as a junior). This AP class had the biggest turnout (there were like 90+ juniors who took it). It is a lot of work. Basically, the time in class would be spent writing notes. My teacher would talk about whatever we were learning about, and he’d have us copy down notes from Power Points. Because of this, all of the time outside of class would involve homework. Typically, out homework consisted of IDs (identifications), chapter readings (from the American Pageant textbook), MC questions from the textbook, and a couple of reading response packets with questions. Occasionally, we had charts to fill out as well. A lot of practice for DBQs and long essay questions. All of our homework was given in advance (it would be a lot of work at once), and we would have 1-1.5 weeks to finish all of it. We typically had 2.5-4 weeks to write DBQs and long essays. Best tip: do not procrastinate at all!! Time management is VERY important and essential for a good grade.
This is all just my opinion. However, it truly varies from school to school. I hope this helps!!! Good luck! 
APUSH and AP Chem will be hard. AP Physics won’t be hard since you’re just taking 1. AP Lang and CompSci will be moderate. BC Calc is one of the easiest AP exams, shouldn’t be a big problem unless you’re someone who really hates math.
Overall you will have a busy but definitely workable schedule, especially since it looks like you’re not taking other side classes like PE or something.
I heard AP Calculus BC is somewhat easier than AB. Maybe it’s because the students got used to calculus already in AB.
AP Calc BC: Double blocked at my school, usually period 1&2, so most people have it 6/7 days. A lot of work, but everyone who takes it has taken all honors math through high school (or at the least, Trig/Analyt Honors)
APUSH: Work galore. Projects almost every day. Some people who had it were happy to get a 65 (10 points weighted).
AP Lang: A lot of reading/writing. Mostly non fiction/articles.
AP CS: Very easy. Not a lot of work outside of school.
AP Physics 1: Don’t have that class.
AP Chem: A lot of work. You must have taken Honors or Academic Chem before taking this class.
[url=<a href=“http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/student_services/assets/academic_advising/ap_course_expectations.pdf%5D%5Bb%5DHere%5B/b%5D%5B/url”>http://www.fcps.edu/westspringfieldhs/student_services/assets/academic_advising/ap_course_expectations.pdf]Here[/url] is a chart I’ve found online of what you can expect in these classes. It’s not definite, since as stated before it varies by school, but it’s a good place to start. You can also ask older siblings, (older) friends, classmates, etc to see who has had these class(es).
Thanks for the responses! They were really helpful. I’ve already taken Honors Chem and AP Calc AB in preparation for AP Chem and AP Calc BC, but I have no prior experience with Physics whatsoever so hopefully it won’t be that hard… Also @TheSlacker16 thanks for the chart!