Ever wonder which subjects are the most and least popular for AP exams? Based on College Board data, here’s your answer! (Note: Because languages are so specialized and require several prerequisite courses, we did not include foreign languages on this list.)
5 Most Popular AP Exams
| Rank | Number Tests Taken | Subject | Percentage of Test-Takers Scoring 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 216,944 | U.S. Government and Politics |
25% |
| 4 | 223,444 | Calculus AB | 40.1% |
| 3 | 325,108 | English Literature and Composition |
24.2% |
| 2 | 366,641 | U.S. History | 30.8% |
| 1 | 390,754 | English Language and Composition |
28.6% |
5 Least Popular AP Exams
| Rank | Number Tests Taken | Subject | Percentage of Test-Takers Scoring 4+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 15,803 | Comparative Government and Politics |
38.3% |
| 4 | 15,649 | Music Theory | 35.3% |
| 3 | 14,045 | Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
52.9% |
| 2 | 13,098 | Studio Art: Drawing | 34.9% |
| 1 | 3,261 | Studio Art: 3-D Design | 28.2% |
