AP Program

Typical subjects in the Advanced Placement program

Advanced Placement program (AP) is a course for high school students with good academic ability to apply to top universities, especially in the US. Each student usually chooses to study only from 2 to 5 subjects, while the number of subjects is up to 38. So what are the typical subjects of this program?

See also: AP program

1. AP Math

In the curriculum of any country, Math is always one of the most popular subjects, AP is no exception. A special feature is that Math is not just AP Math but is divided into 3 subjects: Calculus AB, Calculus BC and Statistics. In terms of difficulty, Calculus AB is the easiest, then Calculus BC and the hardest subject is Statistics.

Calculus AB content covers general knowledge but only at an intermediate level, while Calculus BC covers all Calculus AB topics and adds extensive content (integration extensions, Taylor series, balance parameters, vectors, coordinates, curves…). If Calculus AB and BC are quite similar, Statistics is more distinct. This subject deals with statistics and probability equivalent to the first year university level.

2. AP Physics

If AP Math is divided into 3 subjects, Physics even has 4 subjects:

    • Physics 1 – Includes Newtonian mechanics, rotational mechanics, an introduction to electricity (Coulomb’s law and simple DC circuits), mechanical waves and sound…
    • Physics 2 – Also has Newtonian mechanics and topics of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, modern physics…
    • Physics C: Mechanics – Newton’s laws, kinematics, energy, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular and rotational motion, oscillation and gravity…
    • Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism – Static electricity, conductors, capacitors and dielectrics, electrical circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism…

Although it is a difficult subject with many topics and technical terms, Physics is still a subject chosen by many students and required by universities.

3. AP Chemistry

Also a typical subject, Chemistry is not divided into many subjects like Math and Physics. But also because there is one subject, all topics in the high school program are included in the content of AP Chemistry.

More specifically, topics include chemical reactions, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, states of matter, ideal gases and kinetic theory, matter liquids and solids, the structure of matter, atomic theory, chemical bonds, molecular models, practical experiments… Such a huge amount of knowledge should only be for those who are passionate and determined.

See also: Chemistry exercises in English

4. AP Biology

Like Chemistry, Biology in the AP program is only one subject. In terms of difficulty, AP Biology is rated easier than AP Physics and AP Chemistry. However, that does not mean students easily get high score in this subject. Biology will frustrate you with topics like microbiology, plant, animal, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, population, ecology, physiology, biochemistry…

5. AP Economics

This is a subject that is completely absent from the Vietnamese program, but is interested by many students with economic – business orientation. While the Economics subject of other international programs such as IB or A-level is not specialized, AP is divided into Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.

    • Microeconomics will learn about the nature, mechanisms and factors of the market as well as the role of government in the market.
    • Macroeconomics will learn about the national income and prices, financial markets, economic policy, and international trade.

With a list of dozens of subjects, AP program offers many options for candidates. In which, Natural Science and Economics are popular subjects studied by many students. But regardless of the subject, you need to work hard if you want to achieve the target score.

See also: AP course

Intertu Education is currently enrolling AP program courses (AP Math, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Economics, AP English…). If you have any questions about AP exam preparation, please contact us directly, via email or hotline for free advice.