Whether you are about to begin high school or wondering what class to take in your senior year, there are many options, and it can be difficult to find the right one for you! This article focuses on the best classes for a Pre-Med track and explains the curriculum and difficulty in depth. There are on-level, honors, and AP/IB classes; this will explain which ones are necessary and the difference.

Chemistry

In a high school chemistry class, students typically learn about the fundamental principles of matter. Topics include atomic structure, chemical bonding, reactions, and the properties of elements and compounds. Concepts include stoichiometry, acids and bases, and thermodynamics. This is a lab-based class.

On Level/College Prep - Difficulty 5.2/10

This is the most basic Chemistry class a student can take in high school; it is a general overview of the Chemistry concept. Many say this class is relatively easy, but you must pay attention. This class is often taken during a student's 10th-grade year. You will learn basic concepts like atomic structure, chemical reactions, and properties of matter at a less rigorous pace compared to honors or AP courses.

Honors - Difficulty 6.8/10

Honors chemistry dives deeper into chemical concepts, covering more complex and in-depth topics. The curriculum will be similar to On-Level Chemistry; however, the workload and focus on certain topics will be increased. Many notice the difference between an On-Level Chemistry class versus an Honors class. It is recommended that this class be taken before AP Chemistry.

AP/IB - Difficulty 9.3/10

AP/IB Chemistry is an advanced placement course designed to be equivalent to a college-level class and is taught at the speed of a college-level class. This is noted to be one of the hardest advanced classes to take in high school, but it is best recommended if you want to go on a pre-medicine track. Students study a wide range of topics in greater detail, including advanced thermodynamics, kinetics, organic chemistry, and electrochemistry. Honors Chemistry should be taken before this class (if you want to do well).

Biology

In a typical high school biology class, students learn about life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution. This class is lab-based.

On Level/College Prep - Difficulty 3.7/10

This is the most basic biology class you can take during high school. On-level biology provides the foundation for understanding biological concepts. Many classes learn about cellular biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution. Concepts like cell division and genotypes are often taught. Many say this class is easy if you spend time memorizing terms.

Honors - Difficulty 4.4/10

Honors biology delves deeper into biological concepts. Its topics are more rigorously explored and have increased complexity and depth. The labs are often more complex, and you are required to memorize more terms. Many say this class is also relatively easy as long as you keep up with the coursework as assigned. This class should be taken before AP/IB Biology.

AP/IB - Difficulty 8.7/10

AP/IB Biology is an advanced course equivalent to a college-level introductory biology course. Students study an even wider range of topics in greater detail, such as cellular and molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and evolution. This course has questions that are often phrased with lab examples; they are difficult. This is another one of the hardest advanced classes. Honors biology should be taken before this class.

Psychology

This class typically covers foundational ideas and theories as it analyzes human growth and development, the various aspects of learning and intelligence, personality, and behavior. This type of curriculum is often found on College exams and is needed for the MCAT.

On Level/College Prep - Difficulty 3.5/10

This is the most basic possible psychology class. On-level psychology provides an extreme foundational understanding of basic psychological concepts and theories. Many classes learn about human development, learning, memory, motivation, personality, and social psychology. There is a strong emphasis on real-life applications and everyday experiences. This class is mainly memorizing, and many say it is easy.

Honors - Difficulty 4.5/10

Honors psychology dives slightly more deeply into psychological concepts and is more rigorous in its exploration of theories, research methods, and applications. Students may learn about abnormal psychology, neuroscience, or cultural psychology. This class also mainly involves memorization and is relatively easy.

AP/IB - Difficulty 6.6/10

AP/IB psychology is known to be relatively easy for an advanced-level class. It covers a broader range of topics compared to honors/on-level. However, it is mostly memorization. The questions are also relatively easy compared to other AP/IB questions. Students will learn the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, cognition, developmental psychology, and psychological disorders. Most students take this course without a prerequisite course and do great.

Physics

This class covers how the world works around us and explores ideas like kinematics and dynamic motion for both linear and rotational systems, concepts of energy and momentum, simple harmonic motion, wave phenomena and sound, and fluid statics and dynamics. This class is helpful for what you could find on the MCAT and in other college courses.

On Level/College Prep - Difficulty 4.5/10

On-level Physics is often required at a high school and is taken during a student's 11th-grade year. This class provides a foundational understanding of fundamental physical concepts and principles, like mechanics, waves, electricity, magnetism, and energy. There are hands-on experiments and practical applications. This is one of the more challenging on-level classes.

Honors - Difficulty 6.9/10

Honors Physics is a noticeable change from on-level. The concepts in this class are much harder and involve a more rigorous exploration of topics, with an increased difficulty in the math involved. There are theoretical discussions and many practical applications. Some classes may review quantum mechanics, relativity, or astrophysics. This SHOULD be taken before taking AP/IB Physics.

AP/IB - Difficulty 9.8/10

There are multiple types of AP Physics classes (APP 1, APP 2, APP C: Mechanics). All are extremely difficult and require lots of time to grasp the topics. You should be prepared to devote hours each day to this class. Many colleges want to see that you took some type of Physics class (preferably honors). You should take this class only if your teacher recommends it. It covers classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics. The math in this class is highly advanced.

Calculus

Although this is not an actual science course for a high schooler, the math that you learn in this class is helpful for most science classes you will take. Many colleges want to see that during your high school career, you finished through Calculus. It covers limits and derivatives of functions, definite and indefinite integrals, and simple differential equations, to name a few.

On Level/College Prep - Difficulty 5/10

This class is often optional during the senior year of high school but is highly recommended. This class will teach you the basics of limits, derivatives, and integrals. Students learn these calculus principles through practical applications and problem-solving exercises, emphasizing building mathematical skills and preparing for more advanced coursework. This class will be helpful for future calculus classes you could take in college.

Honors - Difficulty 6.7/10

Most schools do not offer an Honors Calculus class but rather jump from on-level to AP/IB. However, honors calculus dives deeper into calculus concepts, which is a more rigorous exploration of topics with increased mathematical rigor and depth. If this class is offered at your school and you do not want to take AP/IB, it is recommended that you take it, as it shows that you challenged yourself in math.

AP/IB - Difficulty 8.5/10

This advanced class is a noticeable change between on-level/honors, it teaches you the equivalent to a college-level introductory calculus course. The top 20 schools would love to see you take Calculus AB or Calculus BC. The difference between the two classes is that AB covers the first part of calculus and half of the second. At the same time, BC covers half of the second part and the entirety of the third part. BC Calculus is much more complicated than AB. In both classes, students study a wide range of topics in great detail, including differential calculus, integral calculus, applications of derivatives and integrals, and integration techniques. The course emphasizes critical thinking and is a difficult AP to take.

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