If you’re planning to major in business, humanities, social sciences, or the arts, you might wonder: Is AP Environmental Science (APES) worth taking?
While APES is a science course, it’s one of the most accessible AP science options for non-STEM students—and it offers surprising benefits even if you’re not headed for a career in biology or environmental studies.
1. What Makes APES Different from Other AP Sciences?
Compared to AP Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, AP Environmental Science is:
- Interdisciplinary — blends science with policy, economics, and ethics.
- Less math-heavy — minimal equations compared to AP Physics or AP Chem.
- More applied — focuses on real-world environmental challenges.
- Case study-based — many FRQs are grounded in actual events and scenarios.
This makes APES a solid choice for students who want AP-level rigor without the intense lab work and formulas of other science APs.
2. Benefits of APES for Non-STEM Majors
College Admissions Boost
- Shows you’ve challenged yourself with an AP science.
- Demonstrates well-roundedness for majors outside STEM.
Stronger General Education Preparation
Many colleges require a lab science for gen ed. APES can fulfill this—sometimes even for non-STEM majors.
Interdisciplinary Skills
- Understanding environmental policy links to political science and international relations.
- Data analysis practice helps with economics, sociology, and business analytics.
- Case studies develop critical thinking and argumentation skills.
Real-World Awareness
Climate change, pollution, and sustainability are pressing issues—knowledge from APES helps you be an informed global citizen, no matter your career path.
3. College Credit Considerations
- Most colleges award credit for APES with a score of 4 or 5 (some accept a 3).
- Credit may apply toward general science requirements, even for business or arts majors.
- Check your target schools’ AP credit policies before committing.
4. Who Should Consider Taking APES?
APES is especially valuable if you are:
- A humanities or social science student wanting a manageable AP science.
- Interested in environmental policy, law, or sustainability.
- Planning to enter business or marketing and want sustainability literacy (a growing industry trend).
- Aiming for well-rounded AP course selection for competitive admissions.
5. Potential Challenges for Non-STEM Majors
While APES is accessible, it’s still rigorous:
- FRQs require scientific explanation skills—not just opinion.
- Data analysis and graphs can be a hurdle for those unused to quantitative work.
- Requires consistent memorization of environmental laws, cycles, and case studies.
6. APES vs Other “Accessible” AP Sciences
- AP Psychology — content-heavy but less data-driven.
- AP Human Geography — more social science than lab science.
- APES — sits between humanities and science; has some math, but mostly conceptual.
For non-STEM students who want a science AP without intense formulas, APES is often the best balance.
7. How to Excel in APES Without a STEM Background
- Focus on key processes — carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, population dynamics.
- Practice FRQs weekly to get comfortable with scientific explanations.
- Use visual study aids—flowcharts and diagrams help cement concepts.
- Watch Bozeman Science APES videos for approachable explanations.
- Use RevisionDojo’s APES FRQ Builder to train for free-response speed.
8. Career Relevance Beyond STEM
Even in non-science careers, APES knowledge can be useful:
- Business & Marketing: Sustainability initiatives are increasingly important for branding.
- Law & Policy: Environmental regulation is a growing legal field.
- Journalism & Media: Climate reporting and sustainability coverage are expanding areas.
9. Student Perspectives
- “I’m an English major now, but APES was one of my favorite high school classes—it made me a better writer when explaining data.” – Former APES Student, Score: 4
- “I took APES to meet my science requirement before college. It ended up being useful in my political science major when we discussed environmental legislation.” – Former APES Student, Score: 5
10. FAQs
Q: Is APES easy for non-STEM majors?
It’s easier than AP Chemistry or Physics, but still requires consistent effort, especially with FRQs.
Q: Can APES replace a college lab science for non-STEM majors?
Often yes, but it depends on your college—check their AP credit policy.
Q: Will APES help with pre-law or business?
Yes—environmental issues intersect with both fields, especially in corporate sustainability and environmental regulation.
Final Verdict
For non-STEM majors, AP Environmental Science is often the best AP science choice—it’s rigorous but manageable, relevant to multiple fields, and can earn college credit. If you’re looking to broaden your academic profile and gain real-world awareness, APES is a strong pick.
Want to see how APES compares to AP Biology in detail?
Check out the full RevisionDojo APES vs AP Bio Guide for side-by-side exam breakdowns, difficulty analysis, and career relevance.
