The AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam consists of two parts:
- A through-course assessment composed of the Create Performance Task that students complete in class, with 12 hours of in-class time.
- A 2-hour end-of-course paper and pencil exam with 70 multiple-choice questions that are administered in May. Check the AP Exam schedule.
Is the AP Computer Science Principles exam hard?
In 2021, the AP Computer Science Principles exam had an above-average pass rate of 66.5% and a below-average perfect score rate of 12.4%. Most students find this AP test challenging but can pass comfortably.
What do you do AP Computer Science Principles?
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.
Is AP Computer Science Principles worth it?
AP Computer Science Principles is ideal for students who are less interested in Java or who would like a big picture view of computing. It can be an excellent choice for various careers and majors, including economics, library and information science, and physics.
What percent is a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam?
11.4%The score distribution tables on this page show the percentages of 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s for each AP subject....AP Score Distributions.ExamAP Computer Science Principles511.4%421.0%331.1%219.9%4 more columns
What is the hardest AP exam?
United States History, Biology, English Literature, Calculus BC, Physics C, and Chemistry are often named as the hardest AP classes and tests.
What is the hardest AP class?
Physics 1 AP Physics 1 is considered one of the hardest AP classes, covering topics like Newtonian mechanics and electrical charge and force. Students also spend about 25% of their class time performing college-level lab experiments and writing reports.
What is the easiest AP class?
Top 10 Easiest AP Classes by Exam Pass RatePhysics C: Mechanics. 84.3% 41.6%Calculus BC. 81.6% 44.6%Spanish Literature. 75.1% 17.6%Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. 74.4% 40.4%Physics 2. 73.3% 14.0%Computer Science Principles. 71.6% 10.9%Psychology. 71.3% 22.4%Computer Science A. 70.4% 25.6%More items...•
Can I self study for AP Computer Science Principles?
You can study independently to take the AP CSP Exam, but due to the nature of the course and the exam, we recommend, if possible, that you find another high school in your area or an online program that will enroll you in its AP CSP course.
Can you take AP Computer Science Principles with no experience?
No previous experience with coding is required. While programming is taught in the course, it's only one of the many aspects of computing that you'll learn.
What AP Exam has the lowest pass rate?
Physics 1The most failed AP exams are Physics 1 (failed by 48.4% of all students), Environmental Science (failed by 46.6% of all students), and Chemistry (failed by 43.9% of all students). For a full chart of the hardest AP exams (those with the lowest passing rate), check out this site.
Do colleges care if you fail AP Exam?
Basically, nothing happens if you fail an AP exam. Whether you get a passing or failing AP exam grade, you can still go to college. Colleges do not take a look at the AP exam as the only a criterion for accepting or rejecting a student.
What is a 3 on an AP Exam equivalent to?
AP® Score of 3 The College Board designates a 3 to be “qualified”. That means that you understood and executed the material to the point that you could pass the college class. While you did not receive the highest grade in the class, you did pass. Because of this, many state colleges will accept a 3.
Do you program in AP Computer Science Principles?
Do I have to know how to code to take AP Computer Science Principles? No previous experience with coding is required. While programming is taught in the course, it's only one of the many aspects of computing that you'll learn.
Is it easy to self study AP Computer Science Principles?
Self-studying for this exam is logistically very difficult, though not entirely impossible. Due to the exam format, which relies on prolonged in-class, collaborative work to produce 40% of its score, you will need a teacher to facilitate the submission of your work.
What is the easiest AP class?
Top 10 Easiest AP Classes by Exam Pass RatePhysics C: Mechanics. 84.3% 41.6%Calculus BC. 81.6% 44.6%Spanish Literature. 75.1% 17.6%Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. 74.4% 40.4%Physics 2. 73.3% 14.0%Computer Science Principles. 71.6% 10.9%Psychology. 71.3% 22.4%Computer Science A. 70.4% 25.6%More items...•
Can you self study for AP CSP?
You can study independently to take the AP CSP Exam, but due to the nature of the course and the exam, we recommend, if possible, that you find another high school in your area or an online program that will enroll you in its AP CSP course.
What is the AP Computer Science Principles course?
The AP Computer Science Principles course complements AP Computer Science A and focuses on the broader aspects of computing. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems including the internet work, explore the potential impacts of these innovations, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
What is AP computer science?
The AP Computer Science A course and exam focus on computing skills related to programming in Java. Students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures.
What is a reference sheet for AP computer science?
Test takers are provided with an Exam Reference Sheet. Because there is no designated program language for the AP Computer Science Principles course, the Exam Reference sheet is used allow student studying various languages to have one common language to work with on test day. Check out The College Board's AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description for more information.
How many big ideas are there in the AP Computer Science Principles exam?
The topics of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam are grouped into five Big Ideas.
Can you use a calculator in AP Chem?
You are not permitted to use a calculator during this section of the exam.
How Is the AP Computer Science Principles Exam Structured?
The AP Computer Science Principles exam has two main parts: the Create performance task and a multiple-choice exam. The multiple-choice exam is taken like other AP tests, at a specific location and time, however; you'll work on the Create task throughout the course, submitting it at or before a specific deadline around the multiple-choice exam date. So it's like you have both an in-person test and a take-home test for this course.
Where Are the Best AP Computer Science Principles Practice Exams?
Now you know what to expect from the AP Computer Science Principles exam, but what else can you do to prepare? Answering practice problems is the best way to really measure and improve your skills so you're confident on test day.
Should You Take the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?
Now that you know what to expect from that AP Computer Science Principles exam, should you take it? Most students who take an AP class in high school take the corresponding AP exam in the spring as the hope is that the course has prepared you to pass the exam. In this respect, Computer Science Principles is no different. If you feel like you have at least a pretty good grasp on the course material--you don't need to be an expert on everything, but you shouldn't feel completely lost during class either--then we recommend taking the exam.
When to contact AP Services for Educators?
Planning is the key to a successful exam administration. Contact AP Services for Educators early in 2022 if you need assistance with any aspect of administering the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
When is the AP coordinator deadline?
As the AP coordinator, you have the ability to monitor the activity in the digital portfolio, and you'll need to perform a few tasks connected to the digital portfolio before the performance task submission deadline of May 20, 11:59 p.m. ET.
What to do if your school is not offering AP CSP?
If your school is not planning to offer AP CSP next year, talk to your counselors and teachers to advocate for the course.
Do I need a home computer for algebra 1?
Successful completion of Algebra I is highly recommended. A home computer is not needed, and schools are required to provide students with access to computing devices to complete the course. You do not need to have prior computer science knowledge or experience.
Do you have to submit final AP computer science principles?
You must submit your final AP Computer Science Principles Create performance task as final via the AP Digital Portfolio by this time.
What is AP Computer Science Principles?
The AP Computer Science Principles course framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills from computational thinking practices that students should practice and develop throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to think and act like computer scientists. Emphasis is placed on creativity and collaboration as pedagogical strategies to be used to develop a diverse, appealing, and inclusive classroom environment.
What is AP computer science?
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
What is CSP in college board?
New Curricula Available#N#We're excited to announce that College Board has endorsed additional AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) ready-to-use curricula that come with preapproved syllabi, lesson plans, and other instructional supports, delivered by endorsed providers. See the list of offerings.
What is AP CSP?
AP Computer Science Principles was created with significant support from the National Science Foundation and more than 50 leading high school and higher education computer science educators who piloted the program at their institutions. Over 750 colleges and universities offer credit and placement policies for AP CSP and more will be communicated over the next year. The College Board is actively working with institutions to develop and publish their credit and placement policies for AP CSP.
What is the College Board's job for AP CSP?
The College Board is actively working with institutions to develop and publish their credit and placement policies for AP CSP. Visit the AP Higher Education site for higher education support and resources, as well as information on recruitment, admissions, and credit and placement policies.
Can you watch AP videos on your own?
Teachers and students can access short, searchable AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. Videos can be assigned as homework to encourage students to watch on their own, so you can use class time to focus discussions where students need more help, whether teaching online, in person, or both.
What are the two computer science courses offered by AP?
AP offers two computer science courses—AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. Students can take the courses in any order. The AP Computer Science Principles course complements AP Computer Science A by teaching the foundational concepts of computer science as it aims to broaden participation in the study of computer science.
Is computer science for girls?
News outlets across the country report evidence that the course opens doors to computer science for girls and underrepresented students.
Is AP Computer Science Principles making headway in diversifying computer science participation since its launch?
Research shows that AP Computer Science Principles is making headway in diversifying computer science participation since its launch . See the 2020 research findings.
How do students score on the AP Computer Science Principles exam?
In 2020, only 10.9% of test-takers nailed down a “5” on the AP Computer Science Principles exam; 23.6% earned a “4,” 37.1% earned a “3,” 19.8% earned a “2,” and 8.6% scored only a “1.” The previous year, there were only 234 students worldwide who got every single question correct. Overall, students score best on questions categorized as being related to “data & information,” “internet,” and “global impact.” Students score most poorly on questions related to programming.
What material does AP Computer Science Principles cover?
Computer Science Principles is very much a “big picture” overview of the CS universe. Unlike with Comp Sci A, teachers have the freedom to choose the programming language they utilize. Ultimately, the exam covers the following:
What are the principles of computer science?
Computer Science Principles is very much a “big picture” overview of the CS universe. Unlike with Comp Sci A, teachers have the freedom to choose the programming language they utilize. Ultimately, the exam covers the following: 1 Creative development (collaboration, design, development) – 10-13% 2 Data (binary numbers, data compression/extraction) – 17-22% 3 Algorithms and Programming (variables and assignments, data abstraction, iteration, etc.)– 30-35% 4 Computer Systems and Networks (internet, fault tolerance, parallel/distributed computing) – 11-15% 5 Impact of Computing (crowdsourcing, legal/ethical concerns/bias) – 21-26%
Who should take Computer Science A?
Students should have exceled in an Algebra II course and/or have experience with coding prior to enrolling in this class. APCSA is course that anyone considering a future in the engineering, design, or software development realms should absolutely take during high school. If it is offered by your high school, colleges will expect to see this on your transcript when looking to enter a variety of tech-oriented fields of study.
