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Free website to practice specific skills needed for the AP Exam.

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Java Review for the AP CS A Exam - AP CSA Java Review

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Ah, computer science. This subject is getting more and more popular with each passing day, and for good reason! Computer science is all about addressing real-world problems using technology, logic, math, and programming. It's been around for years, but it's becoming more important than ever in today's climate of iPhone apps, video games, websites, and software that solves just about every problem! Taking AP Computer Science in high school can give you a great start towards a career in CS, or just give you the logic and programming knowledge that can help you with any area of study or career path.

If topics like arrays, loops, algorithms, data structures, or even just the word "programming" intimidates you, you're not alone! CS can be overwhelming at first, and AP Computer Science is no exception. Even if you have programming experience or like to code for fun, you will still be challenged in AP CS. However, don't be discouraged if you know absolutely nothing about programming or computer science in general. This class and exam can still be for you!

It's important to realize that the major theme of AP Computer Science, and really CS in general, is problem solving. It's about developing solutions that can scale up from simple problems to complex problems. On the AP CS exam, you will be using the programming language Java to solve problems, design strategies, debug, and analyze potential solutions.

Let's take a look at the 2016 score distributions to help gauge the overall difficulty of the AP CS exam:

- 20.8% of test-takers earned the top score of 5

- 20.5% earned a score of 4

- 23.1% received a score of 3

As you can see, 64.4% of students passed the AP Computer Science exam with a score of 3 or higher! This means that only 35.6% of test-takers did not pass. As far as AP exams go, these are really good statistics. Hopefully you're feeling a little more reassured now. It's definitely possible to get a high score on the exam, even with no background knowledge of computer science or programming. As long as you study, practice, and engage in active learning, you're setting yourself up for success.

Now let's dive right into the ultimate list of 40 AP Computer Science tips!

1. Know the format of the exam. The AP Computer Science exam is 3 hours long and consists of two sections: multiple-choice and free-response. On the multiple-choice section, you have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 40 questions. For the free-response section, you have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 4 questions. Keep in mind that both sections are given equal weight, so they are both equally important to your overall exam score.

2. Be aware of the goals of the exam. According to the College Board's Computer Science A Course Description, the goals of the AP CS course include:

- Designing, implementing, and analyzing solutions to problems

- Using and implementing commonly used algorithms

- Using standard data structures

- Developing and selecting appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve new problems

- Writing solutions fluently in an object-oriented paradigm

- Writing, running, testing, and debugging solutions in the Java programming language

- Utilizing standard Java library classes and interfaces from the AP Java subset

- Reading and understanding programs consisting of several classes and interacting objects

- Reading and understanding a description of the design and development process leading to such a program

- Understanding the ethical and social implications of computer use

In addition to this list of goals, the College Board also offers a topic outline for the AP Computer Science course. This outline, which you should review on the website, shows you exactly what you should know for the exam. The main topics are: Object-Oriented Program Design, Program Implementation, Program Analysis, Standard Data Structures, Standard Algorithms, and Computing in Context. Read through the commentary of the topic outline to get a feel for what the course (and exam) is all about.

3. Invest in a good review book. Check out Albert.io's The Best AP Computer Science Review Books of 2016 for an in-depth look at some of the most popular and useful review books. Barron's seems to be the most widely praised AP CS book since it comes with updated practice tests and questions that are challenging, yet accessible. Another highly recommended review book, by teachers and students alike, is AP grader Maria Litvin's Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java. Many students attribute their success on the exam to reading through review books and answering the practice questions that come with them.

4. Take free online courses. edX offers a two part course called Preparing for the AP Computer Science A Exam. You can enroll for free at any time. Take advantage of this resource! In the course, you'll learn about variables, conditions, Booleans, and more, as well as have access to multiple-choice questions, "mixed-up code that the user drags into the correct order," and the ability to solve real-world problems. There are also several other free courses that may peak your interest, including Introduction to Programming with Java Part 1: Starting to Code with Java. All of these courses are self-paced which means you can complete them whenever you have extra study time.

5. Watch AP Computer Science videos. If you have a hard time staying focused when reading textbooks and review books, give videos a try. They can help break up the monotony of sitting down and reading page after page, and can also help explain things in different ways. com has a series of AP Computer Science videos, covering everything from conditional statements to arrays, and from classes & objects to algorithms. Additionally, if you're having a hard time understanding a specific concept you read about in your book, take to YouTube and look for a video that explains things in a way you understand. Computer science can often feel very abstract, so it's helpful to see audiovisual explanations.

6. Follow social media accounts. You can find a huge variety of computer science related social media accounts to follow. The accounts that will be helpful to you depend on your level of knowledge and what you want to know more about. You can follow Java programming Twitter accounts, "like" org on Facebook, and follow AP Computer Science boards on Pinterest. You want to make sure you're incorporating computer science into your everyday life, which is why using social media to supplement your studies is important.

7. Know the lingo. If you don't know what the question's asking, how can you answer it? There's quite a bit of vocabulary and bits of code you need to know for the AP CS exam. The best way to learn vocabulary is by using flashcards. These AP Computer Science flashcards are a great way to get started. Either print them off or save them to your computer for easy access. It's also important that you create your own flashcards for terms you come across in class or in your textbook. Keep your flashcards with you at all times so you can go through them whenever you have extra time. Try to spend at least 10 minutes everyday studying your flashcards. Before you know it, the once complicated terms and ideas will become second nature to you.

8. Form a study group. Odds are you'll have to code some small programs as part of your AP class. When you're just starting out with programming, it can sometimes be overwhelming and feel like it's too difficult. Bouncing ideas off of your classmates could help. Try forming a small study group that meets every week or every other week. Discussing programs with your classmates can often show you different ways to solve problems that you didn't think of before and can open up your mind to new ways of looking at things.

9. Understand how much Java you need to know. A common question many AP CS students have is "exactly how much Java do I need to know for the exam?" On the exam, you will be using Java, but more specifically the Java subset as laid out by the College Board. This subset lists all of the language features that you're expected to understand and use on the exam. Makes sure you review College Board's AP Computer Science Java Subset. You don't really want to use anything outside of this subset on the exam, although you won't be docked if you do.

10. Practice! The only way you can really be prepared for the AP Computer Science exam is through practice, practice, practice. You can find dozens of sample multiple-choice questions in the AP Computer Science A Course Description. Be sure to check out Albert.io, which has hundreds of practice questions organized by topic. It's also essential that you practice answering free-response questions. The College Board website has released past AP CS exams since 2003, complete with real-life student responses, scoring guidelines and commentary, and score distributions. Make sure you become very comfortable with the types of questions that are asked on the released exams. Try answering a few before looking at the sample responses and see how your answers match up. What score would you give yourself? What do you need to focus on to get a better score?

11. Know what materials are given to you on the exam. For both the multiple-choice and free-response sections, you will be given a Java Quick Reference, which outlines the classes and interfaces in the AP Java subset that you may be tested on. You can use this reference at any time during the exam. Remember that this reference is not a substitute for actually knowing and understanding how to implement the classes and interfaces.

AP Computer Science Multiple-Choice Review Tips

1. Be familiar with the format of the AP CS multiple-choice section. You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions. Keep in mind that this sections counts for half of your overall exam score. You will be tested on your ability to predict how code segments will work, analyze object-oriented program designs, modify and correct segments of code, and more.

2. Know the concepts covered on the exam. According to the College Board, multiple-choice exam questions can be classified according to certain categories. It's important that you look over this table to see which questions are tested the most. For example, you should spend more time studying programming fundamentals and less time studying software engineering.
Note: Total percentage is greater than 100% because some questions can be classified in more than one category.
3. Employ standard multiple-choice test-taking strategies. The multiple-choice section of the AP Computer Science exam can be overwhelming. You have limited time and 40 complex questions to analyze and answer. Sometimes, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and remember some of the essential multiple-choice test taking strategies. You're probably aware of some of these, but it's still worth reminding you.

- Answer EVERY question, even if it's just a complete guess. You will not be docked for providing a wrong answer. If you had the time to read the question, you have time to make an educated guess.

- Read all of the answer choices before making your final decision.

- Use the process of elimination to narrow down your choices. If you can narrow it down to two choices, you have a 50% chance of choosing the right answer, as opposed to a 25% chance.

- Keep track of the time. Make sure you glance at your watch every so often to make sure you're not running out of time.

- Remember that a machine scores this section of the exam, so make sure you're filling in the answer choices fully and darkly.

- Use the available space for any necessary scratch work. Keep in mind, however, that no credit will given for anything written in the exam booklet.

- Feel free to mark up the question. Circle or underline if it helps.

- Depending on your test-taking style, reading the question before even looking at the possible answer choices may work best for you. Conversely, looking at the answer choices and then reading the question may work best. Find a style that works for you.

4. Know what a typical multiple-choice question looks like. Practicing by taking multiple practice exams over the course of the year is the best way to become comfortable and confident with this section of the exam. The majority of questions will include a snippet of code, which you will have to analyze in one way or another. Sometimes you will given an output and have to choose the code segment that produces that output. Other times, you may be asked to predict what a particular code segment will print out. More complex questions might ask you to change segments of code to perform a specific task, evaluate recursion methods, describe what will happen when a code segment is executed, and analyze code that may have many correct answers. Take a look at the sample multiple-choice questions offered by the College Board in its AP Computer Science A Course Description to get a feel for the complexity of the questions you might encounter on the exam.

AP Computer Science Free-Response Tips

1. Avoid the most common errors. In CS, you will make mistakes. It comes with the territory. However, as long as you are aware of the most common mistakes and errors, you can hopefully avoid them on the free-response section of the exam. The most common errors include:

- Being off by one in loops

- Not initializing a variable

- Dangling else

- Failure to return a required value

- Using the wrong identifier

- Not returning a statement in a non-void method

- Not satisfying the required post-conditions

- Not including the word public or private when required

- Modifying a constant

- Using == when comparing two objects

- Putting double quotes around "null" instead of just null

- Using local variables but not declaring them

- Missing { }, (), or semicolons

- Double quoting "true" and "false" when using them as Boolean values

- Including extraneous code that causes side effects

- Not checking for boundary cases

- Forgetting the word new in a constructor call statement

- Confusing = with ==

- Confusing [] with ()

- Assigning values incorrectly (putting x + 2 = y, instead of y = x + 2)

- Using a class name instead of a variable name

2. Write legibly, clearly, and with good programming style. It's always important to remember that humans will be grading the free-response section of the exam. This means you should aim for clarity in your programming responses. You want your responses to be as easy to grade as possible. Keep in mind the following when writing your programming responses:

- Assign meaningful variable names

- Write neatly and legibly

- Always indent properly (this is a big one because if you accidentally miss a curly brace or semicolon, proper indentation will save you)

- Position curly braces clearly

- Keep it organized

- Use white space liberally

- Do not write too small or too large

- Put each statement on a separate line

This 2014 response from a real AP Computer Science test-taker shows what a neat, legible response with good programming style looks like. This response actually earned a score of 9!

3. Do not use specific numbers, strings, or dimensions of arrays in your code. You want to make your program work with any potential number, string, or dimension, not just the one given to you as an example in the question. This is a common mistake that many AP CS students make. For example, if a question is about a two-dimensional array and it shows you an image of a 3 by 4 array, do not use the numbers 3 and 4 in your code. Instead, depending on what the question is asking, you'd want to make your code work with an array of any size. Remember, do not use specific numbers!

4. Attempt every part of the question. Most AP Computer Science free-response questions will include multiple parts (part a, part b, part c, etc.). It may surprise you that part (a) is usually harder than parts (b) and (c). The problem with this is that many test-takers get discouraged when they don't know how to answer part (a), so they don't even attempt the other parts. Don't do this! Each part is graded independently from the previous parts. This means that if you leave part (a) blank or provide an incorrect answer, you could still get full or partial credit for the other parts! However, do not re-implement code from earlier parts in later parts, even if that particular code is 100% correct. This is a waste of time and you could potentially lose points.

5. Make sure you've actually answered the question. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Not so much. Some students get so caught up in their answer that they forget to make sure they're actually addressing the problem or answering the question. To avoid this, underline, circle, or star important details when you first read the problem. Reread the question. Look for phrases like "You will receive no credit if...". When you've finished writing your code, look at the problem again. Look at the information you underlined or circled. Did you actually answer the question?

6. Always write down some code in your answer. You will be given no credit for simply describing what you would do if you had the time to write out the code (this is not an English exam). You could receive some credit, however, for attempting some aspect of the code. You may not know how to write the full code to address the problem, but always write at least some code for the parts you do Partial credit may be given for having the correct loop bounds, attempting to sum values in an array, etc.

7. Remember that elegance of code does not matter. For you advanced programmers out there, elegant coding does not count on the AP CS exam. Don't try and show off, no matter how much you want to. Stick to what you know. You could potentially waste time trying to write really simple, efficient code, or even trick yourself in the process. A brute-force approach is best on the exam.

8. Stay within the AP Java subset. The subset if given to you for a reason. Even if you went outside the subset in your AP CS class or if you're a Java pro, don't get fancy on the exam. Keep it simple and use the AP Java subset.

9. Follow Java naming conventions. A simple tip, but make sure you're naming your methods, variables, and parameters correctly. Start names with a lowercase letter and keep names meaningful but not too verbose. Use your best judgment. For example, "count" would be better than "a," but " k" would be better than "loopControlVariable." Also, make sure you look at the question carefully before naming things in your code. Sometimes the question will contain names that you should use in your code.

10. Don't waste time including comments. Comments are completely disregarded by AP readers. You will therefore receive no credit for them. Your code should never be so confusing that you have to include comments to show the AP reader what you're doing. The only time you should include comments is if it helps you organize your thoughts and stay on track. Since you'll be under a time crunch on the AP Computer Science FRQ, don't waste your valuable time on comments.

11. Look out for hints in the question. Sometimes an FRQ will suggest that you use a particular algorithm (it might say something like "you may use the following algorithm"). They're not just throwing that information out there for no reason!

12. Code according to the specifications and preconditions and postconditions. Don't code anything outside of the specifications! You don't want to include any "bells and whistles," since you are likely to lose points if you do. It's important to note that you should never add System.out.print unless you are asked to. Additionally, don't include any unnecessary checks to your code. For a question you might see on your exam, take a look at this question taken from the 2015 AP Computer Science Exam. It outlines the specifications, preconditions, and postconditions of a particular problem:

Tips by AP Computer Science Teachers

1. Be aware of the three types of errors. There are three types of errors in student responses: no-deduction errors, ½-point deduction errors, and 1-point deduction errors. Thanks to Mr. H. at Granger High School for the tip!

- No-deduction errors are the honest slips of the mind that usually happen as a result of the stresses of the time crunch. Errors like missing parentheses, using = instead of ==, etc. will usually lead to no point deductions. Still, it's best to avoid these types of mistakes to make it easier on the AP reader.

- ½-point deductions are for minor errors. If you misspell identifiers, confuse brackets with parentheses, or forget to declare local variables, etc., you could lose a ½ point. To avoid these types of mistakes, practice writing code by hand regularly.

- 1-point deductions are for major errors. These deductions are often as a result of not understanding the object-oriented paradigm or not understanding the question (extraneous code, misuse of private data, destruction of data structures, etc.)

2. Avoid the temptation to show off. For example, don't use recursion to do something that can easily be done iteratively. The AP readers aren't looking for fanciness. In fact, if you do something offbeat or obscure, the AP readers can actually misinterpret your answer, leading to lost points. Trying to be clever can also lead to errors and confusion. For these reasons, keep your code straightforward and conventional. Thanks to Mr. D. at Allegheny College for the tip!

3. Follow proper naming conventions. Do not use single-letter variable names except for looping variables. Choose variable names that reflect the variable's purpose or scope of use. Remember that you're handwriting the code, so avoid using certain letters and numbers that can get confused (for example, o and 0). Thanks to Mr. H. at Granger High School for the tip!

4. Know the types of questions you can expect to see. About 30 of the 40 multiple-choice questions will most likely involve tracing code. This can be time-consuming so make sure you're allowing yourself enough time to get to every question. The other multiple-choice questions might involve Boolean algebra (De Morgan's Law, true/false logic), conversion of binary, octal, or hexadecimal to a decimal number, and double-nested loop analysis. Make sure that you also know how to work with Integer and Double Thanks to Mr. M. from Wyomissing Area High School for the tip!

5. Don't spend time memorizing specific code. No questions on the AP CS exam will ask you to regurgitate specific code (for example, searches and sorts). It's useful to be able to recognize binary searches, for example, but don't spend time memorizing code. Thanks to Ms. C. from Lancaster Country Day School for the tip!

6. Use CodingBat for programming practice. This website created by a Stanford Computer Science lecturer offers live coding problems to build skills in Java. You can get immediate feedback on a huge variety of coding problems, as well as see solutions and watch videos explaining those solutions. CodingBat is really fun, too, which makes it a useful study tool. Thanks to Mr. M. at Pacific Collegiate School for the tip!
Are you a teacher? Do you have an awesome tip? Let us know!
Tips From Past AP Computer Science Students

1. The only way to get good at writing Java is to practice writing Java. I had no programming experience when I started AP CS, and now I've fallen in love with coding. That being said, you need to practice! Set projects for yourself. Intentionally write errors into your program to see how the compiler responds. Expand programming assignments to see what you can accomplish.

2. Don't just read the textbook. The exam won't have questions based on vocabulary gleaned from a textbook (like "Polymorphism is..."). Instead there will be questions like ""According to the code above, if the value of x is 3, then what value is returned?" You can't just learn this from reading a textbook. It's crucial that you do programming exercises and learn to trace code by actually learning to code!

3. Use Barron's to prepare for the exam. I believe that this is the best prep book for the AP Computer Science exam. The practice questions are harder than the actual exam, but there isn't too much excess material. You don't have to necessarily read the book from cover to cover, but definitely do as many practice questions as you can.

4. Read other people's code. Looking at other people's code gives you an insight into someone else's train of thought. It can help open your mind to other possible solutions to a problem and other methods and conventions that you may not have thought about before.

5. Review basic searches and sorts. You should be able to identify linear and binary searches, as well as bubble, insertion, selection, quick, and merge sorts. You don't have to know how to program them, but you should know their basic characteristics.

6. Be patient with yourself! Learning to code can be hard and frustrating. Don't expect to understand everything when you first see it. Try not to get angry or disheartened when you don't understand something. Be patient, calm, and draw things out on paper to visually see potential ways to solve a problem. The end results will be exhilarating!

7. Remember these quick tips:

- Integer division truncates (5 / 4 = 1 while 5.0 / 4 = 1.25)

- Strings use .length() for length

- ArrayLists use .size() for length

- Arrays use .length for length

- Always check to make sure loops don't go out of bounds

- substring(x, y) returns the string from x up to (not including) y

- .charAt(x) returns the char at index x

- When simplifying Boolean expressions, the idea of distributing a ! can help: !(a && b) is the same as !a || !b (note that &&'s and ||'s switch)

- Easy way to find what recursive methods return:

public int recur(int n) {

if(n < 2) return 3;

return recur(n - 1) + 2 * n;

}

What does recur (4) return? Think mathematically and recur as a function:

r(4) = r(3) + 8

Find r(3) = r(2) + 6

find r(2) = r(1) + 4;

find r(1) = 3

Now you can plug things back in and solve:

r(2) = 7

r(3) = 13

r(4) = 21
Are you a student? Do you have an awesome tip? Let us know!
AP Computer Science may seem impossible at first. There are times when you might just want to give up completely. But don't get too overwhelmed! Computer science is a subject that takes time and practice. If you've been programming since you were in elementary school, or if you've never even seen a piece of code in your entire life, it's possible to get a great score on the AP Computer Science exam. Having a study plan, knowing what to expect on the exam, and practice, practice, practice will give you the best chance at getting a 4 or 5. Good luck and happy studying!

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The Ultimate List of AP Computer Science Tips | Albert.io

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Ah, computer science. This subject is getting more and more popular with each passing day, and for good reason! Computer science is all about addressing real-world problems using technology, logic, math, and programming. It's been around for years, but it's becoming more important than ever in today's climate of iPhone apps, video games, websites, and software that solves just about every problem!

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If you're planning your senior year, you're probably wondering which AP courses to take with your college choices in mind. You may want to boost your GPA or take practical classes for your intended major. Perhaps you need a five on the AP exam, so you want to know which is easiest. Is AP Computer Science valuable to non-Computer Science majors or those without higher level math classes? What's the average AP Computer Science exam score?

Whether you're a junior or senior (or even younger) considering AP Computer Science for your schedule, or you've already finished the course and are preparing for the exam, understanding the average AP Computer Science score will help you evaluate your options.

Average AP Computer Science Score

If you look at how prior test takers performed on the exam, you might have a better idea of the challenges ahead. In the historical data, you'll get an idea of past exams scores, how many achieved threes or better, and your odds of getting those fours and fives.

The chart below contains the CollegeBoard's 2010 to 2016 exam results data and score trends on the AP Computer Science exam.

CollegeBoard National Grade Distribution

Trends

From 2010 to 2016, the chart shows that approximately 24% of the total test takers earned five scores, though that number decreases over the seven-year period. 2016 marked the lowest number of five scores, with only 20.8%. On the other hand, 2016 also marked the highest number of three scorers; 23.1% earned threes, up from 13.9%. The greatest number of test takers scored one and the fewest scored two during those seven years, but even the number of those who scored two rose significantly from 7.9% in 2010 to 12.5% in 2016. Those who scored a three grew significantly, from 13.9% to 23.1%. Over 75% of the test takers scored five, four or one. Only about one-fourth scored two and three. Though the mean score held relatively stable in seven years, the numbers of test takers steadily rose from 20,120 in 2010 to 37,341 in 2016.

The average AP Computer Science exam score hovered around 3.1, which might signal an easy test. However, don't forget that mostly juniors and seniors take Computer Science, many of whom already have computer courses under their belt. Upperclassmen probably have taken more AP classes than freshmen or sophomores, so they commonly do better.

No scheduled changes in the exam appear on the horizon, so the scoring trends promise some stability and forecasting.

Odd Trends

While the mean percentage of all test takers remained consistent, the fluctuating scores began in 2013, with a small spike in four and five scorers, and a proportionally larger dip in one and three scorers. 2014, on the other hand, saw far fewer four and five scores, but far more three and one scores. However, the biggest changes occurred in 2016, with scores of one, four and five declining by about four percentage points, while three and two scores jumped significantly by eight and five percentage points respectively.

Although the peak of passing or near-passing test takers occurred in 2016, the trend shows that most score four, five, and one. This trend might suggest more about the test takers than the difficulty of the test. Juniors and seniors usually have more AP classes and greater focus on their interests and intended college major, so they may prepare well for the exam or focus more on other AP exam scores. Recall, too, that the number of test takers also has grown significantly, by over 17,000 test takers. More test takers may suggest more unprepared test-takers.

However, reading historical statistics alone does not give the complete picture of the course or the exam difficulty. The aberrant scores in some years are just as likely due to the difficulty of the exam as the number of under prepared students. No consistent pattern tells the story of this exam, except that, on average, the aggregate passing scores outpace non-passing.

What's a Good Score on the AP Computer Science Exam?

Several factors define a "good score". Good scores and good-enough scores depend on your plans. To help you evaluate your needs and standing, understand AP test scores through four criteria:

1. The CollegeBoard's Definitions:

The CollegeBoard explains the AP scores of 1 through 5 through the lens of preparation, understanding, performance and college credits.

One - the lowest score on the AP exam, this score reflects little knowledge of the material, little to no preparation, or possibly complications arising during the exam; therefore, the Board offers "no recommendation" on this score. No colleges in the US or abroad accept an AP score of 1.

Two - one below passing, this score shows potential to pass a similar college Computer Science class but doesn't get you college credit. Again, a possible bad test day explains this score for some. The Board assesses this score as "possibly qualified" to pass a college course of the same level.

Three - the most common score, this average score moves the bar to "qualified," which refers both to your sufficient understanding of the course materials and your average chances for passing a similar college course and getting credits accepted at state colleges.

Four - a good score that reflects hard study, good comprehension of the course, and high performance on the exam, perhaps showing strong essay writing and adept multiple choice answering. The CollegeBoard deems you "well qualified," translating to a B grade.

Five - the highest score, this score means you're "extremely qualified," and all colleges will give you credit for your course.

To gain perspective, compare your score to other test takers' scores in a particular year to see how you stand. For example, if you were among the 23.1% of 37,341 test takers receiving a three on the 2016 exam, you would have been among the largest group of all test takers (only equal to those scoring one), higher than those scoring four and five. However, in 2015, you would have been among the smallest group of all passers, far below those scoring fours and fives.

That might give you some perspective that a passing score on the test arises more from individual effort and time than to the ease or difficulty of the exam. From year to year, the test may not be as hard or easy as the numbers indicate, and your score may not reflect your actual ability to take the course in college successfully. Your real chances of passing a college course similar to or related to Computer Science is probably higher since you took a rigorous AP course and probably have basic course knowledge and background for many other computer science classes.

3. Based on College Credit Acceptance

Your score as a gateway to college credits depends on the college and your major. Some colleges accept only AP scores of fours and fives; others take threes and higher. Each school, and sometimes each department of a school, handles AP scores differently. In other words, an AP score of 4 may be sufficient in the biology department for credit but not so in the psychology department.

So, for example, California State University at Long Beach accepts a Computer Science AP minimum score of three for three college credits applied to earning your degree and offers an equivalent Computer Science course, which may be great for satisfying general education breadth requirements as well as making headway toward your Computer Science degree. But if you're planning to enroll in a Cal State as a Computer Science major or related science major, you probably want to score higher than three on the exam to compete well for your admissions acceptance and to provide a solid foundation for future coursework. Many schools offer Computer Science, but you need to know the AP credit and major requirements beforehand.

4. Based on Helpfulness in College Applications

Of course, fours and fives look great on your college application and will attract more attention to college admissions officers. Keep in mind, though, that passing AP courses looks good on high school transcripts regardless of the score. These courses show a capability to tackle rigorous coursework, which the applicant learned well enough to pass the class.

Don't forget the AP Scholar award that goes to high scorers on multiple AP exams-a definite stand-out on your college application.

How is the AP Computer Science Exam Graded?

The AP Computer Science exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions covering designing and implementing computer programs applicable to solving problems related to society, art, media, and engineering. The multiple choice section constitutes 50% of the exam. The other 50% of the exam consists of four free response short-answer questions, answerable in Java programming language.

The average score for the computer-graded multiple choice answers consists of the total correct answers out of 40, which is the raw score. AP readers manually grade the free response answers against a rubric; the result is a total possible score of nine points per question (2016 exam). The grading rubric gives acceptable answers for each component of each question.

What's the Best Way to Prepare for the AP Computer Science Exam?

Knowing the average AP Computer Science score, what's on the test, how it's scored, and how past students performed on the exam, you can clarify for yourself what you need to target. You know your strengths and weaknesses after taking the course. Some students have had previous computer courses before AP Computer Science, so they may not have as much difficulty recalling and figuring out the codes, programs, and calculations required for the exam. Some are better at math and answering multiple-choice questions, while others write java programming language well from longer experience. Know yourself, what you'll need to practice more, and apportion your study/practice time accordingly.

As to general tips, the exam requires you to know Java and apply it to solve the specific application. Study GridWorld extra hard, as many students have commented that this part of the course and exam is most challenging. Know the course concepts, because the exam tests applications and solutions, not memorized facts or data. Spend lots of time taking prior exams and reading about concepts you're unclear on to ensure maximum preparation.

You'll need strong logic and math skills to solve many of the free response questions with subparts, so be sure you're secure in your math skills, especially algebra. And of course, be fluent in Java. Be sure to show all work, all the steps taken to arrive at your calculations and solutions.

Keep track of your time. Additionally, don't skip questions altogether without trying to answer what you can, as you can earn some points even for incomplete answers. You can't get any points if you leave questions blank.

Take plenty of practice exams in class or from outside sources. You can review previous tests on the CollegeBoard website to get an idea of past questions and the scoring rubrics that go with the exams. Get supplemental practice tips, materials, and exams from a review book sold in bookstores or from a reliable tutoring or AP prep service.

Be sure you carefully read the practice questions, so you know what you're called upon to answer and how you need to respond during the exam. You get fewer points for responding with too much extraneous information.

You have a packed three-hour exam, so you want to be efficient, precise, and thorough, especially for a five. A good night's rest the night before also increases the odds of achieving the coveted five.

How to Approach AP Computer Science Multiple-Choice Questions

How to Approach AP Computer Science Free-Response Questions

The Best AP Computer Science Review Books of 2017

Albert.io question page

Averaging the mean of all scores in the past seven exams, you get an average AP Computer Science score of 3.1, which means the exam, though challenging, offers the substantial potential to pass those who put in the time and effort. Don't forget that your school's passing rate or average AP Computer Science exam score may be higher than the national averages, so check with your guidance counselor for your school stats.

Looking for AP Computer Science A practice?

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What's the Average Score on the AP Computer Science Exam? | Albert.io

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If you're planning your senior year, you're probably wondering which AP courses to take with your college choices in mind. You may want to boost your GPA or take practical classes for your intended major. Perhaps you need a five on the AP exam, so you want to know which is easiest.

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Need an AP Computer Science A score calculator? Albert has you covered. Simulate how you would do on AP Computer Science A exam by using the interactive score calculator below.

Need extra help studying for AP Computer Science A? Check out our AP Computer Science A section for tons of AP-style practice questions.

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What is a good AP Computer Science A score?

Receiving a 3, 4, or 5 is generally accepted as scoring well on an AP exam. According to the College Board a 3 is 'qualified,' a 4 'well qualified,' and a 5 'extremely well qualified.' Depending on the school you plan to attend, college credits are often offered for scores of 3 or above. To review the AP Credit Policy, for schools you're considering, use College Board's search tool.

When evaluating your performance on the AP Computer Science A Exam consider the subject matter and your performance versus your peers'. According to the 2016 AP Computer Science A score distribution report, only 64.5% of students passed, with a 3 or higher.

What is the average AP Computer Science A score?

The average AP Computer Science A scores differ yearly due to factors such as a new student population and revision of exams. The College Board typically attempts to maintain consistency in exams for each subject. We can analyze the average AP Computer Science A score more efficiently by considering a multi-year trend.

Why are AP Computer Science A scores curved?

The scores on AP exams are curved every year by the College Board to preserve consistency and standardize student performance. Courses are essentially college-level subjects; AP Computer Science A is no exception to this rule. The scoring guidelines are intended to emulate the austerity of similar college courses.

How do I get a 5 on AP Computer Science A?

This common question has no easy answer. To achieve a 5 on the AP Computer Science A exam, you will need a combination of hard work, commitment to learning the material, and a strict study plan. The AP Computer Science A Exam is intended to determine your understanding of the fundamentals of object-oriented programming in Java. Throughout the exam, you must demonstrate your ability to write, analyze, design, and document programs and subprograms. Additionally, a strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction is required for an optimal score.

Luckily, Albert.io has developed informational articles to help you further prepare for the AP Computer Science A Exam. Peruse the following for additional course help.
The Ultimate List Of AP Computer Science Tips
The Best AP Computer Science Review Books
For additional practice visit the Albert.io guide to AP Computer Science A where we've prepared hundreds of multiple-choice and free-response questions for you. You can study anywhere, anytime with Albert.io resources. Preparation is the key to mastering any exam. Thus, it's no surprise that Albert AP Computer Science students exceeded the national pass average by 14.17% in 2016.

Why should I use this AP Computer Science A score calculator?

Albert.io's AP Computer Science A score calculator was created to inspire you as you prepare for the upcoming exam. Our score calculators use the official scoring worksheets of previously released College Board exams to provide you with accurate and current information. For further evidence of our scoring validity review our process for score predictions.We know that preparation is the key to success and in that spirit have provided you with this easy tool. Once you know the makeup of a 3, 4, or 5 AP Computer Science A score, you will be better prepared to ace your exam with minimal worry.

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AP Computer Science A Score Calculator for 2018 | Albert.io

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Need an AP Computer Science A score calculator? Albert has you covered. Simulate how you would do on AP Computer Science A exam by using the interactive score calculator below. Need extra help studying for AP Computer Science A? Check out our AP Computer Science A section for tons of AP-style practice questions.

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Old exams for additional practice

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AP Computer Science A Exam Practice - AP Student

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All exam code is consistent with the AP Java subset. All questions involving code should be answered in Java

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AP test prep website -
Our class code: VAGU7Z62JHVZ

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Grades 5-12 reading, writing, math, science, and test prep | Albert

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Albert gives teachers access to world-class, standards aligned practice content for AP, Common Core, NGSS, SAT, ACT, Regents, SSTAAR and more.

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This sheet will be available to you during the Open-Ended portion of the exam.

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Info on what exactly from the Java Programming Language is tested on the AP Exam

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Countdown to May 15, 2018 12:00 noon. Showing days, hours, minutes and seconds ticking down to 0

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Breif presentation with everything you need to know about the AP Test

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