If you're a student looking to ace the AP Computer Science Principles exam, you'll want to get your hands on a top-notch textbook. One excellent resource is the College Board's official AP Computer Science Principles book, which is designed to align perfectly with the exam's curriculum.
This book is a must-have for any student taking the AP Comp Sci Principles course. It's written by experts in the field and is packed with real-world examples and case studies to help you understand complex concepts.
The book covers all the topics you'll need to know for the exam, including algorithms, data structures, and computer science principles. It also includes practice problems and quizzes to help you gauge your understanding.
Recommended read: Computer Science Principles Code Org
Preparation
To prepare for the AP Computer Science Principles exam, it's essential to use a reliable prep book. One top recommendation is the "5 Steps to a 5" book, which is currently less than $8.99 on Amazon.
Suggestion: Learn to Code Book
The book is a great resource for reviewing content, with a useful pseudocode guide at the end to help with the code used on the AP Exam. Additionally, the practice questions at the end of each unit are helpful in checking for understanding.
To make the most of your prep time, don't wait until the last minute to work on your AP Computer Science Principles Create task. Budget extra time to account for unforeseen challenges, and set a deadline a full week before the actual deadline to fix any problems that pop up without rushing.
5 Steps
Here's a section on "5 Steps" to help you prepare for an exam:
The first step is to review the content of the exam using a prep book. This book should have a useful pseudocode guide, like the one in the "5 Steps to a 5" book, to help you understand the code used on the exam.
You might enjoy: Ap Comp Sci a Practice Exam
Reading the book a few weeks before the exam can be very helpful, as I did when I used the "5 Steps to a 5" book. It helped me review what I needed to know for the exam.
A good prep book should also have practice questions at the end of each unit, like the ones in the "5 Steps to a 5" book. These questions can help you check your understanding of the material.
Using a prep book that's less than $8.99, like the "5 Steps to a 5" book, can be a great value. It's also a good idea to use a book that's not too word-heavy and has a nice style to read.
If you're planning to take the AP exam, you should also practice with exams similar to the one you'll be taking. Unfortunately, the practice exams in the "5 Steps to a 5" book aren't similar enough to the actual exam.
Here are some pros and cons of using the "5 Steps to a 5" book:
- Useful pseudocode guide at the end of the book
- Practice questions at the end of the units are very helpful
- Don't recommend using this book for the create performance task
- Practice exams in this book are not similar enough to the actual exam
Start Early
Starting early is a great way to manage the AP Computer Science Principles Create task.
Give yourself plenty of time to work on this task, as it involves a lot of work and can't be rushed.
Your teacher will likely provide guidance on how to schedule your time, but it's up to you to budget extra time for unforeseen challenges.
Set a deadline at least a week before the actual deadline to fix any problems that pop up without rushing.
This will help you avoid last-minute stress and ensure you have time to make any necessary adjustments.
Khan Academy Resources
Khan Academy Resources are a game-changer for AP Computer Science Principles students. The platform offers a wealth of free resources, including articles to read, annotate, and review, with practice questions that mimic the style of the real AP Exam.
You can earn points by taking unit quizzes in a game-ified way, which makes studying more engaging and fun. Khan Academy is free, allowing you to use their practice tests without any cost.
Intriguing read: Ap Comp Sci Principles Test
One of the most helpful features is the online coding samples in 4 different programming languages. This can be a great way to find a platform to create your Create Performance Task Projects.
Here are the Big Ideas covered in Khan Academy's AP Computer Science Principles resources:
Keep in mind that Khan Academy doesn't offer direct instruction for the Create Performance Task, so be sure to supplement with other resources.
Resources
Khan Academy offers a range of resources to help you prepare for the AP Computer Science Principles exam, including articles, quizzes, and practice questions that are similar to the style of questions on the real AP Exam.
Their APCSP Quizzes and Articles feature allows you to read, annotate, highlight, and review articles with practice questions, making it a valuable study tool.
You can also earn points by taking unit quizzes on Khan Academy, which is a game-ified way to prepare for the AP CSP Exam.
Explore further: Ap Comp Sci Exam Calculator
Khan Academy is free, which means you can use their practice tests without any cost.
Online practices with coding samples in 4 different programming languages are also available on Khan Academy, which can be helpful in finding a platform to create your Create Performance Task Projects.
However, one drawback of Khan Academy is that it doesn't provide direct instruction for the Create Performance Task.
AP Computer Science Principles study guides and flashcards are also available online, covering topics such as Big Idea 1: Creative Development, Big Idea 2: Data, and more.
The Big Idea 1: Creative Development unit focuses on the significance of collaboration in program development and using an iterative approach.
The Big Idea 2: Data unit delves into how computers handle data and how data can be utilized to generate fresh information and solve problems.
Here are the five Big Idea units covered in AP Computer Science Principles:
- Big Idea 1: Creative Development
- Big Idea 2: Data
- Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming
- Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks
- Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing
Exam Details
The AP Computer Science Principles exam is a bit different from other AP tests. It has two main parts: a multiple-choice exam and a Create performance task.
The multiple-choice exam is taken in a timed setting on the AP exam day, and you'll have 70 questions to answer. You'll need to keep track of time during this section to make sure you have enough time to complete all the questions.
The Create performance task is completed throughout the course, and you'll submit it at or before a specific deadline around the multiple-choice exam date. This means you'll have some flexibility in terms of when you complete the task, but make sure to stay on track and meet the deadline.
The exam is designed to test a wide variety of computer science skills and tasks, so be prepared to show off your knowledge in different areas.
Course Information
The AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description is the key document to review to understand the objectives and expectations of the course and exam.
To develop a comprehensive course document, the Syllabus Development Guide: AP Computer Science Principles is a valuable resource that includes guidelines reviewers use to evaluate syllabi.
The guide specifies the level of detail required in the syllabus to receive course authorization, and it also provides three samples of evidence for each requirement.
Reviewing the course and exam description will help you understand the objectives and expectations of the course and exam, providing a solid foundation for your AP Computer Science Principles course.
Exam and Performance
The AP Computer Science Principles exam is a bit different from other AP exams. It has two main parts: the Create performance task and a multiple-choice exam. The Create task is a computer program of your choice that you'll create, submit, and is worth 30% of your total exam score.
You'll have at least 12 hours of in-class time to complete the Create project, and you can work with classmates while developing your program. However, your written and video submissions must be solely your own work.
Here's a breakdown of the three parts your Create performance task submission must include:
- Code
- Video
- Written response
This format allows you to showcase your programming skills and understanding of computer science concepts.
Exam Tips
To ace the AP Computer Science Principles exam, you need to stay on track with your Create task and keep track of time during the multiple-choice section. This exam has a unique format with a Create task and 70 multiple-choice questions.
It's essential to make learning code a priority, as this will help you succeed on the exam. The Create task consists of code, a video, and written responses, so be sure to practice these skills.
You can use official AP Computer Science Principles practice tests and questions to measure and improve your skills. The College Board has nine examples of Create tasks, including the video and written responses for each.
To get additional practice for the multiple-choice section, you can use Khan Academy's AP Computer Science Principles free online course, which has over 800 practice questions. However, not all of these questions will match actual AP questions in terms of format and difficulty.
To ensure you're practicing what you'll be seeing on the exam, choose high-quality practice questions. You can find these on the College Board's website, along with 18 multiple-choice AP Computer Science Principles practice questions in the course description.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Make learning code a priority.
- Stay on track with your Create task.
- Keep track of time during the multiple-choice section.
- Use official AP Computer Science Principles practice tests and questions.
- Choose high-quality practice questions.
By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared for the AP Computer Science Principles exam and can feel confident on test day.
Create Performance Task
The Create performance task is a key part of the AP Computer Science Principles exam, and it's worth 30% of your total exam score.
You'll create a computer program of your choice, and the College Board recommends at least 12 hours of in-class time to complete this project.
You can work with classmates while developing your program, but your written and video submissions must be solely your own work.
You'll submit a written response, a video, and the code for your program, and you'll have a deadline to submit it around the multiple-choice exam date.
The College Board provides a document and video on the Create task and what it should look like, and you should check it out to get a better understanding of what's expected.
You'll need to submit three parts for your Create performance task: code, a video, and written responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you self study AP Comp SCI principles?
Yes, you can self-study AP Computer Science Principles, especially if you have a strong coding background, as the exam questions are relatively straightforward. However, prior knowledge of coding is recommended for effective self-study.
Is AP Comp Sci principles a hard class?
AP Computer Science Principles is considered a challenging course, but not one of the 10 hardest AP courses. Check out our guide to learn more about what to expect.
Is AP Computer Science Principles the easiest AP?
AP Computer Science Principles is considered one of the easiest AP classes to self-study, with a rating of 1 out of 10 in a survey of AP alumnae. This makes it a great option for students who want to take an AP class with a relatively low level of difficulty.
Sources
- https://library.fiveable.me/ap-comp-sci-p/faqs/best-textbooks-prep-books/blog/KJMnbNIURCi2wFzmEurP
- https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles/course-audit
- https://www.bths.edu/m/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=221793&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=593315
- https://knowt.com/exams/AP/AP-Computer-Science-Principles
- https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-computer-science-principles-exam
Featured Images: pexels.com