There are a variety of reasons to take the AP Computer Science A Exam. It can add an extra edge to your college application or give you the chance to earn some college credit before you graduate high school. You might just take it because you're curious about the subject, or you already have a love of computer science. Whether you're trying to be the world's next billionaire coder or you're just looking to stand out in a competitive market, the last thing you want is to go into the test blind. Here's a look at what you can expect on the AP Computer Science A Exam.
The AP Computer Science A Exam tests five categories, which it calls Computational Thinking Practices:
These concepts will be tested over two sections — on the same day, don't worry! You'll first face one multiple-choice section and then one free-response section. Each section will be worth exactly 50 percent of your overall AP score.
In the multiple-choice section, you'll be given 90 minutes to answer a total of 40 questions. Most of these questions stand on their own, but don't be surprised if you come across related questions that share some code or data.
Across this entire section, you'll be tested on Thinking Practices 1, 2, 4 and 5 with the following weighted presence for each:
When approaching this section, remember that every question is worth the same amount, even though some questions will require significantly more work than others. Additionally, Process of Elimination (POE) will be a powerful tool in tackling this section. As with every multiple-choice test, the answer is on the page. Furthermore, computer science is heavily logic-based, which means wrong answers can often be eliminated using the same sort of logic.
The second half of the test will be a 90-minute free-response section. It will include four questions that all pertain to the third Thinking Practice: Code Implementation. To test your knowledge here, the College Board will look for your proficiency using Java to relay expressions, conditional statements and iterative statements in each of the four questions. On top of that, each will also have its own additional focus. Here's a breakdown:
If any of this seems overwhelming, I have one last piece of information to share that may help alleviate some of that concern: You're not expected to remember all the different classes available in Java. That's why on test day, you'll be given something called the Java Quick Reference guide to help streamline certain aspects of the code that may otherwise be open for interpretation.
If you've kept up with your AP Computer Science A course and feel comfortable with the content, the next step to scoring well on the exam is to, well, study up on the exam. Knowing what you'll face come test day is one of your greatest strategies if you're aiming for that 5. For more help with that, check out our prep book for this exam and head over to our YouTube channel, where we share test-taking content regularly to help you with any other exams that may be on your schedule.
Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I was used to small-town living. I attended an international boarding school as a day …
This year’s AP Scores have been released and Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program has shared the details of this…
Summer is here, marking one of the best times for motivated high schoolers to enroll in summer programs where they can diversify …
College-level STEM programs are notoriously rigorous, and getting off to a strong start can make a huge difference for students w…
Building a strong personal résumé in your first years of high school is recommended by counselors, college & university admis…
Ascent offers cosigned and non-cosigned student loans with exclusive benefits that set students up for success.
Explore Now!Want to find money for school that doesn’t need to be paid back? Access insights and advice on how to search and apply for scholarships!