AP Computer Science A: A Guide to This College-Level Class
AP classes are undoubtedly the best way to leave our comfort zone and learn more about what we are really passionate about. Some of us may be really passionate about science and therefore we may choose AP classes such as AP Biology or AP Chemistry. But others may love math and therefore they tend to take classes such as AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and AP Physics but what about those who are interested in computer science? The College Board offers 2 AP classes: AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A.
In this blog, we will focus on AP Computer Science A, so if you are a high-achieving high school student who is planning on taking that AP class but does not know much about the curriculum or what to expect, then you are in the right place! We will go over a brief overview of the class, the curriculum and what to expect in each unit. At the end, we will give you some tips to prepare for the exam.
AP Computer Science A Class
This class introduces students to computer science through programming. College Board explains that the class includes “the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.” It is important to mention that the course is intended to emphasize object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.
Curriculum
The AP Computer Science A class include 10 units:
Primitive Types
Using objects
Boolean Expressions and if Statements
Iteration
Writing classes
Array
ArrayList
2D Array
Inheritance
Recursion
Units
PRIMITIVE TYPES (2.5% - 5% OF EXAM SCORE)
This unit focuses on the basic building blocks of programming, including variables, data types (such as integers, booleans, and characters), expressions, and operators. Students learn how to manipulate data and perform computations using these concepts.
USING OBJECTS (5 - 7.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
In this unit, students learn about object-oriented programming and how to define and use objects in Java. They explore classes, methods, and instance variables, as well as the concept of object references and memory allocation.
BOOLEAN EXPRESSIONS AND IF STATEMENTS (15%–17.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
This unit introduces boolean expressions and conditional statements (if statements). Students learn how to write and use logical expressions to make decisions and control the flow of a program.
ITERATION (17.5%–22.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
Iteration, or also known as looping, is the focus of this unit. Students learn about different types of loops, such as the for loop, while loop, and do-while loop. They understand how to use loops to repeat code and solve problems that require repetitive tasks.
WRITING CLASSES (5%–7.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
This unit delves deeper into class design and implementation. Students learn about class relationships, constructors, instance and static methods, inheritance, and polymorphism. They gain a deeper understanding of object-oriented programming principles.
ARRAY (10%–15% OF EXAM SCORE)
In this unit, students learn how to create, access, and modify arrays. They understand the concept of indexing, which allows them to access individual elements within an array. Students also learn about array initialization, looping through arrays, and performing common operations like finding the minimum or maximum value.
ARRAYLIST (2.5%–7.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
Students explore the ArrayList class, which is a more flexible alternative to arrays. They learn how to create ArrayList objects, add and remove elements, and access values using methods provided by the ArrayList class. Students understand the benefits of ArrayLists, such as their ability to dynamically resize and accommodate varying numbers of elements.
2D ARRAY (7.5%–10% OF EXAM SCORE)
Building upon the concepts of arrays, this unit focuses specifically on two-dimensional arrays. Students learn how to represent and manipulate data in a grid-like structure, enabling them to work with tables and matrices.
INHERITANCE (5%–10% OF EXAM SCORE)
Inheritance is a core concept in object-oriented programming. This unit explores inheritance relationships, including superclass and subclass relationships. Students learn how to create and use inheritance hierarchies and understand the benefits of code reuse.
RECURSION (5%–7.5% OF EXAM SCORE)
Recursion involves solving problems by breaking them down into smaller, simpler instances of the same problem. In this unit, students learn about recursive methods and how to design and implement recursive algorithms.
It is worth mentioning that even though all units are important for the AP Computer Science class and test, unit 3 and 4 are the most important and therefore knowing that when it comes to review will be helpful to know where to put more time.
How To Prepare?
Review the Course Content: Review your class notes, textbooks, and any other study materials provided by your teacher. Remember to pay special attention to topics such as object-oriented programming, algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving techniques.
Practice Coding: Programming is a practical skill, so regular coding practice is essential in order to get a high score. Solve coding problems from textbooks, online resources, or previous AP exams. Implement algorithms, work with data structures, and write clean and efficient code.
Understand the Exam Format: Familiarize yourself with the format of the AP Computer Science A test. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and free-response questions. Understand the scoring rubrics for the free-response questions and practice answering them in a concise and clear manner according to what the prompt says.
Take Practice Tests: Take full-length practice tests under exam-like conditions to assess your knowledge and skills. This will help you become familiar with the types of questions and be aware of the timing. Remember that timing is key with AP Tests!
Review Sample Solutions: After attempting practice problems or practice tests, review the sample solutions or answers provided. Compare your solutions with the correct ones to identify any mistakes or areas where you can improve.
Join Study Groups or Seek Help: Collaborate with classmates or join study groups to discuss concepts, solve problems together, and clarify doubts. Teaching and explaining concepts to others can reinforce your understanding. For instance, I am an AP Statistics Tutor at my school and helping others helped me to reinforce what I knew and practice indirectly. Remember that “helping others is a gift to yourself.”
Stay Calm and Manage Stress: On the day of the exam, stay calm and confident. Remember to manage your time while reading each question carefully, and if you're unsure about an answer, make an educated guess. Avoid rushing through the questions and double-check your answers if time allows.
Reminder
No matter what you get on this exam, that does not define who you are! You are more than just a score and learning and failing is part of life. Push yourself, but also take care of yourself.
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