The AP Computer Science Principles Exam: Scoring a 5
So you want to know how to conquer the AP Computer Science Principles exam. Read on to learn how you can score a 5 on the exam. I’m Jon, a junior pursuing computer science, and I received a 5 on the exam two years ago! I look forward to sharing my knowledge with you.
Steps to Scoring a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles Exam
Understand Class Logistics
The first thing you need to know is the logistics of the class. This is a college credit course, so expect a lot of work. You will be learning computer science skills through the language of Java. Some schools offer this early in high school, but it varies depending on where you are enrolled. This is a year-long course with an AP exam at the end, so be prepared to make a time commitment, as well as around 80 dollars for the test. Since it is a college course, also expect a tough workload with fast paced concepts. A benefit is that this will be a weighted class, so it will affect your weighted grade point average on a five point scale.
Dive Deep into Java Programming
The Java you learn will take you from the basics all the way to the advanced parts. You will learn all about variables, arrays, scope, interfaces, and much more. It is important to learn these since Java is a historically important language that is still widely used. However, don’t stress out over the nitpicky syntax. The big takeaway should be the programming process and logic. You should understand how everything works, like memory storage and data types and how to implement solutions based on concept. This process is important because it can be applied to all languages rather than just Java. This is what is truly valuable for computer science, but you will still want to do well on the test, so you should also learn the specifics. If you are looking for a job in computer science, both these sets of skills will be sought for.
Study Using College Board Material
To study for the AP Computer Science Principles exam, College Board will provide you with many examples, practice tests, and general resources to support you. There will be videos and live sessions available. You can form study groups with your peers, and others around you including your teacher. There are also endless third party sources through books or online. Just like other AP exams and the SAT, the AP CS exam is weird and specific. The testing format is confusing, but with practice you can get used to it. You need to be able to read code and determine what it does in mass. There will be mcq’s and frq’s. The great thing about frq’s is that they don’t have to completely work for you to get points. It is handwritten, so make sure you have time to complete it.
The most important thing to remember is that you should really plan how you want to approach AP Computer Science Principles class. You can always study during the course, but knowing what you want to do with it in your future is vital. So there you go. You have everything you need to ace the AP Computer Science Principles Exam and score a 5. Good luck!
