Thanks for visiting our page on AP Computer Science. Here you’ll find everything you need to know in order to get the best possible grade for your exam. This page contains links to various resources such as study guides and websites to help you get the most out of your studies.
The good thing about the AP Computer Science exam is that it is relatively easy and straightforward to study for. The test has not changed in the last several years, which means you can reuse old tests that you can find online from the College Board as a reference.
You should spend at least two to three months before you are due to sit your exam to carefully go over all of the material. Anything less than two months and you will severely limit your chances of getting a high mark on the test.
Exam Info And Course Content
Like other tests in the AP curriculum, AP Computer Science is composed of two sections: multiple choice and free response. Multiple choice is the first part of the test, and consists of 40 questions. This section should take you around 75 minutes to go through, and accounts for 50% of your total score.
The second free response section contains four questions, and should take you roughly two hours to finish. As part of this section, you will need to understand Java in order to answer the prompts. You will not be able to compile the code using a computer, so this will need to be done by hand.
As stated previously, the AP Computer Science exam has not been changed for the past few years, and there are no changes planned for the foreseeable future. It should be noted that that a new course called AP computer Science Principles has been added to the 2017 curriculum, which is an extension to AP Comp Sci.
Review Materials
Below you will find some of the most recommended books and study guides that are available for AP Computer Science. These books were chosen for their numerous positive reviews on sites such as Amazon, and are up to date with today’s standards.
Barron’s AP Computer Science Review Book
Barron is a well-known publisher in the field of AP preparation books. This piece provides easy to follow instructions and explanations, as well as a series of practice tests that you can do to hone your knowledge.
One of the most effective ways of preparing for the AP Comp Sci test is by coding your own projects using Java, and the book does a good job at explaining this and everything else you would need to know.
There are three practice tests that you can cut your teeth on, as well as a free bonus online test that contains all of the questions and answers explained in detail. The book provides enough information to make your requirements clear, without being redundant and superfluous.
There is also another section to Barron’s book that contains reviews of static variables, lists, and other Object Oriented Programming ideas that you will need to understand to get the most out of the exam.
Self-Study Tips
It is relatively simple to study for the AP Computer Science exam, only if you have studied Java beforehand. It is best that you consume as much information that you can get your hands on before the exam, as well as going through as examples as possible.
There are various sources of free information that can be found on Youtube, as well as free courses on sites such as Udemy for Java.
In programming, experience beats theoretical knowledge. Putting what you know into practice will derive you more results than doing anything else, which is something to keep in mind as you go into each practice module.
Other sites such as Codingbat offer free Java examples, as well as the problems that you need to code from scratch. These examples can be accessed from any computer that can compile Java.
Once you are comfortable with the ins and outs of Java, you can then apply what you know by taking a practice test from Barron’s book.
You can find the above book through Barron’s Amazon product page that can accessed by clicking the link above. The book’s full pricing and delivery information will be made available to you, as well as some potential bonuses, which could include free or discounted shipping, as well as the option to defer your total payment over several months.
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