About AP CS A

AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming. Fundamental topics in this course include 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. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

It is recommended that students have successfully completed a first year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions, composition of functions, and problem-solving strategies that require multiple approaches and collaborative efforts. In addition, students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane. It is important that students and their advisers understand that any significant computer science course builds upon a foundation of mathematical reasoning that should be acquired before attempting such a course.

COMPUTER LANGUAGE The course requires that solutions of problems be written in the Java programming language. Because the Java programming language is extensive, the AP Computer Science A Exam covers a subset of Java.

LAB REQUIREMENT The AP Computer Science A course must include a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on, structured lab experiences to engage students in individual or group problem solving. Each course includes a substantial lab component in which students design solutions to problems, express their solutions precisely, test their solutions, identify and correct errors, and compare possible solutions. The College Board has developed several labs that are aligned to the course framework that fulfill the 20- hour lab requirement.

AP Computer Science A Course Content. The course content is organized into ten commonly taught units:

■ Unit 1: Primitive Types

■ Unit 2: Using Objects

■ Unit 3: Boolean Expressions and if Statements

■ Unit 4: Iteration

■ Unit 5: Writing Classes

■ Unit 6: Array

■ Unit 7: ArrayList

■ Unit 8: 2D Array

■ Unit 9: Inheritance

■ Unit 10: Recursion

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A EXAM: 3 HOURS

Assessment Overview

The AP Computer Science A Exam assesses student understanding of the computational thinking practices and learning objectives outlined in the course framework. The exam is 3 hours long and includes 40 multiple-choice questions and 4 free-response questions. As part of the exam, students will be given the Java Quick Reference, which lists accessible methods from the Java library that may be included in the exam.

Format of Assessment

Section I: Multiple-choice | 40 Questions | 90 Minutes |

50% of Exam Score

■ Mostly individual questions, with one or two sets of multiple questions (typically two to three questions per set).

■ Computational Thinking Practices 1, 2, 4, and 5 are assessed.

Section II: Free-response | 4 Questions | 90 Minutes |

50% of Exam Score

■ Question 1: Methods and Control Structures (9 points).

■ Question 2: Class (9 points).

■ Question 3: Array/ArrayList (9 points).

■ Question 4: 2D Array (9 points).

■ Computational Thinking Practice 3 is assessed.