The AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) Create Performance Task is a performance-based assessment where students design and engineer a computer program.
In addition to writing the program, students will also have written response questions on the AP CSP exam. These questions assess their understanding of computational thinking practices and their ability to analyze and describe the program they created.
Students are given a minimum of 9 hours of class time to complete their project and upload it to College Board's digital portfolio. This allows them to create a Personalized Project Reference, which they can use during the written response portion of the AP CSP exam.
Students can design any app they want on any topic they wish; however, the app must contain and utilize the following programming tools:
Instructions for input/output
A list which is utilized for some feature of the program.
A student-developed procedure (function) that contains each of the following:
One or more parameters that have an affect on functionality.
Iteration (loops)
Selection (if-statements)
Video: A short video (< 1 minute) demonstrating the program's functionality. The video should clearly show the program running, including input, functionality, and output. Screenshots or storyboards are not acceptable.
Program Code: Submission of the program code, including comments to explain how it functions.
Personalized Project Reference: Code snippet showcasing:
Student-Developed Procedure (definition and call)
List (definition and usage)
Prior to the 2023 - 2024 school year, the Create Performance Task was carried out completely online where students could submit their written response at any point before the deadline virtually. However, as a result of the rapid growth of ChatGPT, College Board modified the exam so that the written response will take place in person. As such, this will only be the second year of having the exam in this format.
You can see previous year's writing prompts as well as scoring guidelines and samples using the link here.
The purpose of this website is to provide examples and opportunities to explore the requirements of the Create Performance Task. Each app includes both completed code as well as student-facing code that requires them to practice skills that relate to the create task. Apps also include written responses and commentary on how they would be used on the 2023-2024 AP Exam.
Sample Apps
Includes Written Response
Includes Written Response