<p>Hello; I signed up for AP Comp Sci A for the next schoolyear (this coming August). I know 0 (nothing at all) about programming, C++, Java, and similar stuff like that, so I really want to get started and perhaps get a little head start on the class. What sources/sites/materials would you guys recommend that essentially teaches me the basics of AP Comp Sci A? Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Comp Sci A is all about basics. There’s really nothing complicated about the class, and programming knowledge is NOT a prerequisite.</p>
<p>Yeah, but are there places to start? The most recent news from that class is that a test average was a D, so I want to at least do some basics first if possible.</p>
<p>If the test average is a D, then your school’s course goes significantly past the basic compsci A curriculum (or your teacher grades incredibly hard). Either way, I don’t know that we can really help you much. If you go and teach yourself basic Java programming, you’ll get a good head start… because that’s at least half of the curriculum right there.</p>
<p>Just read some for dummies book on material might cover in class. Like for example: Programming for Dummies. Of course, those books go way into depth than you need for the course. But you can only read a few chapters which usually go through the basics.</p>
<p>Has reading the dummies book help you in your AP Computer Science A class?</p>
<p>Well, actually for dummies books only examples. There are more books about the class’s material. Like for idiots, etc.</p>
<p>During my 8th grade yr, I was obsessed w/ computer languages so I read a bunch of computer programming books. Now, checking the AP outline, I found a lot of them extremely familiar.
Given that I’m taking AP Computer Sci next year, I think I will have a head start.</p>
<p>You could always read prep books for the subject. There is some, right?
Prep books usually helps a lot more.</p>
<p>That’s what I will do over the summer.</p>
<p>40% of the students who take the APCS A exam FAIL the test. It is NOT easy. The A exam this year is actually more difficult because some of the dead-AB concepts are pushed into the A exam.</p>
<p>[Is</a> the APCS exam easy? No!](<a href=“http://www.hscompsci.com/component/content/article/1-programmingcategoryalias/16-is-the-apcs-exam-easy-no.html]Is”>http://www.hscompsci.com/component/content/article/1-programmingcategoryalias/16-is-the-apcs-exam-easy-no.html)</p>
<p>Darn, my counselor won’t let me take the class till I finished Calc AB.
Stupid rule.
I guess I have to self-study.</p>
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<p>Yep that is a stupid rule. The only math you need is Algebra I for APCS A. And that can be summed up as knowing square roots, variables, rounding, absolute values, and base conversions. (the old AB exam required logarithms).</p>