<p>I'm a beginner with no previous experience in Computer Science. I want to self study AP Comp Science, and first I think I've got to learn Java. I'm using this online textbook I found: Javanotes</a> 6.0 -- Title Page</p>
<p>Here is its table of contents. How many chapters must I know for the actual exam? I do not want to learn more than is necessary for doing well on the AP test. </p>
<p>Chapter 1: Overview: The Mental Landscape
Chapter 2: Programming in the Small I: Names and Things
Chapter 3: Programming in the Small II: Control
Chapter 4: Programming in the Large I: Subroutines
Chapter 5: Programming in the Large II: Objects and Classes
Chapter 6: Introduction to GUI Programming
Chapter 7: Arrays
Chapter 8: Correctness, Robustness, Efficiency
Chapter 9: Linked Data Structures and Recursion
Chapter 10: Generic Programming and Collection Classes
Chapter 11: Advanced Input/Output: Streams, Files, and Networking
Chapter 12: Threads and Multiprocessing
Chapter 13: Advanced GUI Programming </p>
<p>Which chapters are necessary??? </p>
<p>And any advice for self studying AP Computer Science?</p>
<p>Skip chapter 6 and stop after 8 or 9 (I don’t remember if recursion is on the AP exam, but if it is, there isn’t much of it). Make sure you understand 5 especially well. You might want to look at the College Board site to see if they have more specific information about what you’re expected to know.</p>
<p>Also, I would highly recommend you take some exams from previous years at least a few weeks before the real one so you know what to expect. Be sure to understand Gridworld. If you can do that and the other free response questions, you will be in good shape.</p>
<p>Whether or not it is possible really depends on you. I took the exam last May and found it very easy, but that’s because I have a lot of experience on my own in CS. Many people in my school have a very hard time with it. If you’re motivated enough to self-study then that is definitely a plus. </p>
<p>As for online resources, I have heard many people rave about Khan Academy in general. I know they recently came out with some neat new interactive [CS</a> Courses](<a href=“https://www.khanacademy.org/cs]CS”>Computer programming | Computing | Khan Academy). Unfortunately they don’t seem teach Java or OOP so they might not be directly applicable (although the basic skills are the same in any language). Also I haven’t used it much so I can’t really recommend it myself. The best resource might be a book specific to the AP exam, since it will have all the topics you need to know and include less irrelevant information than a general tutorial.</p>
<p>Just to emphasize this, the biggest tip I can give you for taking the test is to go over the past exams - preferably a good amount of time before you take the real one. This will give you a very good idea of how well you are going to do. Also, look at how the free response questions are scored. You can almost always get a good portion of the credit even if you have no idea what you’re doing. Many people get confused and just leave them blank, missing out on easy points!</p>