<p>I've been studying for the AP Comp Sci AB exam, and I'm beginning to have doubts about whether I should have taken the A exam instead? I only started studying second semester (self-studied), and I'm sure I can be adequately prepared with a week off from school. The thing is, is it worth it to take the AB exam, given that A is easier to study (I'm studying for AP Bio, along with SAT II Chem/Math-IIC), and that the AB exam is going to be discontinued? Also, is it possible to switch from AB to A? Or should I just drop the AP exam completely and get a partial refund?</p>
<p>I don’t know how much programming background you have, but Comp Sci AB is generally not self-studied as there are some things that are just better demonstrated on the computer by a teacher. If you are having a tough time, just drop the exam and get a partial refund. I think it is too late to change exams.</p>
<p>To be frank, I’m about 2 chapters into Horstmann’s Big Java. Most of the concepts seem pretty straightforward and intuitive, but is it worth it with 25 chapters to go (including time for test prep)? I’m pretty confident with the subject, but would it be outlandish to “master” Java in a week of vacation, along with studying for AP Bio/SAT II Chem/Math-IIC?</p>
<p>That is a textbook, so it isn’t geared toward the AP exam. The multiple choice questions on the AP exam aren’t exactly a piece of cake; they require a pretty thorough understanding of whatever the topic the question is on and some analysis of the code. The AP exam also has a Gridworld case study, which I would assume isn’t in the textbook. And I don’t think going through an entire textbook in a week or 2 is to your cognitive advantage. You also need some hands-on experience writing Java source code.</p>
<p>Drop the AP CS. Just take a real computer science course when you get to college, because even if you pass this exam, your knowledge will not be on par with that of a student who actually went to a college class. </p>
<p>Don’t get AP credit for anything you’re actually interested in.</p>
<p>Just because you get the credit doesn’t mean you can’t retake it in college.</p>
<p>If you are going for credit though, look at schools you’re interested in, because some give the same credit for both A/AB,and at that point you might as well take A.</p>
<p>@immortalix: I have AP prep books as well (my brother actually takes the course and didn’t self-study), and the multiple choice questions/GridWorld case study look conquerable provided that I dedicate all my time this week to studying. But now that I think about it, this is absurd; I agree with your point on actually understanding the material rather than rushing it for the sake of an exam.</p>
<p>So I’m thinking of doing some casual Java study this week just to keep up with class at school (auditing), and taking comp sci at a community college over the summer. Is this a good idea, considering that what I essentially wanted to do when I made the decision to self-study was to get programming experience before I began working on a research project over the summer? I’ll be able to study alongside my project, and with a more advanced course during the school year (my school allows you to take off-campus courses), I’ll be well-prepared for the AP exam in my senior year.</p>
<p>sounds good… but remember that it’s your last chance ever to take AB because it will then be canceled… think it over and decide. The A exam is easy to get a 5 on with some study, though.</p>