AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Does it make sense if I take the AP Computer Science Principles class at my school as a junior after self-studying and taking the AP Computer Science A exam in sophomore May? The reason for this lies in that my school does not let any underclassman take AP Comp Sci classes, and I don’t feel like wait until junior since I already have the ability. The reason to take A instead of Principles (which is obviously easier) is that principles require us to have two through class assignments, while I am not taking the class. My adviser suggests that since Principles is an easier class so 1). I seem to avoid harder a class by self-studying to take the test; 2). I seem to go backward in difficulties which are a bad thing to show on the transcript (its like take Calc AB after passing Calc BC). But my reasons to take the class is 1). more ap’s on my transcript; 2). to have some proofs of my computer science interests through transcript (I have done 3 projects on Machine Learning, one of which is a state best of category)

could you guys give some advice?

2

I taught both of those AP classes last year. I don’t know what colleges will think - it probably doesn’t matter. If anything, you should have taken AP CS-A course, not self study…now it isn’t going to show up on your transcript. You just self-report AP scores on your college applications. But I think you will be bored to death in the Principles class - especially if they use the code.org curriculum (it’s ok, but if you can pass the AP CS A / JAVA exam it will be super easy). I think you could use your time better, personally. Is it possible to talk to the AP CSP teacher and explain your background? Maybe you could enroll but use the class time to take an online CS course through a community college (C++, etc.) and then work on the Performance Tasks for the AP CSP Digital Portfolio submissions (which should not take you very long) when the class works on them. You will lose your mind learning about loops, variables, etc.