AP Computer Science AB

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Hi,
I don't have any computer science background and don't know anything about computer programs. When I scanned through some review books from PR, Barrons, etc., I couldn't understand anything, even what's on chapter 1. Would self-studying be doable?
I previously self-studied for AP Calculus and AP Biology. How is AP Computer Science AB compared to them?
Thanks.</p>

2

<p>You might try AP Computer Science A before AB, unless you feel up to the task. It's best to crawl before we run :)</p>

3

<p>yeah I agree, after taking AP Computer Science A, the AB exam was SOOOOO easy...save for the fact I barely avoided a complete disaster on the FR lol</p>

4

<p>Isn't AP Computer Science A included in AB, just as AP Calculus AB is a part of BC? Also, for an AP Computer Science AB exam, do you get a score for AB and a subscore for A?</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Isn't AP Computer Science A included in AB, just as AP Calculus AB is a part of BC?

[/quote]

Yes.</p>

<p>I feel that AP Comp Sci AB (or even Comp Sci A) would be challenging to self-study without previous comp sci experience. This isn't a subject like bio, where you can memorize the information and do well on the test. The information presented in the review books is useless unless you can apply it and write actual code using it. </p>

<p>Personally, I'd recommend self-studying for another AP (almost any other one would work) and taking a class for this one.</p>

6

<p>violetmist2003: Thanks for your suggestion. But, unfortunately, my school doesn't offer neither A nor AB. :(</p>

7

<p>Yeah Same here. My school doesnt have computer science A or AB. Im kinda in the same position as ysk1 about the knowledge of Computer Science. </p>

<p>Im planning on using some book by Litvin but Im not sure if it will get me through.</p>

<p>please provide me any advice.</p>

8

<p>My story? I started studying for AB about a week before the exam. Granted, I had already gotten a 5 in A...but the problem was on all my Barron's tests I was getting MC scores in the mid 20s...then I took the CB 2004 test and got a 33 raw score on the MC. The day of the test, I am pretty sure I got a 37 - 39 raw score on the MC. </p>

<p>Conclusion: Barron's rapes.</p>

9

<p>Bump......</p>

10

<p>Guys,</p>

<p>I dont need how you pulled off a 5, but that would be greatly appreciated for motivation but as for advice I meant like textbooks or reviewbooks that me and ysk1 could use to start with the basics so we dont go *** on the 1st page. </p>

<p>Anyone have any online books or notes to Comp Sci AB? Please provide some info on that as well..</p>

<p>thanks</p>

11

<p>Just buy Java for Dummies and go from there. Honestly, Java for Dummies gives you a pretty good foundation for the Java you'll need to know for the AP Comp. Sci. exam.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Java-Dummies-Barry-Burd/dp/0470087161/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0122618-5006424?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228088&sr=8-1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Java-Dummies-Barry-Burd/dp/0470087161/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0122618-5006424?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228088&sr=8-1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

12

<p>Thanks DATKID. Thanks for helping. </p>

<p>Could someone tell me which book is better from the two that I post:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Java-Methods-AB-Maria-Litvin/dp/0972705570/ref=sr_1_3/103-3957427-1515021?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228285&sr=1-3%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Java-Methods-AB-Maria-Litvin/dp/0972705570/ref=sr_1_3/103-3957427-1515021?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228285&sr=1-3&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Also does that book include the case study or not like proper explanations. Im kinda confused on the case study. What exactly is it? Is it something you experiment on while you're studying or something? </p>

<p>Or......</p>

<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Java-Computer-Science-Essentials/dp/0619267232/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3957427-1515021?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228554&sr=1-1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Java-Computer-Science-Essentials/dp/0619267232/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3957427-1515021?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180228554&sr=1-1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>That one seems alright.</p>

<p>PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT I SHOULD USE!!!</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

13

<p>Litvin's book. Fundamentals of Java is horrible!</p>

14

<p>Thanks CoolJoe! Thanks for that quick reply. Ive been wanting to know for several weeks. </p>

<p>Im getting the 3rd Edition of Litvin (Java Methods: A and AB). With that hopefully I'll supplement it with 175 MC Questions and Barrons or something.</p>

<p>Thank you VERY Much. </p>

<p>Jonathan</p>

15

<p>No problem. </p>

<p>Just to let you know, Barron's is WAAAY harder than the test and should be all you need as far as practice cuz they have about 30 questions for each of 12 chapters= 360 MCs. Also they have an explanation.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

16

<p>Yeah. Ive heard Barrons is REEEEEEALLLY hard but when i finish reading and doing all the exercises in the Litvin book... hopefully i can understand it with no concern. </p>

<p>Last question: I asked this before.. but what is case study. I looked at collegeboard but it never told me what it was but told me that next year's was gridworld.. </p>

<p>can anyone tell me wht it is?</p>

<p>thx</p>

17

<p>The case study is a bunch of code someone wrote as an example for you to follow. On the college board website, at some point, they will have the narrative for the new Grid World case study, which walks you through all the different methods and data of the case study and such. </p>

<p>The exam will ask you a few general to moderately specific questions about the case study, so best would be to look over it a few times and use the prep book (don't read the 100=page narrative). Make sure the prep book is new though, since this is the first year they have a Gridworld case study.</p>