<p>Could anyone please tell me if it is possible to self-study AP Computer Science and score 5, only using review books like PR, Barron's...?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Yes, it is possible if you have access to a computer</p>
<p>Do I need to purchase and install on my computer certain types of computer programs and softwares required by AP Computer Science? If so, please tell me what those programs and softwares are.</p>
<p>You need a java program, like Jcreator. You can download this from the SUN website. For more info on comp sci just go to <a href="http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com%5B/url%5D">www.apcentral.collegeboard.com</a></p>
<p>Thanks for your reply.
Is the java program only software or program required for the whole AP Computer Science course?</p>
<p>yeah, the test is on your ability to use Java(used to be C++ like 2 years ago)</p>
<p>If you are a competent programmer in Java (or have some facility in learning languages), self-studying for Comp AB isn't hard. Be sure to get a practice book that has the marine bio simulation -- it is a significant part of the exam. That's the parent recommendation part.</p>
<p>Now my son's recommendation:
Get on java.sun.com and go through and get familiar with the Collections Tutorials. You can also download Java from there, and he says to download Eclipse as well (eclipse.org). Eclipse is a development environment that my son says is great for testing code, running programs and writing -- all in one environment. Both are FREE.</p>
<p>im taking AP Comp Sci AB at my school right now. so far, it's fairly easy and we just do a lot of programming and stuff... so yeah, its self-studiable</p>