Hi all,
I was wondering how difficult of a test AP Computer Science is. I wanted to take it in my junior year but I am afraid of taking 5 APs / 8 classes because I want to keep up my rank and GPA (others are AP English Comp/Language, APUSH, AP Chem, AP Stats). I was planning to self study for the AP test because I heard that if you are fairly proficient with Java and moderately know how to program you should get a 4 or 5. Can anyone advise me on the difficulty of the AP test?
So, you are concerned about overloading yourself, and your solution is to self study for an AP test?
At my school, the AP class is weird because the teacher doesn’t teach. Therefore, you have to study the book yourself and apply it to tests and assignments etc. However, I heard from some people that if you know basically how to program the AP test should be ok. This is an alternative because of say 30 mins of programming practice a day vs unnecessary stress/material (I heard from someone graphics is covered in the class and it doesn’t appear on the test) and tests, finals, etc.
Self-study it you can self-teach. If not, wait until college. AP Computer Science is easy, but it is also work-intensive. You know what your strengths and weakness are and it is better than taking a class collectively as long as you can self-teach.
You are not overloading yourself if you are doing something you like.
Thanks Waterborne.
My daughter is taking AP Computer Science this year. The teacher says there’s a lot of terminology and vocabulary on the AP exam, not just coding, so do study that as well.
Thanks prodesse. I have previous computer science experience so I’m hoping the terminology won’t be too difficult, but I am still planning to study the vocabulary heavily.
Hi! I’m currently taking AP Computer Science in addition to three other AP classes. The class is fairly easy, but as others mentioned it is a lot of terminology. Your teacher should partner with www.codestudio.org which teaches you everything you need to know for the exam. With about fifteen minutes a day studying terminology and grasping the concepts, you should do very well. I would say that 5 AP classes is a huge commitment but if you’re up for the challenge then go for it. A lot of people shunned me for taking 4 AP classes in addition to my extracurriculars but so far I’m doing pretty well. If you study daily and complete your assignments, I have no doubt you will be fine. My biggest advice is to create a planner with designated times for studying, eating, sleeping, and personal time for each day. I would recommend getting in that habit now as it is a new year 
and it’ll prepare you for what’s to come in junior year. I wish you the best of luck and Happy New Years! *Sorry for the long message!
https://quizlet.com/13385185/ap-computer-science-flash-cards/
If I study ^^ will it be sufficient enough?
Happy new years to you too.
I will also study other stuff like Barron’s added to https://quizlet.com/13385185/ap-computer-science-flash-cards/
Those are great starters to get you going but there’s still more to it. Java only covers a portion of the exam as they also ask you about bits and the very basic principles of computer science (routers, IP address,DNS systems). But, it ultimately depends on which AP computer science class you take. There are 2 AP Computer Science courses: AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles. I take the Principles course so I couldn’t provide you with much insight on the other if you take it. (Sorry!! But if you want I can definitely look into for you). I provided some more terminology for AP Computer Science Principles that would DEFINITELY help you on the exam. I would also recommend a book called : Computer Science Principles The Foundational Concepts of Computer Science **For AP Computer Science Principles. It’s $7.00 online at Amazon.
https://quizlet.com/205154288/ap-computer-science-principles-vocabulary-flash-cards/
It’s 218 vocabulary words but it covers the WHOLE year give or take in Computer Science Principles. If you have a decent understanding of this terminology you should do extremely well in the class and on the exam. But, I do urge you to not stress yourself out over it either. Just take it one step at a time and pace yourself. I commend you on your hard work and dedication to doing well in the class. I’m sure it’ll pay off. *Sorry for the long message again lol.
@Emilyn857 Sorry, I was talking about AP Computer Science A, I should have been more clear. I took principles last year and the ap test was really easy (Same teacher that doesn’t teach). For apcsp vocab is really essential and also ABSTRACTION. Anyways thx.
Is it just me or is there a consistency of people saying their AP CS teachers don’t teach?
@ILikeGoodGrades
Took CSP: super easy! No problem and as @ab2002 said I’m another whose teacher doesn’t teach.
Taking CS A now, while I am doing well due to grade inflation, it has been awful. If you have a bad teacher I do not recommend it
@Bookgal12 The test is mainly programming knowledge / coding elements / reading code right?
If you actually want to learn what CS is about and how it relates to other subjects, you may want to self-study this college course: http://cs10.org/ . The instructor of this course helped design AP CS principles.
@ILikeGoodGrades Yes, I guess. I don’t know how bad your school’s results are but my school gets average scores of 2/3 on the exam. It is 1/2 mc about knowledge, coding elements, reading code. 1/2 FRQ: writing your own code.
There are kids who got accepted into ivy leagues failing tests in my cs class (but passing due to extreme inflation). 3/4 of my class failed a test and I mean average scores in the 50s but he bumped most peoples grades up to 100. IDK how inflation works at your school but I guess that’s another consideration.
@Bookgal12
My comp Sci teacher says that APCS is the hardest ap in the school (over calc bc so she is obviously wrong) but then again she doesn’t teach so how does she expect other students to do well. However I am not really worried because I wanted to self study and take the ap exam in 2019, so with a good year of coding practice (and previous coding experience) I should be fine.
I’m taking APCS online and it was the worst decision of my life.
@sciencenerd123 I’m sorry to hear that, I’m taking it online right now as well and I’m really enjoying it.