<p>How hard would it be for somebody with minimal computer skills (I pretty much know how to turn it on and double click Firefox) to learn the material for AP CompSci A? How much catch up work would I have to do in order to be able to learn the material?</p>
<p>It really has little to do with how much you know about computers and more about your logic and thought process. Get a java programming book write some programs and you should have some solid knowledge by 3-5 months. Then get an AP test booklet to see sample questions and tricks and tips for the exam.</p>
<p>no work. take the class, it’s easy.</p>
<p>The test is more of a language test on Java (I would actually say its more like an AP French exam than an AP Calc BC exam) than anything. So no deep computer knowledge is needed (Java is the only thing you need to know); its not something where you have to work with junction trees + probability theory + computer modeling or anything like that. </p>
<p>EDIT: It would not be a stretch to say that you don’t even need to work with a computer in the class (all you have to learn is to write code and how the code works) to get a good AP score.</p>
<p>Thank you very much everyone! I’ll definitely do the EPGY online program now!</p>
<p>The A exam is mostly on programming logic and flow in Java. The (i guess now-defunct?) AB exam covers everything on A as well as data structures and basic algorithm analysis as per a first year course in computer science at the university level.</p>
<p>JD: Yeah, they go rid of the AB exam unfortunately. Like everyone says, A is basically how to do some low-level programming with Java, whereas AB was actually getting to the heart of programming. OP: The only part you can’t learn with any Java book is the Case Study.</p>
<p>I coded a fully functional game in Java and had a 100% all year, yet got a 4 on the test. =</p>
<p>My teacher made the class AB and let us take the A test, so we’d know much more than necessary. I’m not sure if his logic helped me get a good score since I didn’t get my scores yet, but I agree with the above in that you just need to know the basics of Java programming for the A exam.</p>
<p>I was in the AB class and decided to take the A test (didnt wanna to study for test)
and here I am, getting a 4 on the test lol</p>
<p>Congrats, zala! lol it just sucks for me that I need a 5 to get college credit, so my chances are pretty low.</p>
<p>just review the course description, <a href=“Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board”>Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day – AP Central | College Board;
<p>I’m looking to self-study AP Comp Sci, but not with an instructer, just going to have some friends help me, and an old math teacher. I hear that it’s based on Java and that the most you’ll need to know computer wise is writing codes, which I’m guessing is what the essay’s about. I would recommed using FLVS over the Stanford option just because they are more oriented to the high school student, Stanford is usually expects you to have background knowledge. But Good Luck!</p>