<p>Hi parents -</p>
<p>I'm considering taking AP Computer Science online through FLVS, and I'm wondering if your children have had any experiences with this class. Is it hard, easy? How time-consuming is it? Also, are you required to take the AP test to get credit for it? Thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t answer the questions but this: “are you required to take the AP test to get credit for it?”</p>
<p>No, you don’t. My D took several AP classes from FLVS and got credit for them. She did take the AP exams with a local school, but FLVS didn’t know and didn’t care.</p>
<p>My D didn’t take the AP Computer Science class/exam.</p>
<p>Thanks pentaprism!</p>
<p>Anyone else??</p>
<p>“How time consuming” would depend, for any course, on the student. Ability, previous exposure, other factors can make it easy for some and hard for others. You have another thread going about taking extra AP courses. Remember the advice on the other thread. Do more with your life than study. btw- are you a Florida or a Wisconsin resident? Tuition if OOS for FL- may not be worth it. You can study AP material and take the test without taking the class. Do you plan to attend UW-Madison with its excellent computer science? You don’t need to get a head start.</p>
<p>@wiscogurl - I’m not a parent, but I took AP Computer Science through an FLVS provider (not Florida but our virtual school basically uses FLVS material - it even says FLVS on all our assignments) this past year. I went in with very minimal (basically zero) programming experience and found that the class was pretty helpful. Depending on the teacher, flexibility varies (for example, my teacher set due dates but never enforced a late penalty which was helpful during second semester; my friend’s teacher, on the other hand, enforced late penalties). Our class was horribly paced, so rushing was necessary for the AP test, and it was a bit difficult. If you can pace yourself throughout the class such that you put in an hour or two of work everyday, the workload shouldn’t be too bad. However, if you procrastinate like I did and put it off until weekends, you’ll see yourself spending a solid 12 hours, and it will be stressful. I frequently stayed up until midnight or 1 AM on Sunday nights trying to figure out the programs (which demand considerable problem solving ability).</p>
<p>That being said, I don’t regret taking the class. It was eye-opening and pretty interesting, but would have been better in a classroom environment. So, if it’s offered as a class at school, take it in the classroom environment. And, to directly answer your questions:</p>
<p>-Hard or easy? Easy A if your teacher grades assignments on completion but material can be difficult (esp. later in the class).</p>
<p>-Time-Consuming? Yes, if you procrastinate like me. Otherwise, it’s comparable to any AP class.</p>
<p>-Required to take AP test for credit? No, but some schools require it - check your school’s policy. Sometimes, the AP credit could get you out of an introductory programming class in college (if you’re going for an engineering/comp. sci major).</p>
<p>Hope this helps! :)</p>
<p>@wis75 - I’m a Wisconsin resident, but my school would be paying for the course, so I wouldn’t have to pay any tuition as long as I passed. I’m LOVE UW-Madison, and I’m considering going there for engineering. However, I think computer science is very interesting, and I’d love to get some of the basics down. Thank you for your advice!</p>
<p>@EngineBus25 - Thanks for answering my questions so thoroughly! Were the programs ever difficult to run on your computer that were a part of the class? </p>
<p>@wiscogurl - Nope, not at all. We used the BlueJ IDE and it ran the programs pretty smoothly. Try downloading it beforehand just to test it out on your computer. Google a HelloWorld Java assignment in order to practice.</p>
<p>Thanks so much @EngineBus2015! Any other input about the class?</p>