<p>I really want to take AP Computer Science A next year, but, looking at practice exams and the textbook that we will be using, I am afraid. The material looks foreign and difficult to understand. The java also looks intimidating, as it seems like all-memorization.</p>
<p>I don't have any prior computer experience and, because of a rather rigorous schedule, can't afford to spend hours in front of the computer struggling to understand a concept. Also, the course will be online, so I will be deprived of the benefits of a face-to-face classroom setting.</p>
<p>Should I take the class? Is CS really as hard as it looks?</p>
<p>APCS is not at hard as it looks…in fact, it is probably one of the easiest ap courses out there. Collegeboard also removed AP Comp. Sci. AB last year, which was the more advanced one. Either way, you really need practice making programs if you want to do good because the AP exam is mainly reading programs and answering questions such as which code is correct, or what is the output of this code. On the free response part, you will have to write programs that meet their specifications. </p>
<p>In my Comp Sci class, we did not use a textbook (I can’t imagine how boring a JAVA textbook would be), but we did have lots of experience making programs (and games!)</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that you won’t just get AP Credit for any exam…the class has to be a part of your degree curriculum at your university. (for me, even though I got a 5 and credit for AP Comp Sci A, I will not finish my degree any quicker because the class is not considered general education and it is not a part of my degree requirements.)</p>
<p>Displayname, thank you for the response! Do you think that I definitely should get some program experience before the class starts (that sounds a little difficult, seeing as I have neither a teacher nor much time) or will just taking the class be enough to do well, to both get an A and get a 5 on the exam?</p>
<p>Also, I don’t exactly plan on taking the exam for credit. I just want to take the course to see how I like CS; if I really like it, I might want to major in it in college! But at the same time, in taking the course I have to get an A and all that jazz (a mixture of both parental and self expectations) and I was just afraid that if the course is TOO hard, it might not be possible to get everything I want, including A’s in all of my other classes and 5’s on my several AP tests that I will be taking.</p>
<p>APCS is an introduction to computer science. It’s not expected that you know any java, or for that matter, any languages at all. You’re supposed to learn it during the time. The syntax can look confusing, but it’s really not hard once you get started. The thing that throws off most students is sorting, but that’s at the very end once you’ve developed your skills.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s “too hard” or even “hard.” I think it’s okay if you put in the effort, and easy if you’re really interested in CS. Out of curiosity, where are you taking it online?</p>
<p>@ displayname, sometimes courses being in a degree program does not help either. Sometimes majors are not given credit for classes (Usually Bio majors cannot get credit for Bio, other than elective credit)
Also some schools, like Columbia, keep AP classes from fulfilling gen ed requirements.</p>
<p>@ OP
I’ll assume that you are in Florida and planning on FLVS. You can take the non-AP programming course if you just want the experience in programming and fear the difficulty level. Like you said, you have a rigorous schedule and so you may not need that extra AP course to impress college admissions, especially if it is senior year.</p>
<p>@cherrysunsets2, if you want to see how you like CS, then by all means, take the course. If you are afraid that it will be too much, check the course’s curriculum and see if they have writing programs as an integral part of the course. For me, we seldom had homework and the exam was a breeze. </p>
<p>For practice (if you ever take the course), you can check out this site, [url=<a href=“http://codingbat.com/]CodingBat[/url”>http://codingbat.com/]CodingBat[/url</a>] because it has short programs that you can write and check if your code is correct.</p>
<p>At my school, AP Computer Science was divided into two parts for two years; the first was learning the Java syntax, a little bit with classes/methods and program design. I had a little bit of Java experience, so I was able to skip the first part… but I remembered that near the end of the year, it was somewhat rushed to finish all the concepts. This was at a school on block schedule though, so I only had half the school year to learn the material.</p>
<p>The fact that it’s online though is not a problem at all. Our class actually just read the electronic textbook on the computer all day, wrote some programs, and took some tests. For the most part, I could finish everything in class (and when I could not, it was because I couldn’t focus with the other students in the class lol, but I just finished in about the same time at home).</p>
<p>The problem that could come up is that you make some type of mistake somewhere and it takes forever to find. If this happens, (and it’s sure to happen at least occasionally) a teacher would really be nice to have… However Sun had some very helpful forums for beginners, and I think it’s still there now that it’s Oracle.</p>
<p>Short answer: no. It is not at all as hard as it looks. I entered the class with no programming experience at all and was also somewhat intimidated. However, I found it really really easy and soared through it with an A+ both semesters and a 5. If you do all the programming that is assigned, you will have no problem at all. It’s probably one of the easiest AP classes out there, it was a breese.</p>
<p>I am in the same boat as you (taking it online) and I can’t wait for it. Computer Science is just logical thinking really and should be fun if your a math-oriented person. The syntax will deifnitely look foreign since we have not been in a class yet but all my friends who took it last year said it was really fun. I think it is very important for you since you want to sample computer science to possibly pursue a major in that subject area. So to sum it all up, go for it definitely because its not all that hard.</p>
<p>It’s not at all tough, but I have to say that people who enjoy math are usually ones to enjoy and breeze through APCS. Although it helps to be familiar with the syntax (as in get used to looking at it), you really don’t need any previous experience. The best way to go with the course is to make sure you write a lot of programs. If you do, the AP exam - especially the free response - will be a breeze (most people finish the free response in about half of the 90 minutes (I think) given. Also, I think APCS is probably one of the best classes to take online (I took it through FLVS), for obvious reasons.</p>
<p>Why is everyone saying it’s an easy test? 40% of the APCS A test takers flunked the test with a score of 2 or 1. In addition, most colleges require a 4 minimum on the test!</p>
<p>I took mine through [HSCompSci</a> Online Computer Science for High School Students](<a href=“http://www.hscompsci.com%5DHSCompSci”>http://www.hscompsci.com) last year. I didn’t have a problem getting a five, but without the course, I may have failed it.</p>