<p>I really want to self-study AP comp sci this year since I'm only taking one AP (APUSH). So is it too late to start now? I took a programming class over the summer in Racket, but I'm not sure how much that would help with Java. I also have Head First Java. If it's not too late, where do I start? And for those of you that also self-studied it, how did you do on the exam?</p>
<p>AP Comp Sci is one of those subjects that you don’t really really need a teacher for, but you just have to practice and practice and do more practice. Also, the book can get a bit confusing so if you want to self-study, you should always have someone who can help you. One last thing. The book isn’t too long, so if you want it is possible to start without overloading yourself, depending how much you read.</p>
<p>Of course not. I decided I wanted to learn programming, so I took a couple of days and learned the basic Java syntax (I knew absolutely nothing about programming prior to this). Then I started working on hard problems (USACO, Topcoder, Codeforces, etc.) and quickly learned much more. In 3 weeks I already knew enough to easily go through the AP test, but more importantly I’m scoring well on USACO and such. It’s really quite easy to “pick up and go” with. Especially since you already have some experience with programming.</p>
<p>I got some experience in Basic CS. I’ve taken classes at community colleges in Java and C++, although not necessarily advanced OOP. From what I’ve seen the Multiple Choice is harder, you can do the written part just by referring to the table they give you and tackling the question head on, although that might not be the wisest thing to do.</p>
<p>What books do you guys suggest? I think IvyStruck also asked this question. Is the Barron’s book fine? That’s what I bought. Is there some way we could find more accurate CB multiple choice questions?</p>
<p>And also, how often do those bugs/GrindWorld Case studies or whatever come up?</p>
<p>The GridWorld case study is a required part of the 2014 exam; there will be several multiple-choice questions on GridWorld, and one of the four free response questions will be about GridWorld. </p>
<p>(This will be the last year that GridWorld appears on the AP exam.)</p>
<p>What’d you do in the Racket class? It’s pretty cool that they taught it.</p>
<p>You’ll probably be fine. Barron’s is OK, but harder than the actual exam – grab it and try to work through it. It’s pretty dry, though, but that’s why you have Head First Java. I mainly used those two to self-study AP CS A, and got a 5. </p>
<p>One thing I didn’t do was actually code, which I sort of regret now (but it’s too late… and I’m doing OK in my CS classes in college, so I guess it worked out fine). You should learn how to program instead just learning Java syntax – sure, working things out on paper is good, but it’s also important to actually code. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to try out USACO/TopCoder stuff, but those are beyond the scope of AP CS A.</p>
<p>^The class was called something like “Introduction to Systematic Program and Design” from Coursera, so we learned how to design programs using a step-by-step formula.</p>
<p>You could take it on Amplify MOOC.</p>
<p>But you would be a whole semester behind where we all are now.</p>
<p>@sodiumwithwater How was the Amplify course? If you don’t mind me asking, what score did you get?</p>