<p>Hi everyone,
I'm planning to take AP Comp Science next year but I'm not sure how hard it is. Based on what I've read, the prequisite is only Algebra II. I'm going to take Calc AB next year so I'm not worried about the math section. However, will it be hard if I don't know anything about programming? I only know microsoft, excel, and html. That's it. So should I take it?
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>I only ever took Comp Sci A (which is, as far as I know, easier than the current iteration) but from what I remember the curriculum is mostly based around logic and problem-solving, not memorization or prior experience with “code”.</p>
<p>I went in with a minimum amount of experience in TI-BASIC and took Alg II concurrently with it. It is pathetic…</p>
<p>I’m going in next year with no programming experience at all. I’m going to read the first few chapters of Barron’s and an intro to java textbook that I found in the library. Hopefully that will be enough to do well in the class!</p>
<p>I’m taking it on FLVS, but I went into the course with no programming experience whatsoever. I know a smidgeon of HTML and CSS, but I had no idea how to program. Thankfully, no programming experience is required.</p>
<p>If you’re taking the class in school, you guys might start off already assuming that every student knows the basics of Java. Do you know if that’s the case?</p>
<p>A high math level is not required, but often those who do well in CS are students who do well in math. It’s the same type of problem solving and logic that you use in math. You don’t need a certain level of math to do any of the problems besides basic algebra. Technically, you’re responsible for knowing binary, octal, and hexadecimal, but that would likely only be one question, if any.</p>
<p>Will you also be taking the class? If not, then make sure you don’t wait until the last week to study because it’s not just memorization that you can cram for, unlike some exams.</p>
<p>As far as preparation goes… If you are skipping an intro to computer science type of course that touches on java, then I’d assume you’d be responsible for knowing some basics. That’s how it was in my case. I used [Lawrenceville</a> Press - A Guide to Programming in Java](<a href=“http://www.lvp.com/java.htm]Lawrenceville”>http://www.lvp.com/java.htm) and Java Concepts ([Big</a> Java / Java Concepts](<a href=“http://www.horstmann.com/bigjava.html]Big”>http://www.horstmann.com/bigjava.html)) to prepare myself over the summer. I also used the second textbook in class. Use the Barron’s book to prep for the AP test and make sure you learn about the GridWorld Case Study. Your teacher should tell you about it, but you’d be surprised, like 1/4 of the test takers have never been exposed to the case study. You can get the files from the college board website. You could just learn about the case study from Barron’s, but I feel like experimenting with the actual program and modifying really helps you to learn about it.</p>
<p>I went in to my compsci AB class two years ago without one iota of experience in programming. However, in the end, I took the exam and got a 5 on it. </p>
<p>This class is pretty easy if you are good at reasoning and logic. If you have done well at other foreign languages and are going at memorizing, then you should also do well in this class. If you know anything about computers and are good at understanding them, then you should do well.</p>
<p>I had absolutely no knowledge going into APCS this year and ended up doing really well! The class could get pretty hard at times with people coming in with different levels of experience, but the AP exam was very easy in comparison! I’m pretty sure I got a 5 barely studying, but it’s possible I could have gotten a 4.</p>
<p>if you’re a logical thinker, then programming shouldn’t be very hard for you to pick up.
the difficulty of the class itself depends on the teacher though. At my school we had one APCS class that was a complete joke and another that was extremely difficult.
plus, the AP Exam this year was extremely easy compared to past years, so maybe it will be the same next year.</p>
<p>^ Really? This year they included some new topics that used to be on the AB test, such as 2D array, so I would think that would make the exam more difficult. Then again, I took the exam back when there was A and AB.</p>
<p>the only new things this year were 2D arrays, which, in my opinion, weren’t really that difficult, and Lists, which was only used as the superclass for ArrayLists.
I took the 2009 test for practice and it was a lot harder than this year’s test.</p>
<p>Thank you so much every one for your replies.
Yep. I’m good at reasoning, logic, and memorizing stuff. I’m just a little bit worried that since I don’t really have experience with java, I might die in that class listenining to people discussing about the “coded” stuff. Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should prepare for AP Comp Science over the summer?
Thank you.</p>
<p>I essentially self studied Comp Sci last year. I agree with everyone above in that there really isn’t any math involved…I’m not sure why they require you to have taken Algebra II; however, there is a great deal of logic involved. If you plan to start this summer, I suggest you start looking over Barrons (the questions are actually harder than the real test, but it’s good prep). My teacher also gave me this website which was good for practice: [url=<a href=“http://www.javabat.com%5DCodingBat%5B/url”>http://www.javabat.com]CodingBat[/url</a>]</p>
<p>^I agree that [CodingBat[/url</a>] is a good website for practice, and Barron’s is a great review book. If you’re having a little trouble understanding a lot of basics of java, I would recommend [url=<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Java-Kathy-Sierra/dp/0596009208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277781455&sr=8-1”>http://www.amazon.com/Head-First-Java-Kathy-Sierra/dp/0596009208/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277781455&sr=8-1</a>] Head First Java, 2nd Edition (9780596009205): Kathy Sierra, Bert Bates: Books](<a href=“http://www.javabat.com%5DCodingBat%5B/url”>http://www.javabat.com) . This book is great because it explains programming and java in an easy to understand, and funny way, although you won’t need anything past chapter 7 or so.</p>
<p>I learned PHP pretty quickly when I was 10 by messing around with examples. Now I’m pretty fluent.</p>
<p>If I were to take APCS, it would be a self-study. Should I take it next year? I have two APs and 3 self studies so I wouldn’t want to overload myself.</p>