<p>Hello, first time poster here. I really wanted to have Comp Sci in my schedule, but it didnt fit. It was either my foreign language or comp sci, and well, i was recommended not to drop my foreign language. Anyway, in my school, comp sci is a full year class, and ive heard that most schools do it in a half. I'm really good with computers, except, I have little knowledge in programming. I'd really like to take Comp Sci A. I've also heard its an easy class. So, is it possible to just self study Comp Sci A? And if so, should I get a Barrons book or soemthing for it?</p>
<p>It's possible, but you need to devote your time to it. Barron's is an excellent supplement for the course, but do try to spend your time on the computer as well testing your own code.
My class used the JCreator compiler to write our code.</p>
<p>Good luck. My teacher frustrated me by leaving us to study for ourselves. In the end, I ended up not caring about the class (This was AB though, I passed A.)</p>
<p>Well, you made it sound harder than I thought it was now..hmm..is it worth it to self study Comp Sci A?</p>
<p>Depends on what you what to study in college</p>
<p>im hoping for a more computer oriented career...so i think comp sci is worth it</p>
<p>Okay then, do it. I just suggested writing and testing your own code because you said you had little programming experience.</p>
<p>Is "Be Prepared for the AP Compsci exam in Java" a good review book?</p>
<p>Would Barrons be better if you don't have too much programming experience?</p>
<p>^I do not know about this book you speak of, but Barron's does explain things very clearly, it's a great book for beginners. The sample questions are hard, though.</p>
<p>snipez, if the book you are talking about is the book by Maria Litvin, get it by all means. I found it to be far more useful for CS AB. Just note that the questions in that book are far harder than the questions on the actual exam. If you do well with that book, you will do very well on the AP exam.</p>
<p>If you're self-studying, it might be more helpful to get the Barron's book, than Litvin's book. I personally think that Litvin's book is much more helpful in reviewing the concepts and preparing you for the AP exam than Barron's, but that's only if you're getting all the information from somewhere else or know it already. Otherwise, just get Barron's and learn everything out of that.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input, I didn't mean to hijack this thread but I would classify myself as a beginner in CS. It seems that barrons is the book I should get for right now. Should I get the brand new Barron's CS book 07-08 or should I settle for an earlier version (the 2003 version looks familiar, but will the date matter)?</p>
<p>The dates will DEFINITELY matter. You'll need the 07-08 book because the case study for the 2008 exam is all new. Any of the older editions will cover the marine biology case study which has now been retired.</p>
<p>agree with jml. new case study means you need a new book... unless you want to learn MBCS (but then you'd be in for a surprise when the AP exam starts asking you questions about ants when you'd studied for questions about fish)</p>
<p>To answer OP's question, it is possible to self study for comp sci A. I would question if it is possible to self study for AB if you have no prior programming experience. </p>
<p>Get Barron's, Litvin would be a great addition, but like everyone has mentioned, make sure to get the updated case study! If you see anything related to fish, don't buy the book! </p>
<p>I find Barron's explains very well; you just have to practice lots with JCreator.</p>