<p>I am really interested in this course, do I need to take some instruction course before I take it?
And I don't know if these courses are good for the Computer Olympic Contest:
Programming: VisualBasic & C++
Programming: C++ Programming
Programming: VisualBasic</p>
<p>AP Comp Sci teaches Java, which is a fairly easy language to learn if you have past experience in programming. </p>
<p>And no you don't need an instruction course.</p>
<p>C++ is good for the USACO. More people use it on the contest than Java actually. I think that visual basic is the easiest to learn out of the three, though I don't find it as useful. But my opinion might be a little skewed since I learned VB a long time ago and don't remember it much. </p>
<p>Nah, you don't NEED previous instruction before you take it. However, be prepared to be fairly confused for the first few days.</p>
<p>At least some prior experience in computer programming is highly recommended before taking AP computer science. I'm not familiar with the Olympiad, but C++ is very similar to Java, so you should definitely consider taking that course beforehand. I also heard from my current AP programming teacher that it is easier to learn C++ before learning Java than it is to learn C++ after Java; I'm not exactly sure why, but you should consider that also.</p>
<p>VB isn't very similar to java, but its good to know beforehand because it is much easier and teachers the basic principles of programming.</p>
<p>It is actually required at my high school to take a year of C++ before taking AP Java. I found that the programming experience was really helpful in learning Java at the quick pace the AP course goes.</p>
<p>The pace really isn't that quick. It doesn't take long to learn Java, but it does take a while to become efficient with it.</p>
<p>Do I need a pre req if I already know java? Do you guys think they'll let me into AP even though I haven't taken the lower clases, but learned it on my own..?</p>
<p>Well, my school doesn't offer the class, but I can take it online. I believe the prerequisite there is Algebra II. </p>
<p>If you already know Java, just tell them that.</p>