Advanced Placement - Computer Science Principle

What is AP Program?

“The Advanced Placement Program® has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and earn college credit, advanced placement, or both, while still in high school. AP Exams are given each year in May. Students who earn a qualifying score on an AP Exam are typically eligible, in college, to receive credit, placement into advanced courses, or both. Every aspect of AP course and exam development is the result of collaboration between AP teachers and college faculty. They work together to develop AP courses and exams, set scoring standards, and score the exams. College faculty review every AP teacher’s course syllabus.” (Cited from AP® Computer Science Principles: Course Overview)

What is AP-CSP?

“AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this course, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.” (Cited from AP® Computer Science Principles: Course Overview)

Why take AP-CSP?

• Please refer to AP official website: 3 Reasons to Take AP Exams.
• Please also refer to AP Computer Science Principles - About.
• Please also refer to Why Take AP Computer Science Principles?.
• Some messages from selected universities.
  • University of Waterloo: Advanced Placement (AP) transfer credits
  • Simon Fraser University: SFU Undergraduate Admission - Advance Placement
  • Pennsylvania State University: AP Computer Science A Credit

Course Syllabus

AP Computer Science Principles (AP-CSP) includes a significant component of subjective or performance-based assessment, not just a standardized test. Please refer to:

• The Difference Between AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A

Unlike AP-CSA, which is assessed primarily through a multiple-choice and free-response exam, AP-CSP requires students to complete a Create Performance Task. This task is a project where students design and implement a computer program, then submit written responses and video evidence explaining their work and design choices.

The grading for this component is more subjective because it is evaluated based on rubrics, considering not just the code but also the student’s explanations, creativity, and problem-solving process.

Additionally, students are generally required to be enrolled in an authorized AP Computer Science Principles course at a participating school. This is because the performance task is administered and supervised by the school, and the teacher is responsible for guiding students through the process, verifying their work, and submitting materials to the College Board. Independent/self-study students typically cannot submit the Create Performance Task or take the AP-CSP exam unless they are affiliated with a school that offers the course and agrees to administer the tasks and exam.

Material

1. BARRON’s AP Computer Science Principles Premium
2. AP Computer Science Principles Course At A Glance
3. AP Computer Science Principles - COURSE AND EXAM DESCRIPTION