{"id":7682,"date":"2016-11-25t12:58:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-25t20:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/?p=7682"},"modified":"2016-12-01t12:58:31","modified_gmt":"2016-12-01t20:58:31","slug":"ap-computer-science-a-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.catharsisit.com\/hs\/college-admissions\/ap-computer-science-a-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"ap computer science a exam"},"content":{"rendered":"

note: <\/strong>this article accounts for all the changes made to the ap computer science a exam during its last revision in fall 2010. for students studying for the may 2017 exam, it is best to use study materials dated spring 2011 or later. please disregard any study materials dated 2003 or earlier, as the exam required students to use c++. since 2004, the course and exam have required students to use java.<\/em><\/p>\n

well magooshers, i\u2019m sorry to say it, but for the 44th<\/sup> consecutive year, rocker alice cooper was woefully incorrect about school being out forever<\/a>. school days are here again, and for you high school students out there, that means brand-spanking new ap classes.<\/p>\n

for a few of you, computer science a is in the cards this year. maybe you want to go on to major in computer science. or maybe you\u2019re undecided about your future, but you know you want to work with technology. no matter the reason, you\u2019ve signed up for a challenging course with many real-world applications.<\/p>\n

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people talking to computers…science fiction mumbo jumbo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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in this article i\u2019ll go over the ap computer science a exam, giving you all the essential details about what you can expect on exam day. if you get to the end and still have questions, make sure to check out the official college board website for computer science a<\/a>!<\/p>\n

how you\u2019re assessed on the exam<\/h2>\n

ap computer science a is focused on six big ideas that are comprised of many different topics. below are the big ideas and a summary of some of the topics. in no way is this list a detailed study guide, just a glimpse of what you will see in the course.<\/p>\n

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  1. object-oriented program design\n
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    1. creating a program to solve a specific problem.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    2. program implementation\n
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      1. creating reusable programs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      2. program analysis\n
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        1. testing and analyzing the usefulness of programs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
        2. standard data structures\n
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          1. how data represents information in a program.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
          2. standard algorithms\n
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            1. analyzing program efficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
            2. computing in context\n
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              1. ethical implications of computing technology.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                to be successful in ap computer science a and the exam, the college board recommends two prerequisites: a first-year algebra course and an english course. the latter is important because accurate documentation is a skill necessary to do well in the course and on the exam.<\/p>\n

                successful time management<\/h2>\n

                in this section, i will break down the length of the ap computer science a exam and offer suggestions on how to make sure you successfully finish each section of the test. first, as i always say in my act articles: take multiple timed practice tests<\/strong> to become used to the tests\u2019 format, content, and pacing. for students with a college board account<\/a>, a full-length test is available for you to take right now.<\/p>\n

                section i: multiple choice (40 questions, 75 minutes, 50% of exam score)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                first, take a look at my article on act time management<\/a>. the same basic rules apply to the ap computer science a exam\u2019s multiple-choice section. you have approximately one minute and 50 seconds to answer each question. fortunately for you, the ap computer science exam is graded the same way as the act. only correct answers count. if you\u2019re stuck on a question and one minute and 50 seconds have passed, it\u2019s time to guess and move on.<\/p>\n

                now, i understand that it\u2019s impossible to exactly time one minute and 50 seconds, especially when you have more important things to do like answer questions. there are ways to get around this. in short, check how many questions you have answered at the end of 15 minutes. if you\u2019ve answered eight questions, you\u2019re on track. any less than that and i\u2019d recommend more practice tests between now and test day to improve your time.<\/p>\n

                break (10 minutes)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                break is an important time during any ap exam. ap computer science a is a three-hour exam and you\u2019re going to need a lot<\/strong> of energy for section ii. in short, go to the bathroom, drink some water, and have a snack.<\/p>\n

                section ii: free response (4 questions, 105 minutes, 50% of exam score) <\/strong><\/p>\n

                to say the least, section ii of the ap computer science a exam asks test takers to do a lot!<\/strong> you have 25 minutes and 15 seconds for each question. here\u2019s my advice on how to best use your time.<\/p>\n