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About the Exam
The AP Computer Science Principles Exam has two sections: an end-of-course exam and the Create performance task. The end-of-course exam is a fully digital exam in the Bluebook testing app, and it includes multiple-choice questions and two written-response questions that require you to demonstrate your understanding of the Create performance task. The two written-response questions will relate to code contained in a Personalized Project Reference that you’ll develop in class as part of your performance task. You’ll have access to your Personalized Project Reference while answering these questions on exam day. All responses in Bluebook will be automatically submitted at the end of the exam.
You’ll complete the Create performance task over the course of the year and submit all three performance task components—program code, video, and Personalized Project Reference—online through the AP Digital Portfolio for scoring. Both measure your proficiency in and grasp of the course content and skills, and both contribute to your final AP score on a scale of 1–5.
Reference materials, such as equations sheets and reference tables, are available for this course. Go to Reference Information for Specific AP Exams to find reference materials for AP Computer Science Principles and exam day details.
Create Performance Task
To learn more about the Create performance task and the exam, you can watch AP Videos on the Create performance task in AP Classroom. To access these videos, navigate to the Course Guide section in the left navigation pane of the AP Classroom homepage, select the Overview page, and then click on the Student Resources header to expand the list of available resources. The Create performance task videos include:
- Create Performance Task: Overview
- Create Performance Task: Guidelines
- Create Performance Task: Pacing Your Project
- Create Performance Task: Categories and Questions
3hrs
Exam Dates
AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task Due Date
Submit all three components of your AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Create performance task as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by this date.
AP Computer Science Principles Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
Exam Components
Section I: End-of-Course Multiple-Choice Exam
70 multiple-choice questions | 120 minutes | 70% of score | 4 answer options
- 57 single-select multiple-choice
- 5 single-select with reading passage about a computing innovation
- 8 multiple-select multiple-choice: select 2 answers
The AP Computer Science Principles end-of-course exam has consistent question types, weighting, and scoring guidelines every year, so you know what to expect on exam day.
Section II: Create Performance Task
30% of score
- Create performance task program code, video, and student-authored Personalized Project Reference | 9 hours in-class
- 2 written response questions | 60 minutes end-of-course exam
The second section of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam consists of a through-course Create performance task where you will develop a computer program of your choice an end-of-course written response section where you will demonstrate your understanding of your Create performance task by answering four prompts. You will be provided 9 hours of in-class time to complete your program, video, and develop a Personalized Project Reference.
On the end-of-course exam, you will respond to two questions related to the code in your Personalized Project Reference. The two questions include four distinct prompts: Written Response 1, Written Response 2(a), Written Response 2(b), and Written Response 2(c). You will have access to your Personalized Project Reference while responding to these prompts. The four categories listed below align to the four prompts.
| Prompt Category | Students should be prepared to: |
Written Response 1: Program Design, Function, and Purpose
| Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:
|
Written Response 2(a): Algorithm Development
| Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:
|
Written Response 2(b): Errors and Testing
| Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:
|
Written Response 2(c): Data and Procedural Abstraction
| Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:
|
How We Score Your Work
The Create performance task, like the end-of-course exam given in May, is scored by trained, experienced educators called AP readers.
Exam Preparation
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AP Classroom Resources
Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Videos and topic question assignments from your teacher in AP Classroom. AP Videos cover every topic and skill outlined in the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description. You can use these on your own for additional support as you prepare for your assessment task models. Sign in to access them.
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Practice on Bluebook
Download the Bluebook app and log in with your College Board account information to access test previews for the digital AP Exams.
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AP Computer Science Principles Student Handouts
Get detailed directions for completing the Create performance task.
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AP Computer Science Principles Personalized Project Reference Tip Sheet
This tip sheet will help you understand the guidelines for creating a readable Personalized Project Reference, which must be submitted as final by the deadline in the AP Digital Portfolio for access on exam day.
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AP Digital Portfolio: Student User Guide
This guide will help you navigate the AP Digital Portfolio.
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Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information
Go to AP Central to review free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring commentary from past AP Computer Science Principles exams.
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AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and the AP Program in general.
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Services for Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected]. For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.
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Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
Learn more about the AP Program’s policy on AI tools.
Credit and Placement
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