AP Computer Science Principles
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Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.
The AP Computer Science Principles Exam has two parts: the Create performance task—which you’ll complete over the course of the year and submit online for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio—and the end-of-course multiple-choice exam. Both measure your proficiency in and grasp of the course practices and content, and both contribute to your final AP score on a scale of 1–5.
MON, MAY 2, 2022, 11:59 p.m. EDT
You must submit your final AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task as final via the AP Digital Portfolio by this time.
Mon, May 9, 2022,
12 PM Local
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
12hrs 30% of Score
For this part of the exam, you’ll develop a computer program of your choice: one that solves a problem, enables an innovation, or helps you express personal interests.
You’ll be given a minimum of 12 hours of in-class time to complete the task. You’ll submit these items through the AP Digital Portfolio application for scoring:
2hrs 70 multiple-choice questions, 4 answer options, 70% of Score
The end-of-course multiple-choice exam is a paper-and-pencil written exam. It contains three types of multiple-choice questions:
The Create performance task, like the end-of-course exam given in May, is scored by College Board. The scoring is done by trained, experienced educators called AP Readers.
AP Computer Science Principles Student Handouts
Get detailed directions for completing the Create Performance Task and access the AP CSP Exam Reference Sheet.
AP Computer Science Principles Exam Reference Sheet
This reference sheet is distributed to students for use during the end-of-course exam. It contains both block-based and text-based programming constructs and establishes a common way to communicate programming concepts.
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Scoring Guidelines
Review the scoring guidelines that the AP Program uses to score the Create performance task.
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses A (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses A (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses B (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses B (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses C (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses C (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses D (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses D (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses E (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses E (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses F (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses F (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses H (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses H (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses I (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses I (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses J (Written)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Sample Responses J (Video)
2021 AP Computer Science Principles Score Distributions
AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task Student Samples and Scoring Guidelines Archive
Review student samples and scoring commentary for the Create Performance Task.
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