AP Computer Science Principles
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About the Exam
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.
Exam Dates
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Thu, May 20, 2021,
11:59 PM ETAP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task Due Date
You must submit your final Create AP Computer Science Principles performance task via the AP Digital Portfolio by this time.
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Thu, May 13, 2021,
8 AM LocalAP Computer Science Principles Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
Exam Components
Create Performance Task
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:
- A video of your program running
- Individual written responses about your program and development process
- Program code
End-of-Course Multiple-Choice Exam
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:
- Single-select multiple-choice: You select 1 answer from 4 options
- Single-select with reading passage about a computing innovation: You select 1 answer from 4 options.
- Multiple-select multiple-choice: You select 2 answers from 4 options
How We Score Your Work
The Create performance task, like the end-of-course exam given in May, is scored by the College Board. The scoring is done by trained, experienced educators called AP Readers.
Exam Preparation
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AP Computer Science Principles Student Handouts
Get detailed directions for completing the Create performance task and access the AP CSP Exam Reference Sheet.
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2021 AP Computer Science Principles Create Performance Task Scoring Guidelines
Review the scoring guidelines that the AP Program uses to score the Create performance task.
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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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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.
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