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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Fri, Apr 30, 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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Practice in AP Classroom
Enrolled in an AP course? If you’ve already joined your class section online, your teacher can assign you practice questions through AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.
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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.
Search AP Credit Policies
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