AP Computer Science Principles
Learn all about the course and exam.
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About the Assessment
The AP Computer Science Principles assessment has two parts: two performance tasks—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 AP Exam. All measure your proficiency in and grasp of the course practices and content, and all contribute to your final AP score on a scale of 1–5.
Assessment Dates
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Thu, Apr 30, 2020,
11:59 PM ETAP Computer Science Principles Performance Tasks Due Date
You must submit your final AP Computer Science Principles performance tasks via the AP Digital Portfolio by this time.
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Fri, May 15, 2020,
8 AM LocalAP Computer Science Principles Exam
This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Computer Science Principles Exam.
Assessment Components
Performance Task 1: Create—Applications from Ideas
12hrs 24% of Score
For this part of the assessment, 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 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
Performance Task 2: Explore—Impact of Computing Innovations
8hrs 16% of Score
For this part of the assessment, you’ll identify a computing innovation, explore its impact, and create a related digital artifact.
You’ll be given a minimum of 8 hours of class time to complete the task. You’ll submit these items through the AP Digital Portfolio application for scoring:
- A computational artifact (for example, digital art, a video, a presentation, a program)
- Individual written responses about your exploration and artifact
End-of-Course Exam
~74 multiple-choice questions 2hrs 60% of Score
The end-of-course AP Exam is a paper-and-pencil written exam. It contains two types of multiple-choice questions:
- Single-select multiple-choice: You select 1 answer from among 4 options
- Multiple-select multiple-choice: You select 2 answers from among 4 options
How We Score Your Work
The two performance tasks, like the end-of-course exam given in May, are scored by the College Board. The scoring is done by trained, experienced educators called AP readers.
Assessment Essentials
Assessment Preparation
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Assessment Overview and Performance Task Directions for Students
Get detailed directions for completing the Create and Explore performance tasks as well as an exam reference sheet.
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Archived Performance Task Student Samples with Scoring Guidelines and Notes
Review student samples and scoring commentary for the Create and Explore performance task from 2018 and earlier.
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