AP Computer Science Principles
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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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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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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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Written Response Template for Create Performance Task
Use the College Board Written Response Templates for Create performance tasks to facilitate accurate scoring of your work and to avoid suspicion of plagiarism.
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Written Response Template for Explore Performance Task
Use the College Board Written Response Templates for Explore performance tasks to facilitate accurate scoring of your work and to avoid suspicion of plagiarism.
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2019 AP Computer Science Principles Performance Task Scoring Guidelines
Review the scoring guidelines that the AP Program used to score the Create and Explore performance tasks.
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AP Computer Science Principles Performance Task Student Samples and Scoring Guidelines Archive
Review student samples and scoring commentary for the Create and Explore performance task from 2018 and earlier.
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AP Digital Portfolio: Student User Guide for AP Computer Science Principles
This manual contains detailed instructions, with screenshots, on how to join your AP Computer Science Principles class, how to upload and submit your work via the AP Digital Portfolio, and how to prepare for the end-of-course exam.
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