AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) is a course that engages students in computational, analytical, and critical thinking related to computer science. CSP is beginner-friendly and explores the organization of computers and their impact on worldly innovations. The course content of AP CSP entails five big ideas: Creative Development, Data, Algorithms and Programming, Computer Systems and Networks, and the Impact of Computing. Let’s explore each and talk about strategies to maximize your AP score.
Introducing AP CSP
CSP emphasizes a key part of programming: collaboration and modular code. Creative Development stems from having a structured code base and program design, integral to creating a robust computing project. Data focuses on compression, meaning the reduction of data bits the computer uses for processing, and extraction, which could involve trend identification in addition to making connections between different variables.
Algorithms and Processing, the biggest section tested on the AP exam, consists of the development of active functions (in the form of code) and simulations to achieve a desired functionality or objective, such as outputting text on a screen or adding two numbers. This big idea also covers efficiency: learning the basics of time complexity and writing less code to achieve the desired output.
Computer Systems and Networks delves into the idea of using multiple computers to divide computing tasks, known as “distributed computing,” and covers important principles of the Internet as well. Lastly, the Impact of Computing big idea eyes the scope of our society and exposes the consequences, both positive and negative, of computing to the market and economy. While this unit might generally be seen as less technical than the others, it covers a good portion of the AP exam at around 21 to 26 percent, the second-largest section tested.
Our Approaches
In our study guide, we’ll unpack some approaches/strategies for CSP Test-Taking:
While not the flashiest strategy, the first thing you want to take care of is the CSP performance task, worth 30% of your total AP Exam score. The Performance Task is a long-form project that asks you to develop an artifact and then report on the process you used to develop it during the exam. The performance task tests your aptitude across a variety of programming metrics, testing ideas, and topics that require advanced problem-solving.
When initially writing your code, be mindful that it should address each part of the task submission requirements, such as retrieving user input, storing data in a list, and including at least one algorithm (sequencing, selection, and iteration). While you should try your best to include these various technical aspects in your performance task, make sure that your program does not accumulate with clutter.
Essentially, your program should be clear to all kinds of audiences, regardless of their technical level, so adding separate comments to specify functions and giving particular names to specific variables can make your code readable and understandable. With these points secure, you will be set up for 30 percent of the test and are ready to move on.
In AP CSP MCQs, applying both strategy and technical skill will be imperative to scoring well on the exam. As a test taker, if you have a solid understanding of each of the five Big Ideas that were covered earlier, you should be able to associate each multiple-choice question with one of those big ideas as an aid to solving the question. This link will be important in guiding you on the right track as you start breaking the question down.
In addition to simply linking ideas, some technical aspects of the exam should be noted. You should know different data representations, such as how to store a number in binary format or how to identify a representation given in bits. Also, you should be well-versed in computing terms and be able to identify the differences between commonly compared terms (Digital v. Analog).
Finally, our last technique in terms of tackling an MCQ seems simple but is often overlooked: reading the question properly. On the AP CSP exam, particularly, MCQs include pivotal information on the boundaries and keywords of a program. This is especially seen in the concepts of if-statement conditionals, looping, and lists. For example, some questions might have loops that start with a counter at 1 and not 0. Identifying boundaries and limits without mistake is crucial to limiting error so that you don’t get tripped up by any type of question.
Additionally, you will also need to practice understanding pseudocode, which is another strategy for MCQs. College Board has a particular syntax and uses its pseudocode when writing its MCQs, so if a student goes into the test unfamiliar with this syntax, it will be challenging to truly understand the question. Therefore, practicing concepts like loops (for, while), conditionals (if-statements), and lists/getting used to their structures can make it easier to read on the test and will help you save time. For CSP, try to allot less than 2 minutes per MCQ, with 90 seconds being optimal for conserving time and being able to answer all questions.
If you want to learn more about the syntax of questions and practice with a timer, you can head over to our platform, magnaeducation.ai, to start preparing today!
For more information on the AP CSP course and how its exam works: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-computer-science-principles-course-and-exam-description.pdf