AP Computer Science Principles Resource Center

Updated on: 14 Feb 2025

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1. AP Overview 2. AP Courses 3. AP Exams 4. AP Scores 5. AP Credits 6. AP Credit Policy 7. AP Biology Credit Policy 8. AP Biology Exam 9. AP Biology Practice Tests 10. AP Calculus AB Credit Policy 11. AP Calculus AB Exam 12. AP Calculus AB Formula Sheet 13. AP Calculus AB Practice Tests 14. AP Calculus BC Credit Policy 15. AP Calculus BC Exam 16. AP Calculus BC Formula Sheet 17. AP Calculus BC Practice Tests 18. AP Chemistry Credit Policy 19. AP Chemistry Exam 20. AP Chemistry Formula Sheet 21. AP Chemistry Practice Tests 22. AP Computer Science A Credit Policy 23. AP Computer Science A Practice Tests 24. AP Computer Science Principles Practice Tests 25. AP Computer Science A Exam 26. AP Computer Science Principles Credit Policy 27. AP Computer Science Principles Exam 28. AP English Language 29. AP English Literature 30. AP Human Geography Exam 31. AP Macroeconomics Practice Tests 32. AP Microeconomics Practice Tests 33. AP Physics 1 Credit Policy 34. AP Physics 1 Exam 35. AP Physics 2 Exam 36. AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet 37. AP Physics 1 Practice Tests 38. AP Physics 2 Credit Policy 39. AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet 40. AP Physics 2 Practice Tests 41. AP Physics C E&M Formula Sheet 42. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam 43. AP Physics C Mechanics Exam 44. AP Physics C Mechanics Practice Tests 45. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Practice Tests 46. AP Physics C Mechanics Formula Sheet 47. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Credit Policy 48. AP Physics C: Mechanics Credit Policy 49. AP Psychology Exam 50. AP Statistics Exam 51. AP Statistics Practice Tests 52. AP Statistics Credit Policy 53. AP Statistics Formula Sheet 54. AP US History Practice Tests 55. AP Spanish Language 56. AP Enviornmental Science 57. AP World History Modern 58. AP US Government and Politics 59. AP US History Exam 60. AP European History Exam 61. AP Comparitive Government and Politics 62. AP Microeconomics 63. AP Macroeceonomics 64. AP PreCalculus 65. AP Course Placement 66. AP Score Report 67. AP Sending Scores 68. AP Pass Score 69. AP Exam Dates 70. AP Exam Fee 71. AP Free Response Questions 72. AP Document Based Questions 73. AP Multiple Choice Questions 74. AP Performance Task 75. AP Study Guides 76. AP Review Books 77. AP Course Syllabus 78. AP Course Audit 79. College Board 80. AP Course Ledger 81. AP Exam Fee Reductions 82. AP Pass Rate 83. AP Score Distribution 84. AP Practice Tests 85. AP Worksheets 86. AP Formula Sheets 87. AP Perfect Score 88. AP Daily Videos 89. AP Classroom 90. AP Central 91. Pre AP 92. AP Alumni Network 93. AP Capstone 94. AP Classroom Resources 95. AP Self Study Exams 96. AP Course Grades Vs AP Scores 97. AP Exam Calculator Policy 98. AP Scholar Award 99. AP Course And Exam Description 100. AP Classes 101. AP TextBooks 102. Benefits Of AP 103. AP Results 104. Dual Credits 105. Pre AP To AP Course Map 106. Digital AP Exams 107. AP Course Pairs 108. AP Lab Manuals 109. AP Daily Instructors 110. Best Sites for AP Physics Tutoring 111. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Physics Test Prep 112. Average Cost Of AP Physics Tutoring 113. Finding An AP Physics Tutor 114. Finding An AP Chemistry Tutor 115. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Chemistry Test Prep 116. Cost Of AP Chemistry Tutoring

AP Computer Science Principles is a college-level course offered by the College Board to high school students who are interested in studying Computer science at an advanced level. It was opted by 169,000 students in 2023 as it is one of the preferred AP courses.

The difficulty rating of the course by past students is 4.4 out of 10 and the pass rate for the year 2023 was 68%. AP CSP, students engage in hands-on projects, data analysis, and the creation and testing of digital artifacts, showcasing their understanding of core concepts while also honing their creative and collaborative skills.

Course Contents

Based on the Understanding by Design^® (Wiggins and McTighe) model, the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description provides a clear and detailed description of the course requirements necessary for student success. The course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course for non-CS majors. The major areas of study in the course are organized around big ideas that encompass ideas foundational to studying computer science.

The AP Computer Science Principles course framework is organized into five big ideas. As always, you have the flexibility to organize the course content as you like.

Big Idea	Details	Exam Weighting (Multiple-Choice Section)
Big Idea 1: Creative Development	You’ll learn how important collaboration is in developing programs and how to use an iterative process in your work.	10%–13%
Big Idea 2: Data	You’ll explore how computers handle data and how data can be used to produce new information and solve problems.	17%–22%
Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming	You’ll learn how to use algorithms and abstractions to create programs that solve problems or to express your own creativity.	30%–35%
Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks	You’ll explore how computer systems and networks work and how using multiple computers to divide tasks can speed up processes.	11%–15%
Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing	You’ll examine the effects computing has had on societies, economies, and cultures and consider the legal and ethical responsibilities of programmers.	21%–26%

AP Computer Science Principles Course Contents

AP Computer Science Principles Resources

AP Computer Science Principles Exam Guide

AP CSP Credit Policy

AP CSP Practice Tests

Difficulty Level of AP CSP

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Shefali Sundram

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