AP Computer Science Principles Exam Guide 2023

Are you struggling with understanding the concepts of computer science? Do you find programming, data analysis, and algorithms challenging?

The difficulty rating out of the course by past students is 4.4 out of 10. The pass rate for the year 2022, for the AP CSP Exam was 63.5%. And the mean score obtained by students out of 5 was 2.92 in 2022.

This blog lists the advantages of taking and passing the AP Computer Science Principles exam, including a brief description of the test, lists some beneficial tips to assist students to prepare for the exams.

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AP Computer Science Principles vs. AP Computer Science A 

The AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) and AP Computer Science A (CSA) are two advanced placement courses offered by the College Board in computer science. While both courses focus on programming and computer science concepts, there are some key differences between the two:

Aspects	AP CSP	AP CSA
Course Content	A broad introduction to computer science which involves problem-solving and object-oriented programming	A more-in depth course focused on programming and software including algorithms
Topics Covered	Computing innovations, programming, data analysis, and the impact of computing	Data structures, algorithms, and software design principles, Java programming language
Coding	Emphasizes coding, but not as heavily as AP CSA	Emphasizes coding, requires students to write significant amounts of code
Computational Thinking	Emphasizes computational thinking skills	Emphasizes computer thinking but to a lesser extent than AP CSP
Exam Format	Multiple choice questions and performance tasks	Multiple-choice questions and free-response
Programming Language	No specific programming language	Emphasizes Java programming
Goal	Broadening participation in computer science and other STEM fields by exposure to multiple aspects of computing	Develop skills for future study or a career in computer science or other STEM fields

In summary, AP CSP is a more general introduction to computer science, with a broader range of topics covered, and a focus on computational thinking skills.

AP CSA, on the other hand, is a more technical course focused on programming and software development, with a heavier emphasis on coding, the Java programming language, and preparing students for careers in computer science or software development

AP Computer Science Principles exam format

The College Board’s standardized test, the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) exam, gauges students’ knowledge of the fundamental concepts in computer science.

The purpose of the test is to evaluate students’ capacity for a critical study of the impact of computing and technology as well as problem-solving using computational thinking.

Exam Section	No. of question	Type of question	Time allocated
Multiple-choice questions	70 questions	Single-select (57 questions) – Single-select with a reading passage about a computing innovation (5 questions) – Multiple-select (8 questions)	2 hrs
Performance Task	2 tasks	Explore and create a task	12 hrs total outside the test time

Source: College Board

The performance task section requires students to complete two tasks:

• Explore task
• Create task

The Explore task asks students to analyze and evaluate a computing innovation, while the create task requires students to design, implement, and test a computer program to solve a real-world problem. In the Create task, students are required to submit their code and a written response to prompts provided in the performance task section.

Overall, the AP CSP exam is designed to assess students’ understanding of the fundamental concepts of computer science and their ability to apply those concepts to solve real-world problems.

Scoring system and score distribution

The AP CSP test has two parts: multiple-choice and free-response. The multiple-choice section consists of 70 questions in total, with each question worth one point. The performance task section consists of 2 tasks in total.

The scores from both sections are added together to get a composite score, which is then adjusted and converted to a score between 1 to 5.

The distribution of scores in AP CSP has undergone some changes over the last ten years.

AP Computer Science A Score Distribution Chart gives a clear picture of how the student scores have changed over the years along with the passing rate and difficulty of the subject. The percentage of students who score 5 was 11.38% in 2022 for the AP Computer Science A exam.

Average score and passing rate for previous years

The average score and pass percentage for the AP CSP exam may differ each year, but the following graphs present the mean score and pass score trends of AP CSP for the past 10 years (2013-2022), in comparison to other AP exams.

The pass rate for the year 2022, for the AP CSP Exam was 63.5%. And the mean score obtained by students out of 5 was 2.92 in 2022.

It’s essential to understand that the passing rate for the AP CSP exam is based on the percentage of scores that receive a score of 3 or higher which are generally deemed passing grades for college credit or advanced placement.

Percentage of students who scored 5

Scoring a 5 in your AP Computer Science Principles can be very beneficial for your academics as it can get you into Ivy League schools like Northwestern University, Stanford University, etc.

The graph given below has charted out the percentage of students who scored 5 in AP CSP over the past 10 years.

AP CSP score distributions 

Scores for the AP Computer Science Principles test range from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the best possible result. Each score represents a range of performance levels that represent a student’s proficiency with the knowledge and abilities covered in the course.

The College Board employs a procedure known as “equating” to make sure that test difficulty has no bearing on the scoring and that results are consistent from year to year. In this method, the performance of students who took the test this year is compared to the performance of students who took the exam last year.

Exam	5	4	3	2	1
AP CSP	11.4%	21.0%	31.1%	19.9%	16.6%

The AP Computer Science Principles test was taken in 2022 by a little over 137,000 students. Exam results for 2022 show a strong passing rate (score of 3 or higher), but a challenging mastering rate. While 68.6% of students who took the tests earned a 3 or above, just 11.4% among them scored a perfect 5, with 31.1% receiving a 3.

When is the AP Computer Science Principles exam in 2023?

The AP Computer Science Principles exam 2023 will be held on Monday, May 8 at 12:00 pm (local time).

Every year, in May, the AP Computer Science Principles test is routinely given. It’s crucial to remember that exam dates and times might change based on where and how the exam is administered.

For the most recent information on exam dates and registration deadlines, students can check with their institution or the College Board website.

Is AP Computer Science Principles Hard? 

Is AP Computer Science Principles Hard? Yes, AP Chemistry has consistently been ranked as one of the hardest AP classes.

According to a survey done, class alumnae gave AP Chemistry a rating of 7.3/10 for overall difficulty, making it the 4th most difficult AP course (while AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, AP English Literature, and AP Physics C Mechanics being the top three).

In 2022, AP Chemistry had a pass rate of 54% which is slightly lower than other AP courses. If you have a strong base in Chemistry and Algebra 2, then AP Chemistry class might seem a little less intimidating.

Despite being one of the hardest AP classes, AP Chemistry was still opted by 124,780 students in 2022 as it is one of the preferred AP courses of many competitive colleges/universities.

Many students find the multiple-choice section of the exam to be challenging due to the broad range of topics covered and the various question formats used. However, with proper preparation and study, students can build a solid understanding of the key concepts and skills needed to succeed in this section.

Students who are new to computer science can also take the course and succeed on the exam with dedicated study and preparation.

How to prepare for the AP CSA exam?

Preparing for the AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) exam requires students to have a solid understanding of the foundational concepts and computational thinking practices in computer science. Here are some tips to help students prepare for the AP CSP exam:

1. Understand the course content: As mentioned earlier, it is crucial to understand the course content to prepare for the exam. Ensure that you have a strong grasp of programming principles, computer systems and networks, data analysis, and the impact of computing on society.
2. Begin evaluating your abilities: Assess your coding and computational thinking skills early on to identify areas that need improvement. This will help you tailor your study plan accordingly.
3. Learn the principles: The exam includes multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of computing concepts and theory. Review the course material and practice with sample questions to improve your understanding of these concepts.
4. Work on multiple-choice exercises: Practice answering multiple-choice questions regularly to become comfortable with the exam format and types of questions. Use online resources and practice exams to get a sense of the questions you might encounter.
5. Polish your performance task: The performance tasks on the exam are graded based on specific rubrics, which you can find on the College Board website. Review these rubrics and practice coding and refining your projects accordingly.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice: Consistent practice is essential to prepare for the AP CSP exam. Practice coding regularly and solve practice problems to build your skills and confidence.
7. Optimize your time management: Create a study plan and manage your time effectively to cover all the necessary course material before the exam. Additionally, ensure that you use your time efficiently during the exam by reading instructions carefully, managing your time on each section, and not getting stuck on challenging questions.
8. Stay motivated: Lastly, maintain a positive attitude and stay motivated throughout your preparation. Set achievable goals, take regular breaks, and stay focused on your long-term objectives.

Overall, preparing for the AP Computer Science Principles exam requires a combination of understanding the course content and developing strong test-taking strategies. With proper preparation and study, students can succeed on the exam and earn college credit or advanced placement in a computer science course in college.

Conclusion

Compared to other AP courses like AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry, AP CSP is typically considered to be a relatively easy AP course. With rigorous practice sessions and focused learning, anyone can achieve great scores in this subject and get good college credits.

The course covers a wide range of topics, including problem-solving, data analysis, algorithms, programming, and the societal impacts of computing. By engaging in hands-on projects and collaborative activities, students gain valuable insights into the power of computing and its relevance in today’s world. The AP Computer Science Principles exam consists of two main components: the Create Performance Task and the Explore Performance Task.

In 2022, the passing rate for AP CSP was 63.5%, higher than the average for other AP exams. The mean score for AP CSP in 2022 was 2.9, indicating that students tend to perform well on this exam compared to the average AP exam.

By utilizing the information and resources in this blog, you can develop a solid study plan and confidently approach the exam.

Need help learning AP Computer Science Principles? Find an expert 1-on-1 online AP Computer Science Principles tutor from Wiingy and give your grades a boost!

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

References

1. https://blog.collegevine.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-new-computer-science-principles-ap-exam-performance-tasks/
2. https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/ap-computer-science-principles-exam
3. https://www.codewizardshq.com/ap-computer-science-exam-review/
4. https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions