Exam Content

The exam covers fundamentals of object-oriented programming in Java typically taught in a first-semester college course. Both sections of the exam require students to demonstrate their ability to design, write, analyze, and document programs and subprograms. The exam emphasizes programming in Java, programming methodology (including recursion), and procedural abstraction. It also includes algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction.

Programming Language

Java is used for the sections of the exam that require reading and writing of actual programs.

Starting in the 2014-15 school year, the GridWorld case study has been replaced by a required lab component consisting of a minimum of 20 hours of hands-on lab experiences.

– Download the following Three new AP Computer Science A labs as exemplars to support the implementation of at least 20 hours of hands-on lab work in the classroom.

ap-compscia-magpie-lab-student-guide

ap-compscia-picture-lab-student-guide

ap-compscia-elevens-lab-student-guide

– Teachers have the flexibility to modify and implement these new labs according to the needs of their students and to use other, comparable labs and resources to meet the 20-hour lab requirement.

– The 2015 AP Computer Science A Exam will not have specific questions that focus on the new AP Computer Science A labs and will continue to assess the concepts and skills outlined in the Course Description. In addition, there will no longer be any GridWorld case study questions.

– Teachers with previously authorized courses will not be required to revise and resubmit syllabi.

For more information download the revised ap-computer-science-a-course-description-2014 , which includes the update to the curricular requirement along with a description of the characteristics of an AP-level computer science lab component.