Overview of AP Computer Science Principles

  • 6 minutes

Six computational thinking practices and five big ideas are the foundation of the AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course. The course’s framework “focuses on the innovative aspects of computing and the computational thinking that helps students make connections in everyday lives.” AP® Computer Science Principles (collegeboard.org)

To better understand the course expectations, review the following pages in the AP CSP Course and Exam Description document:

If students choose to take it, the AP Exam consists of two types of assessments:

  • A multiple-choice, two-hour exam (70% of students’ grade)
  • A Create Performance Task (30% of students’ grade)

The multiple-choice exam measures students’ understanding of the big ideas.

10 to 13 percent of the exam questions cover Big Idea 1: Creative Development. 17 to 22 percent of the exam questions cover Big Idea 2: Data. 30 to 35 percent of the exam questions cover Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming. 11 to 15 percent of the exam questions cover Big Idea 4: Computer Systems and Networks. 21 to 26 percent of the exam questions cover Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing.

In the Create Performance Task (CPT), students design and implement a program that meets specific submission requirements. Educators must schedule at least 12 hours of class time for students to work on the CPT.

The course focuses on the enduring understandings, learning objectives, and essential knowledge. Students must explore these objectives multiple times in different ways to reach a deep understanding of the core concepts. The lesson plans and learning strategies are the specific experiences and instruction that you use to teach the concepts of the course.

For a deeper understanding of the course expectations, complete the scavenger hunt that explores the entire course and exam description document.