AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) is one of two AP Computer Science exams, and introduces students to software engineering and object-oriented programming using the Java programming language. It is the equivalent of an introductory college computer science course, allowing students to potentially earn college credit if they perform well on the AP CSA Exam. The AP CSA exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions in which students evaluate segments of Java code and 4 free-response questions in which students write Java code that meets required specifications and achieves expected results. This year the exam will be held on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
AP Computer Science A
Given the popularity of Computer Science majors in colleges, AP Computer Science A is almost required today for students interested in pursuing a major in computer science or computer engineering. In the past 10 years, the number of high school and middle school students taking AP CSA exams has increased nearly 900%, making it the fastest growing AP exam by far. This can lead to careers in aerospace engineering, botany, business, mathematics, physics, zoology, and more.
What do students learn in AP CSA?
Do your students want to cure cancer or tackle climate change? AP Computer Science A explores how to use, build, and work with future technologies to help answer some of today’s biggest questions, according to the College Board. AP CSA covers a wide range of topics, including the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large data sets, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, and the analysis of potential solutions. Students learn how to use the Java programming language as they explore these topics as well as important software engineering skills and best practices.
Why should students take AP CSA?
AP CSA is a great next step for students who want to learn advanced programming languages or want to pursue a career in computer science. Additionally, AP CSA gives students the opportunity to explore new concepts such as software engineering and develop computational thinking and problem-solving skills. In this course, students learn how they can use programming to pursue personal interests and see the authenticity and relevance of programming concepts.
How can students prepare for AP CSA?
Learn how to code early! Although this course is designed for students of all experience levels, learning to code early and practicing often increases a student’s confidence and success in AP CSA. Students can take our online live classes led by experts to learn how to code and strengthen their knowledge and skills in programming and computational thinking skills.
Additionally, students can explore online resources and tutorials to prepare for the AP CSA exam, such as:
Recommended Learning Path to Pass the AP CSA Exam
If your students are just starting to learn how to code and want to develop a strong foundation in programming and software engineering skills, we encourage the Coding Essentials pathway to prepare them for AP CSA.
With this pathway, students start by taking the award-winning online Accelerated Scratch course to focus on developing basic computational thinking and programming skills. There’s even a free introduction.
Students then move on to the Mobile Coding for Apps and Games course to learn how to apply these skills to mobile app development.
Then the Python for AI class exposes students to the Python programming language and solving real-world problems using one of the most popular programming languages used by software engineers and technology companies. And in the Build Your Web course, students learn the JavaScript programming language as well as HTML/CSS, which are additional programming languages and skills used in many of the websites and applications we use every day.
These courses build a strong foundation to prepare students for AP CSA, where students learn the principles of object-oriented programming and the Java programming language.
Frequently asked questions about AP Computer Science A
This webinar with Jamila Cocchiola covers all things AP Computer Science. Cocchiola is the Curriculum Development Manager at Code.org and leads the recently launched AP Computer Science A curriculum development team. He has taught Computer Science for many years, has won numerous awards for his dedication to Computer Science education for children, and before joining Code.org, he was a software engineer.
What does an A mean in AP Computer Science A?
There isn’t anything! The College Board used to offer AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science AB, and A and AB were just level indicators. AP Computer Science AB was discontinued in 2009 due to low numbers of students taking the exam, but typically includes all AP Computer Science A content in addition to more advanced topics. The name AP Computer Science A was not renamed after AP Computer Science AB was discontinued.
How hard is AP Computer Science A?
AP Computer Science A can be challenging, but not difficult. This course provides a variety of support to students in high school and even middle school to help them learn and practice the concepts to not only learn the Java programming language well but also prepare them for the AP CSA Exam.
Is AP Computer Science A for beginners?
AP Computer Science A is intended for students in grades 9-12. However, students in grades 6-8 can take AP CSA to learn Java concepts and software engineering and then take the AP CSA Exam in high school. It assumes no prior programming knowledge or experience with Java. Although this course is designed for students of all experience levels, it is recommended that students have taken at least an introductory computer science course.
Your student may also be interested in learning how to start a coding club at their high school.
Learn more about coding for teens.
Written by Jamila Cocchiola who has always been fascinated by technology and its impact on the world. Technology that emerged while he was still in high school showed him how software could be used to connect people, so he learned how to code so he could make his own! He continued his career developing software and applications before deciding to become a teacher to help students see the importance, benefits, and fun of computer science.
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