You may have come across the AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course online or heard about it at school. But you might wonder: what is this course about? Should I take AP Computer Science Principles? There are several things to consider when deciding whether to take AP CSP, especially if you are trying to decide between AP CSP or AP Computer Science A (AP CSA). Keep reading to learn more about the course and to help you decide whether to take AP Computer Science Principles.
Should I take AP Computer Science Principles?
AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) is an introductory computer science course that introduces students to fundamental computer science concepts and analyzes the positive and negative impacts technology has on our society. Students learn how to design and evaluate solutions to a variety of problems involving technology and develop algorithms and programs. AP CSP focuses on exploring how computing innovations and systems work and exposes students to a variety of topics within computer science, such as big data, cloud computing, and the Internet.
If you're considering whether to take AP Computer Science A (AP CSA), read How to Choose the Right AP Computer Science Course to help you decide which course is right for you.
Do colleges look at AP Computer Science Principles?
Like other AP courses, taking AP CSP is an opportunity to earn college credit. Taking AP CSP and earning 3 or higher on the exam shows that you have developed the knowledge and skills expected of a student that has completed an introductory computer science course in college. Most colleges give you college credit or allow you to skip introductory courses based on your score on the AP CSP Exam. You can find out which colleges offer credit and their minimum required score using the College Board's AP Credit Policy Search tool.
What is AP Computer Science Principles good for?
AP CSP is great for exploring a variety of topics in computer science, from how the Internet works to data science to program development. You don't need any prior knowledge or experience in computer science to take the course and be successful. AP CSP introduces you to programming so you can learn the basics of planning and writing algorithms and creating programs to solve meaningful real-world problems.
Which is harder – AP Computer Science A or Principles?
AP Computer Science A (AP CSA) is a very different course from AP CSP. AP CSA focuses entirely on programming and builds on previous knowledge of software and programming to help you learn basic software engineering skills. Take a look at AP Computer Science A: The Ultimate Guide to learn more about AP CSA.
How to Take AP Computer Science Principles
If your school doesn't offer AP CSP or if you want to get a head start, you can sign up for our live online Computer Science Principles classes. Our classes are taught by experienced instructors with a small group of 2-6 students. We cover the content for the AP CSP Exam in 12 sessions, and we offer a companion Create Performance Task class to provide support for students to complete the Create component of the AP CSP Exam. This course is also great for students to take even if they are not planning to take the AP CSP Exam.
Now you know how to decide whether to take AP Computer Science Principles
If you think AP CSP is the right course for you, sign up for our Computer Science Principles classes! Since the content is covered in 12 sessions, you might also consider taking our Python for AI classes either before or at the same time as the Computer Science Principles classes to fully prepare for the course and the AP CSP Exam.
Written by Jamila Cocchiola who has always been fascinated with technology and its impact on the world. The technologies that emerged while she was in high school showed her all the ways software could be used to connect people, so she learned how to code so she could make her own! She went on to make a career out of developing software and apps before deciding to become a teacher to help students see the importance, benefits, and fun of computer science.
FAQs
Taking AP CSP and earning 3 or higher on the exam shows that you have developed the knowledge and skills expected of a student that has completed an introductory computer science course in college. Most colleges give you college credit or allow you to skip introductory courses based on your score on the AP CSP Exam.
Is it worth taking AP Computer Science Principles? ›
Is AP Computer Science Principles worth it? Like all AP classes, AP Computer Science Principles can help build your resume for college and potentially earn you college credit. In the class, you can also learn useful knowledge.
Is AP Computer Science Principles harder than AP Computer Science A? ›
The difficulty level of each course varies depending on your background, skills, and interest. Many students find AP computer science A more difficult because of its hands-on activities and narrower scope. AP computer science principles cover broad aspects of the discipline. This might be overwhelming to some learners.
Do most colleges accept AP Computer Science Principles? ›
Yes, like all other AP exams, colleges do offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles too. 1196 colleges offer college credit for AP Computer Science Principles.
What percent of students get a 5 on AP Computer Science Principles? ›
The percentage of students who score a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam tends to vary slightly each year, but usually about 15% of test-takers earn a 5.
Is 4 on AP CSP good? ›
What is a good AP® Computer Science Principles score? Earning a 3, 4, or 5 is generally accepted as scoring well on an AP® exam. As reported by the College Board, a 3 is 'qualified,' a 4 'well qualified,' and a 5 'extremely well qualified.
Is there a lot of homework for AP Computer Science Principles? ›
Most students who take AP Computer Science Principles find both the class and the AP exam to be manageable, especially when they come into the course with some level of coding knowledge. The beginning of the class can be difficult and involve a lot of homework as you learn the basics of coding.
Is AP Computer Science Principles for beginners? ›
You don't need any prior knowledge or experience in computer science to take the course and be successful. AP CSP introduces you to programming so you can learn the basics of planning and writing algorithms and creating programs to solve meaningful real-world problems.
Should I take CSA or CSP? ›
CSA is a more programming-intensive course and might be more challenging for someone with little background in programming. Given that you are a beginner and don't have much experience in programming, AP Computer Science Principles might be a better fit for you.
What AP scores does Harvard accept? ›
Harvard University
| Exam Name | Min Score Required This is the lowest qualifying score to earn credit and/or placement | # of credits |
|---|
| Sort examTitle ascending | Sort minScore | Sort numCredit |
|---|
| AP English Language and Composition | 5 | 4 |
| AP English Literature and Composition | 5 | 8 |
| AP European History | 5 | 8 |
20 more rowsWhat GPA should I have for UCLA? How many SATs and ACTS should I taking? I recommend taking 12 AP (if you want to further increase your chance i recommend 18 but make sure that you get a 5 on all the AP exams before blindly taking AP courses just for the sake of it). You should aim for a GPA of 3.9/4.0 unweighted.
What AP scores does UCLA take? ›
Credit from Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
UCLA awards college credit for AP exams with scores of three or higher. The specific credit you receive depends on the college/school your major belongs to: AP Credit for the The College. AP Credit for the School of the Arts and Architecture.
Is a 70% a 5 on the AP exam? ›
Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.
What AP exam has the lowest pass rate? ›
It's great to see you're thinking ahead and considering the difficulty of AP courses as part of your planning process. Historically, the AP exam with the lowest pass rate has often been the AP Physics 1 exam.
What is the point of AP Computer Science Principles? ›
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.
Is AP Computer Science Principles the easiest AP? ›
AP Computer Science Principles is considered very easy, with class alumnae rating it 2.8/10 for overall difficulty (the easiest class out of the 28 large AP classes surveyed). The pass rate is about average vs other AP classes, with 68% graduating with a 3 or higher.
Does AP Computer Science Principles have a lot of homework? ›
Computer Science Principles There is an effort to assign a minimal homework load. Much of the work is done in class as a series of experiences. Fall - 8 hour in-class research assignment, includes making a poster and writing 750 words on a new technology.
Does AP Computer Science Principles count as a math credit? ›
AP Computer Science Principles is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level breadth course in computer science. This course fulfills one required math credit for high school graduation.
