# AP Computer Science

## About the Test

Check out the description from [College Board](https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-a) including the [description of the test](https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-computer-science-a/about-the-exam). For the technical folks (it'll be more useful later in the year), [this is also a handy document](https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/ap/ap-computer-science-a-java-subset.pdf) about the features of Java that the test uses. As of the time of this writing, there are two sections:

1. Multiple choice: 40 questions, 90 minutes, 50% of your score
2. Free response: 4 questions, 90 minutes, 50% of your score

## Links and Resources

### Software

* [Visual Studio Code](https://codingheroes.io/resources/) (install latest JDK, then install the VS Code Java Extension Pack)
* [Google Drive](https://www.google.com/drive/download/)

### Great Books

* [**Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java**](https://www.amazon.com/Prepared-Computer-Science-Exam-Java/dp/0982477538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\&qid=1533738515\&sr=8-1\&keywords=be+prepared+for+the+ap+computer+science+exam+in+java\&dpID=51OGiqjNQKL\&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_\&dpSrc=srch)
* [**Barron's AP Computer Science A**](https://www.amazon.com/Barrons-AP-Computer-Science-8th/dp/1438009194/ref=sr_1_3?s=books\&ie=UTF8\&qid=1533738591\&sr=1-3\&keywords=ap+computer+science\&dpID=515nSg3snaL\&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_\&dpSrc=srch)

### Online Courses

* [Bill Barnum's YouTube collection](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmpmyPywZ440vPqpAPeUkE-TeKifbS45W)
* [MistaPotta's YouTube collection](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-ZKvhIgD8x0Dgl2_rnNAv1lhJoRsIfLg)
* <https://www.albert.io/ap-computer-science-a>
* <https://courses.edx.org/courses/CooperUnion/CS.1x/1T2015/course/>
* <http://www.whs.wwusd.org/page/3154>
* <https://codehs.com/info/curriculum/apjava>
* <https://www.udemy.com/ap-computer-science-a-java-programming-essentials/>

### Practice Problems

* [Official APCS walk-throughs and reviews](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoGgviqq4845xKOY11PnkE7aqJC7-bYrd)
* <http://codingbat.com/java/AP-1> (learn by doing. Loads of mini problems)
* [Runestone Academy](https://runestone.academy/runestone/books/published/apcsareview/index.html) best break-down of skills)
* <https://www.varsitytutors.com/ap_computer_science_a-practice-tests>
* <http://www.danshuster.com/apcs/java_tests.htm>
* <https://www.codestepbystep.com/>
* <https://practiceit.cs.washington.edu/>

### Java Tutorials and References

* <https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming>
* <https://codesignal.com/arcade>
* <https://www.sololearn.com/Course/Java/>
* <https://www.codecademy.com/learn/learn-java>

{% embed url="<https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-computer-science-a-course-and-exam-description.pdf>" %}


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