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AP Computer Science Principles Score Calculator

How Do I Use This AP® Computer Science Principles Score Calculator? 

Just put an approximation of what you think you’ll get on each section into the AP csp score calculator above (aka, how many questions you expect to get right for the MCQ and FRQ). Once you press the button, the APCSP Score Calculator will calculate & then show you your projected score based on what you entered. This can help you plan out the approximate number of minimum/max amount of questions you can miss to get still the 5 that you want! 

How Accurate Is This AP Computer Science Principles Calculator?

Pretty accurate! This AP CSP calculator based on the CED & previous years’ point breakdowns released by the College Board. 

So, the weights of each question and the composite raw score are very accurate. Your final score, between 1-5, is calculated based on previous years’ exam curves. Remember, NO AP Computer Science Principles score calculator can predict your exact score because the College Board does not release official cut points, but our AP csp calculator can give you a pretty good idea of what the benchmarks are for your AP Computer Science Principles score approximately. 

What are the scoring guidelines for the AP Computer Science Principles exam?

The AP Computer Sci Principles exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section and a written response question in relation to your creation task submitted before the exam. 

Section I is the multiple-choice section, and consists of 70 questions (57 single-select, 5 single select accompanied by a passage, 8 multiple answer) worth 70% of your final score and will take you 2 hours to complete. 

Section II has four questions about your code from your create task, which you should have submitted before the exam along with the video of it running, a pdf of the code, and snippets of it that meet certain criteria (such as one that has a loop, a function, etc). Section II is worth 30% of your final score and will take you 60 minutes, while the actual create task should have taken you at least 9 hours to complete in class.

These questions will be able the program design, function, and purpose, algorithm development, errors and testing, and data and procedural abstraction. For more information about what each of these questions will want from you, check out the AP Computer Science Exam on the College Board. 

How long is the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?

Section I is 2 hours, and Section II is 1 hour, with a total time of 3 hours (without breaks). 

What is a good AP Computer Science Principles Exam score? 

Earning a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam demonstrates to colleges that you have a great understanding of the material and typically makes you eligible to skip college-level courses.

If you got a score of a 4 or 5, great work! 

The AP Computer Science Principles pass rate, like for all exams, is a score of 3. It is the mid-range of scores, showing that you have a moderate understanding of the course, and can be worth college credit, depending on your college. To see if your college will accept your score, check the AP Credit Policy

What percent is a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?

The AP Computer Science Principles grading scale, like all AP exams, is scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1s and 2s not earning college credit, 3s possibly getting credit, and 4s and 5s earning college credit. 

These scores vary year from year, so make sure to look at the AP Score Distributions for the most up-to-date information. Collegeboard does not publish the official cutoffs, so your best bet is to do as many AP practice exams as possible & make sure to focus extra on the most highly weighted questions.

What were last year’s AP Computer Science Principles Scores?

Here is the 2024 AP Computer Science Principles Score distribution: 

11% of students got a 5, 21% got a 4, 33% got a 3, 21% got a 2, and14% got a 1. 

While these AP Computer Science Principles scores are not too different from last year, they still vary due to the difference in exam difficulty and student preparation. The same will be true for next year!

Does the AP Computer Science Principles Exam Have a Curve?

Yes, like all AP exams, the AP Computer Science Principles exam is curved each year to ensure fairness between the administration of exams and difficulty. 

This curve varies from year to year, depending on student performance and exam difficulty. For this AP Computer Science Principles score calculator, we take the previous curves into account to approximate your final score as accurately as possible.

Is AP Computer Science Principles Hard?

The AP Computer Science Principles class and exam is considered to be one of the easier ones compared to the others, a great class even for freshman and sophomores. 

The difficulty of the AP CSP exam, like many AP courses, depends on various factors such as your familiarity with programming and your ability to handle rigorous, college-level coursework

The AP Computer Science Principles exam requires students to understand basic computing concepts, like loops, algorithms, functions, etc along with how the internet works. The majority of the exam is split between the technicalities of coding and then questions about internet function.

The most difficult part of the AP CSP exam is the task of creating, and I say that because it is the most time-consuming. You will need to work on it for 9 hours and know how it works front and back as Section II will ask you questions about the code. 

Pro tip! Start working on your project early in the year, as there tends to be difficulty uploading your project to the College Board once the deadlines approach and everyone tries to get it in!

Overall, students that took the 2024 AP Computer Science Principles Exam had a pass rate of 65% (a score over a 3), which is pretty good! 

How can I get a 5 on AP Computer Science Principles?

To score a 5 on the AP CSP exam, you definitely need to know how to apply and connect computing concepts to different scenarios; that will be a huge help. You also need to be prepared to do a lot of critical thinking, as a significant portion of the exam requires you to analyze and synthesize information.

You will also need to be familiar with the format of the multiple-choice questions and understand the nuances they contain. Take numerous AP Computer Science Principles practice tests; you need all the preparation you can get.

When you're studying, remember that practicing and reviewing must go hand in hand to get you that 5. Study each computing topic and spend at least a week reviewing all the major concepts, practices, and key terms the AP Computer Science Principles exam will cover. You need to become a master at these concepts; start with the basics and build your way up.

Make sure you understand the following computing concepts and the components within them:

  • Creative Development: including designing and iterating on computing innovations.

  • Data: including how data is collected, stored, analyzed, and visualized.

  • Algorithms and Programming: including problem-solving through programming, developing algorithms, and understanding abstraction.

  • Computer Systems and Networks: including how the internet works, cybersecurity, and the impacts of networks.

  • Impact of Computing: including how computing affects society, economy, and culture.

By thoroughly understanding these computing concepts and taking a ton of AP Computer Science Principles practice tests as well as applying them in different contexts, you can be well-prepared for the AP Computer Science Principles exam. With consistent study habits and a solid grasp of computing principles, achieving a 5 on this exam is definitely within reach.

The right resources also matter when it comes to studying. Here are some free resources that have been recommended by AP Computer Science Principles teachers and students:

When Do AP Computer Science Principles Scores Come Out?

The exact date for the release of your AP Computer Science Principles scores varies from year to year, but it is typically early to mid-July after your AP Computer Science Principles exam. 

In 2024, it fell on July 8th, a Monday, so it is likely that next year it will also be released on a Monday, which will fall on July 7th. But for the most up to date information, make sure to check the College Board for official updates.


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AP Computer Science Principles Score Calculator

How Do I Use This AP® Computer Science Principles Score Calculator? 

Just put an approximation of what you think you’ll get on each section into the AP csp score calculator above (aka, how many questions you expect to get right for the MCQ and FRQ). Once you press the button, the APCSP Score Calculator will calculate & then show you your projected score based on what you entered. This can help you plan out the approximate number of minimum/max amount of questions you can miss to get still the 5 that you want! 

How Accurate Is This AP Computer Science Principles Calculator?

Pretty accurate! This AP CSP calculator based on the CED & previous years’ point breakdowns released by the College Board. 

So, the weights of each question and the composite raw score are very accurate. Your final score, between 1-5, is calculated based on previous years’ exam curves. Remember, NO AP Computer Science Principles score calculator can predict your exact score because the College Board does not release official cut points, but our AP csp calculator can give you a pretty good idea of what the benchmarks are for your AP Computer Science Principles score approximately. 

What are the scoring guidelines for the AP Computer Science Principles exam?

The AP Computer Sci Principles exam consists of two parts: a multiple-choice section and a written response question in relation to your creation task submitted before the exam. 

Section I is the multiple-choice section, and consists of 70 questions (57 single-select, 5 single select accompanied by a passage, 8 multiple answer) worth 70% of your final score and will take you 2 hours to complete. 

Section II has four questions about your code from your create task, which you should have submitted before the exam along with the video of it running, a pdf of the code, and snippets of it that meet certain criteria (such as one that has a loop, a function, etc). Section II is worth 30% of your final score and will take you 60 minutes, while the actual create task should have taken you at least 9 hours to complete in class.

These questions will be able the program design, function, and purpose, algorithm development, errors and testing, and data and procedural abstraction. For more information about what each of these questions will want from you, check out the AP Computer Science Exam on the College Board. 

How long is the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?

Section I is 2 hours, and Section II is 1 hour, with a total time of 3 hours (without breaks). 

What is a good AP Computer Science Principles Exam score? 

Earning a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam demonstrates to colleges that you have a great understanding of the material and typically makes you eligible to skip college-level courses.

If you got a score of a 4 or 5, great work! 

The AP Computer Science Principles pass rate, like for all exams, is a score of 3. It is the mid-range of scores, showing that you have a moderate understanding of the course, and can be worth college credit, depending on your college. To see if your college will accept your score, check the AP Credit Policy

What percent is a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?

The AP Computer Science Principles grading scale, like all AP exams, is scored on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1s and 2s not earning college credit, 3s possibly getting credit, and 4s and 5s earning college credit. 

These scores vary year from year, so make sure to look at the AP Score Distributions for the most up-to-date information. Collegeboard does not publish the official cutoffs, so your best bet is to do as many AP practice exams as possible & make sure to focus extra on the most highly weighted questions.

What were last year’s AP Computer Science Principles Scores?

Here is the 2024 AP Computer Science Principles Score distribution: 

11% of students got a 5, 21% got a 4, 33% got a 3, 21% got a 2, and14% got a 1. 

While these AP Computer Science Principles scores are not too different from last year, they still vary due to the difference in exam difficulty and student preparation. The same will be true for next year!

Does the AP Computer Science Principles Exam Have a Curve?

Yes, like all AP exams, the AP Computer Science Principles exam is curved each year to ensure fairness between the administration of exams and difficulty. 

This curve varies from year to year, depending on student performance and exam difficulty. For this AP Computer Science Principles score calculator, we take the previous curves into account to approximate your final score as accurately as possible.

Is AP Computer Science Principles Hard?

The AP Computer Science Principles class and exam is considered to be one of the easier ones compared to the others, a great class even for freshman and sophomores. 

The difficulty of the AP CSP exam, like many AP courses, depends on various factors such as your familiarity with programming and your ability to handle rigorous, college-level coursework

The AP Computer Science Principles exam requires students to understand basic computing concepts, like loops, algorithms, functions, etc along with how the internet works. The majority of the exam is split between the technicalities of coding and then questions about internet function.

The most difficult part of the AP CSP exam is the task of creating, and I say that because it is the most time-consuming. You will need to work on it for 9 hours and know how it works front and back as Section II will ask you questions about the code. 

Pro tip! Start working on your project early in the year, as there tends to be difficulty uploading your project to the College Board once the deadlines approach and everyone tries to get it in!

Overall, students that took the 2024 AP Computer Science Principles Exam had a pass rate of 65% (a score over a 3), which is pretty good! 

How can I get a 5 on AP Computer Science Principles?

To score a 5 on the AP CSP exam, you definitely need to know how to apply and connect computing concepts to different scenarios; that will be a huge help. You also need to be prepared to do a lot of critical thinking, as a significant portion of the exam requires you to analyze and synthesize information.

You will also need to be familiar with the format of the multiple-choice questions and understand the nuances they contain. Take numerous AP Computer Science Principles practice tests; you need all the preparation you can get.

When you're studying, remember that practicing and reviewing must go hand in hand to get you that 5. Study each computing topic and spend at least a week reviewing all the major concepts, practices, and key terms the AP Computer Science Principles exam will cover. You need to become a master at these concepts; start with the basics and build your way up.

Make sure you understand the following computing concepts and the components within them:

  • Creative Development: including designing and iterating on computing innovations.

  • Data: including how data is collected, stored, analyzed, and visualized.

  • Algorithms and Programming: including problem-solving through programming, developing algorithms, and understanding abstraction.

  • Computer Systems and Networks: including how the internet works, cybersecurity, and the impacts of networks.

  • Impact of Computing: including how computing affects society, economy, and culture.

By thoroughly understanding these computing concepts and taking a ton of AP Computer Science Principles practice tests as well as applying them in different contexts, you can be well-prepared for the AP Computer Science Principles exam. With consistent study habits and a solid grasp of computing principles, achieving a 5 on this exam is definitely within reach.

The right resources also matter when it comes to studying. Here are some free resources that have been recommended by AP Computer Science Principles teachers and students:

When Do AP Computer Science Principles Scores Come Out?

The exact date for the release of your AP Computer Science Principles scores varies from year to year, but it is typically early to mid-July after your AP Computer Science Principles exam. 

In 2024, it fell on July 8th, a Monday, so it is likely that next year it will also be released on a Monday, which will fall on July 7th. But for the most up to date information, make sure to check the College Board for official updates.