Your Guide to the 2024 AP Computer Science A Exam
We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP CSA exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day.Unlock Cram Modefor access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions.
Format of the 2024 AP CSA Exam
Going into test day, this is the exam format to expect:
- Multiple Choice- - 40 Questions | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score- - The MCQ section will mostly be individual questions, with 1-2 sets of two questions each.- - Computational Thinking Practices 1, 2, 4, and 5 will be tested on the MCQ section.
- Free Response- - 4 Questions | 1 Hour 30 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score- - Question #1: Methods and Control Structures- - Question #2: Classes- - Question #3: Array/ Array List- - Question #4: 2D Array
When is the 2024 AP CSA Exam and How Do I Take It?
The exam is on paper, in school, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 12:00 PM local time.
How Should I prepare for the Exam?
- First, download theAP Computer Science A Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers everything you need to know at a high level. Take note of your strengths and weaknesses!
- We've put together the study plan found below to help you study between now and May. This will cover all of the units and essay types to prepare you for your exam. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.
- Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions viaCram Mode. Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.
Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment
Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.
🖥 Create a study space.
Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space.
📚 Organize your study materials.
Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!
📅 Plan designated times for studying.
The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.
🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.
How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!
AP CSA 2024 Study Plan
➕ Unit 1: Primitive Types
This unit introduces the basics of Java. Students learn the Main method, how to call different methods and variables.
📖Read these study guides:
- 1.1Why Programming? Why Java?
- 1.2Variables and Primitive Data Types
- 1.3Expressions and Assignment Statements
- 1.4Compound Assignment Operators
- 1.5Casting and Ranges of Variables🎥Watch this video:
Unit 1 Review
📱 Unit 2: Using Objects
This unit builds on the first unit by adding reference data, and new classes such as Math and String. This allows students to represent different real-world objects.
📖Read these study guides:
- 2.1Using Objects Overview
- 2.2Creating and Storing Objects (Instantiation)
- 2.3Calling a Void Method
- 2.4Calling a Void Method With Parameters
- 2.5Calling a Non-Void Method
- 2.6String Objects: Concatenation, Literals, and More
- 2.7String Methods
- 2.9Using the Math Class🎥Watch this video:
AP CSA: Unit 2 Review
🖥 Unit 3: Boolean Expressions and if Statements
This unit introduces conditional statements. Covering boolean expressions and If Statements, students learn how to use conditional statements and their syntax along with writing different boolean expressions.
📖Read these study guides:
- 3.1Boolean Expressions
- 3.2If Statements and Control Flow
- 3.3If-Else Statements
- 3.4Else-If Statements
- 3.5Compound Boolean Expressions
- 3.6Equivalent Boolean Expressions
- 3.7Comparing Objects🎥Watch this video:
AP CSA: Unit 3 Review
🕹 Unit 4: Iteration
This unit builds on writing conditional statements and introduces for and while loops. In addition, students learn standard algorithms that they will use for the rest of the course.
📖Read these study guides:
- 4.1Iteration and While Loops
- 4.2For Loops
- 4.3Developing Algorithms Using Strings
- 4.4Nested Iteration
- 4.5 Informal Code Analysis
⚙️ Unit 5: Writing Classes
This unit introduces students to writing their own reference data types or classes. This unit will be the backbone for the rest of the course.
📖Read these study guides:
- 5.1Overview and Anatomy of a Class
- 5.2Constructors
- 5.3Documentation With Comments
- 5.4Accessor Methods
- 5.5Mutator Methods
- 5.6Writing Methods
- 5.7Static Variables and Methods
- 5.8Scope and Access
- 5.9This Keyword
- 5.10Ethical and Social Implications of Computing Systems
⌚️ Unit 6: Array
This unit introduces arrays, which is a kind of data structure. This allows similar data to be stored in a different way than individual variables. In addition, students learn array standard algorithms that they will use for the rest of the course.
📖Read these study guides:
- 6.0Arrays Overview
- 6.1Array Creation and Access
- 6.2Traversing Arrays
- 6.3Enhanced For Loop for Arrays
- 6.4Developing Algorithms Using Arrays
💾 Unit 7: ArrayList
This unit builds on Arrays by introducing ArrayList which has its own unique differences from Arrays, including having a dynamic size, and has methods for changing elements.
📖Read these study guides:
- 7.1Introduction to ArrayList
- 7.2ArrayList Methods
- 7.3Traversing ArrayLists
- 7.4Developing Algorithms Using ArrayLists
- 7.5Searching
- 7.6Sorting
- 7.7Ethical Issues Around Data Collection
💻 Unit 8: 2D Array
This unit introduces 2 Dimensional Arrays and different standard algorithms that they will use for the rest of the course**.**
📖Read these study guides:
- 8.0Overview
- 8.12D Arrays
- 8.2Traversing 2D Arrays
🖲 Unit 9: Inheritance
This unit covers how to create a class hierarchy with super and subclasses. In addition, inheritance is covered which shows what methods and behaviors are shared to other classes.
📖Read these study guides:
- 9.0Overview of Unit 9: Inheritance
- 9.1Creating Superclasses and Subclasses
- 9.2Writing Constructors For Subclasses
- 9.3Overriding Methods
- 9.5Creating References Using Inheritance Hierarchies
- 9.6Polymorphism
- 9.7Object Superclass
🖱 Unit 10: Recursion
This unit covers recursion which are methods that call themselves.
📖Read these study guides:
- 10.0Overview
- 10.1Recursion
- 10.2Recursive Searching and Sorting
More Resources:
- Study Tips for AP Computer Science A
- Exam Reviews
