AP Computer Science Principles

The AP Computer Science Principles Exam assesses student understanding of the computational thinking practices and learning objectives outlined in the course framework. The AP Exam consists of the Create performance task and an end-of-course exam. For more information, download the AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description (CED).

Encourage your students to visit the AP Computer Science Principles student page for exam information.

Assessment Dates

Wed, Apr 30, 2025

Performance Task Submission Deadline

This is the deadline for students to complete all required components of the Create performance task and submit as final in the AP Digital Portfolio.

Thu, May 15, 2025

AP Computer Science Principles End-of-Course Exam

Given the implications of ChatGPT and other similar generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the Create performance task, changes were made to the Create performance task in 2023-24, which will continue to apply in the 2024-25 academic year. A recording of the 2023-24 Create Performance Task Updates webinar is available on the Overview page of the Course Guide section in AP Classroom, under Teacher Resources.

AP Computer Science Principles Student Handouts

Get detailed directions for completing the Create performance task.

AP Computer Science Principles Personalized Project Reference Tip Sheet

This tip sheet will help your students understand the guidelines for creating a readable Personalized Project Reference, which must be submitted as final by the deadline in the AP Digital Portfolio for access on exam day.

AP Computer Science Principles Exam Reference Sheet

This reference sheet can be used by students throughout the course to become familiar with the AP CSP content. It contains both block-based and text-based programming constructs and establishes a common way to communicate programming concepts.

AP Digital Portfolio

The AP Digital Portfolio page provides instructions on how to navigate the web-based application and review the submission status of students' Create performance task.

AP Classroom Resources

Access formative topic questions—including those to help scaffold the Create performance task written responses—summative practice questions, and AP Daily videos on each course topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, digital portfolio, Create performance task, plagiarism and AI, AP Course Audit, and more.

Exam Format

The AP Computer Science Principles end-of-course exam has consistent question types and weighting every year, so you and your students know what to expect on exam day.

Section I: End-of-Course Multiple-Choice Exam
70 multiple-choice questions | 120 minutes | 70% of score | 4 answer options

• 57 single-select multiple-choice
• 5 single-select with reading passage about a computing innovation
• 8 multiple-select multiple-choice: select 2 answers

Section II: Create Performance Task and Written Response
30% of score

• Create performance task program code, video, and Personalized Project Reference | 9 hours in-class
• 2 written response questions | 60-minute end-of-course exam

The second section of the AP Computer Science Principles Exam consists of a through-course Create performance task where students will develop a computer program of their choice and an end-of-course written response section where students demonstrate their understanding of their personal Create performance task by answering two questions. Students will be provided 9 hours of in-class time to complete their program, record a video of their program running, and develop a Personalized Project Reference.

On the end-of-course exam, students will respond to two questions related to the code in their Personalized Project Reference. The two questions include four distinct prompts: Written Response 1, Written Response 2(a), Written Response 2(b), and Written Response 2(c). Students will have access to their Personalized Project Reference while responding to these prompts. The four categories listed below align to the four prompts.

Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:

• CRD-2.A: Describe the purpose of a computing innovation.
• CRD-2.B: Explain how a program or code segment functions.
• CRD-2.C: Identify input(s) to a program.
• CRD-2.D: Identify output(s) produced by a program.
• CRD-2.E: Develop a program using a development process.
• CRD-2.F: Design a program and its user interface.
• CRD-2.G: Describe the purpose of a code segment or program by writing documentation.

Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:

• CRD-2.B: Explain how a program or code segment functions.
• AAP-2.E.b: Evaluate expressions that use relational operators.
• AAP-2.F.b: Evaluate expressions that use logic operators.
• AAP-2.H.b: Determine the result of conditional statements.
• AAP-2.J: Express an algorithm that uses iteration without using a programming language.
• AAP-2.K.b: Determine the result or side effect of iteration statements.
• AAP-2.L: Compare multiple algorithms to determine if they yield the same side effect or result.
• AAP-2.M.a: Create algorithms.
• AAP-2.M.b: Combine and modify existing algorithms.

Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:

• CRD-2.I.a: Identify the error.
• CRD-2.I.b: Correct the error.
• CRD-2.J: Identify inputs and corresponding expected outputs or behaviors that can be used to check the correctness of an algorithm or program.

Students should be prepared to respond to prompts about their program that assess any of the following learning objectives:

• AAP-1.D.a: Develop data abstraction using lists to store multiple elements.
• AAP-1.D.b: Explain how the use of data abstraction manages complexity in program code.
• AAP-2.O.a: Write iteration statements to traverse a list.
• AAP-2.O.b: Determine the result of an algorithm that includes list traversals.
• AAP-3.B: Explain how the use of procedural abstraction manages complexity in a program.