Last Updated: January 9, 2025
The AP Computer Science A exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and free response questions. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.
The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.
Instructions
Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score.
Section 1: Multiple Choice
Free Response Question 1
Free Response Question 2
Free Response Question 3
Free Response Question 4
PREDICTED AP® SCORE
0 | Score range: 1 - 5
SECTION SCORES
Multiple Choice Score
0 / 40
Free Response Score
0 / 40
Combined Composite Score
0 / 80
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The AP Computer Science A exam is divided into two main sections:
| Section | Question Type | Time | Questions | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1 | Multiple Choice | 1 hour 30 minutes | 40 questions | 50% |
| Section 2 | Free Response | 1 hour 30 minutes | 4 questions | 50% |
Total exam time: 3 hours
Section 1: Multiple Choice
40 questions testing computational thinking practices
Mostly individual questions with 1-2 question sets
Tests understanding of code logic, algorithms, and programming concepts
Section 2: Free Response
Question 1: Methods and Control Structures - Writing code to create objects and implement methods
Question 2: Classes - Creating new classes and implementing required methods
Question 3: Array/ArrayList - Working with 1D arrays and ArrayLists
Question 4: 2D Array - Manipulating and traversing 2D arrays
The AP Computer Science A exam uses a balanced scoring system where both sections contribute equally to your final score. The multiple-choice section accounts for 50% of your score, and the free-response section makes up the other 50%.
Your raw scores from each section are converted into a composite score out of 76 points, which is then converted to the final AP score of 1-5. The distribution of scores from the most recent exam was:
| AP Computer Science A Score | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| 5 | 25.6% |
| 4 | 21.4% |
| 3 | 20.1% |
| 2 | 10.8% |
| 1 | 22.0% |
A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though many top colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. For college admissions purposes, a 4 or 5 is considered a strong score.
To earn a high score (4 or 5), students typically need to demonstrate:
Strong understanding of Java programming concepts
Ability to write efficient and correct code
Skills in implementing algorithms and data structures
Clear code organization and documentation
Application of object-oriented programming principles
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