AP Computer Science A

Topics may include:

• Primitive data types including int, double, and Boolean
• Evaluating arithmetic expressions in program code
• Using assignment operators to produce a value
• How variables and operators are sequenced and combined in an expression to create a result

On The Exam

2.5%–5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Objects and classes as ways to describe instances, attributes, and behaviors
• Creating objects by calling constructors with and without parameters
• Utilizing class libraries, including Integer and Double
• Defining an object’s behavior using methods, including static and Math class
• Calling non-static void methods with and without parameters
• Using String objects and methods
• Using application program interfaces (APIs) and libraries

On The Exam

5%–7.5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Finding Boolean values with expressions involving relational operators
• Using conditional statements to execute different statements based on input values
• Building on conditional statements to create multiple possible outcomes
• Creating the same value using equivalent Boolean expressions
• Referencing objects with aliases

On The Exam

15%–17.5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Creating a loop to run an expression repeatedly until certain conditions are met
• Standard arithmetic-based and String algorithms
• Representing iterative processes in code using for and while loops
• Nesting loop and iteration statements

On The Exam

17.5%–22.5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• The makeup of a class, including whether attributes are public or private
• Setting an object’s attributes using constructors
• Using comments to describe the functionality of code
• Defining behaviors of an object using non-void, void, and static methods
• Where variables can be used in program code
• Breaking problems into smaller parts by creating methods to solve individual subproblems
• Intellectual property and ethical concerns in programming

On The Exam

5%–7.5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Representing multiple related items as array objects
• Traversing an array by accessing the elements using iteration statements
• Standard algorithms that utilize array traversals to perform functions

On The Exam

10%–15% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Representing collections of related object reference data using ArrayList objects
• Traversing an ArrayList by accessing the elements using iteration statements
• Standard algorithms that utilize ArrayList traversals to perform functions
• Searching and sorting using standard algorithms
• Ethical issues around data collections

On The Exam

2.5%–7.5% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Representing collections of data as arrays of arrays, or 2D arrays
• Traversing a 2D array by accessing the elements using nested iteration statements

On The Exam

7.5%–10% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Using common attributes and behaviors to group existing objects into superclasses
• Defining and overriding methods within subclasses and superclasses
• Creating references using inheritance hierarchies
• Associating subclass objects with superclasses to create polymorphism

On The Exam

5%–10% of exam score

Topics may include:

• Executing recursive methods
• Searching and sorting using binary search and merge sort algorithms

On The Exam

5%–7.5% of exam score