AP Computer Science Principles

Changes to the Create Performance Task

To address AI challenges, we’ve made important changes to the Create performance task for 2023-24. Please review the details on this page, as the changes affect what AP coordinators will need to do before the exam.

The AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam consists of two parts: 

  • An end-of-course exam in May, where students have 2 hours to complete the multiple-choice section of the exam (70 questions), and 1 hour to respond to 2 written response questions to demonstrate understanding of their personal Create performance task. Check the AP Exam schedule.
  • 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 4 prompts. Students are provided 9 hours of in-class time to complete their program, video, and develop a Personalized Project Reference.

Students follow these steps to submit their Create performance task in the AP Digital Portfolio, a web-based platform. As the AP coordinator, you can monitor the activity in the digital portfolio, and you'll need to perform a few tasks connected to the digital portfolio before the performance task submission deadline of  April 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET

Changes to the Create Performance Task 

Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the Create performance task will consist of three components: 

  • Program Code 

  • Video 

  • New: Personalized Project Reference (student-authored) containing screen captures of their list and procedure 

The Personalized Project Reference will replace the written-response component of the Create performance task. Students will use the Personalized Project Reference on exam day to complete the written-response component of the exam. 

New for 2023-24: Personalized Project Reference

Each student taking the AP CSP Exam needs their Personalized Project Reference to complete Section II: Written Response.

To prepare for exam day, AP coordinators need to: 

  1. Log in to the AP Digital Portfolio after the April 30 Create performance task submission deadline.
  2. Go to the Progress page and print the Personalized Project Reference for each student taking the exam.
  3. Organize the Personalized Project Reference sheets to ensure all pages are included for each student.
  4. Store the Personalized Project Reference sheets securely before exam day, along with the AP CSP Exam packets.
  5. On exam day, give the printed Personalized Project Reference sheets to the proctor with the exams.

During the exam, the proctor will distribute the Personalized Project Reference sheets to students following the directions in the AP Exam Instructions. The proctor must collect each student’s Personalized Project Reference at the end of the exam and return them to the AP coordinator; they must be kept on file at the school for six months. 

For More Information

See the AP Coordinator's Manual, Part 2 for details about the Personalized Project Reference, including guidance about printing the sheets. 

See AP CSP: Questions About the AP Coordinator’s Role for additional information.

 

Ordering

AP coordinators order AP CSP Exams along with all other AP Exams in AP Registration and Ordering. For more information about ordering AP Exams, go to Ordering and Fees

AP Digital Portfolio

The AP Digital Portfolio is directly linked to My AP. When students enroll in an AP CSP class section in My AP, their enrollment will carry over to the AP Digital Portfolio. An AP ID will be assigned to the student through My AP and will also carry over to the AP Digital Portfolio.  

Students must submit all three performance task components as final by clicking the Submit Final button in the AP Digital Portfolio by April 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.

It's likely that there will be a higher volume of simultaneous submissions as the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline approaches, which means that it may take longer for student submissions to upload in the AP Digital Portfolio. So that students don’t risk missing the deadline, strongly advise them to build extra time to prepare the upload and submit. Students should not wait until the last minute to upload their performance task components as final in the AP Digital Portfolio.

See this AP Digital Portfolio page for more information.  

Independent Study and Homeschooled Students

If your school supports independent study or homeschooled students who want to take an AP CSP End-of-Course Exam without participating in an AP CSP class at school, as an AP coordinator you need to:

Students Taking AP CSP Online

Some students may be taking an AP CSP class through an online provider. If these students want to take an AP CSP End-of-Course Exam at your school, as an AP coordinator you need to:

  • Create an exam only section in AP Registration and Ordering and give students the appropriate join code so they can enroll. This step needs to be completed before you can order exams. 
  • Order exams through AP Registration and Ordering.  

  • Print the Personalized Project Reference for each student from the AP Digital Portfolio. Follow the same instructions listed on this page and review pages 132-134 of the AP Coordinator's Manual, Part 2

  • Administer the end-of-course exam.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

For AP CSP, students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the Create performance task and the end-of-course exam. For information about requesting an accommodations approval, go to collegeboard.org/apssd or contact College Board SSD at (844) 255-7728 or (212) 713-8333.

Key Dates

Tue, Apr 30, 2024

11:59 PM ET

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.

Resources

Article

CSP Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the course, exam, and AP Course Audit.

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