Future AP Computer Science A Revisions
We periodically update AP courses and exams to reflect new developments in their disciplines and more clearly communicate required content and skills.
Recent college faculty surveys and syllabus studies have shown that many Computer Science 1 and 2 courses use Java. We are revising AP Computer Science A to reflect this research and align with other expectations of current introductory college programming courses.
The earliest these revisions will launch is the 2025-26 school year (May 2026 exam).
What’s Going to Change?
Course Revisions
- Adding topics on text files, data sets, and artificial intelligence.
- Removing the inheritance unit (Unit 9). This will more closely align the course with introductory college courses and allow teachers to cover other topics in more detail.
- Consolidating Units 1-8 and 10 into 4 units.
Exam Revisions
Multiple-Choice Section
- 42 questions—an increase from 40.
- 4 answer choices per question—a decrease from 5.
- 55% of overall exam score—an increase from 50%.
Free-Response Section
- 4 shortened questions with 25 scored points—a decrease from 36 scored points.
- Removing arrays from Question 3 (Data Analysis with ArrayList). This question will focus only on ArrayLists.
- 45% of overall exam score—a decrease from 50%.
Learn More in the Course Framework
To preview the future course and exam in more detail, download the revised course framework (.pdf).
What to Expect
We’ll email AP Computer Science A teachers and update this page with more information and resources, including:
- A detailed preview of the launch timeline
- Professional development opportunities to help teachers get ready
- A revised course and exam description (CED)
- Robust instructional resources and AP Classroom updates aligned with the revisions
Send Us Your Questions
Contact us using this feedback form.
FAQ
Why are you revising AP Computer Science A?
We periodically update AP courses and exams to reflect new developments in their disciplines and more clearly communicate required content and skills.
Recent college faculty surveys and syllabus studies have shown that many Computer Science 1 and 2 courses use Java. We’re revising AP Computer Science A to reflect this research and align with other expectations of current introductory college programming courses.
Do AP Computer Science A teachers need to prepare for these revisions for the 2024-25 school year?
No. These revisions won’t affect the 2024-25 school year. We’ll email AP Computer Science A teachers and update this page when we finalize the launch timeline.
When will the revisions launch?
The earliest these revisions will launch is the 2025-26 school year (May 2026 exam). We’ll email AP Computer Science A teachers and update this page when we finalize the launch timeline.
Will AP Computer Science A teachers need to resubmit in the AP Course Audit?
Yes. All new and returning AP Computer Science A teachers will need to complete the AP Course Audit the year that the revised course launches. We’ll email teachers and administrators with details after we finalize the launch timeline.
When will the revised CED be available?
The revised CED will be available in the spring before launch.
Will there be new practice exams?
Yes. New practice exams will be available beginning in the summer before launch.
Will there be new AP Classroom resources for the revised course and exam?
Yes. We’ll update AP Classroom resources—including AP Daily videos, progress checks, topic questions, and the question bank—the summer before launch.
What professional learning opportunities will be available to help teachers prepare for the new content?
We’ll offer AP Summer Institutes and other professional learning opportunities for teachers closer to launch year. Endorsed providers will also update their professional learning opportunities for teachers.
Will the textbooks teachers currently use for AP Computer Science A work with the revised course?
Yes. Textbooks published in the last 10 years will adequately address the revised course material.
We will work with publishers to update their materials so that schools can purchase new textbooks if they wish. We’ve also notified endorsed providers about the revisions.
Who was involved in the revisions?
Multiple committees consisting of high school teachers and higher education faculty were responsible for the revisions. We also gathered feedback on the revised framework from an advisory board of more than 40 college faculty and AP Computer Science A teachers.
Did you consult colleges and universities, and will they still have the same credit policies?
We consulted universities during the revision process and included many faculty members on the advisory board. We expect these revisions will preserve current credit and placement policies and create opportunities to broaden them.
Will you update the labs?
Yes. We’ll update labs to align with the revisions.
Will endorsed providers update their materials?
Yes. Endorsed providers will update their curricula, syllabi, and professional learning to align with the revisions.