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AP CSP: Questions About Plagiarism and AI

FAQ

How is plagiarism defined in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP)?

Plagiarism in AP Computer Science Principles means using someone else's work without giving them credit. This includes program code, media, data, information, or evidence created by someone else. Teachers must educate students on how to properly use and credit the work of others and emphasize the consequences of plagiarism. Additionally, students are not permitted to use practice performance tasks used within class within their final submission. Each student must express their unique voice clearly in their written responses.

Why are students flagged for plagiarism?

When a student's submission in AP Computer Science Principles closely matches that of a peer's submission or an external resource (such as those made available by our endorsed providers or posted on AP Central), they are flagged for plagiarism. Students may collaborate with a partner on the development of their program only. The creation of the Program Video and the Personalized Project Reference must be completed individually, without any collaboration with a partner or anyone else. Students can develop the code segments used in the Personalized Project Reference with a partner or on their own. Written responses are completed independently on test day.

What is the acceptable usage of generative AI?

Students can use Generative AI tools as supplementary resources for understanding coding principles, assisting in code development, and debugging. It is the student’s responsibility to review and understand any code co-written with AI tools, ensuring its functionality. Additionally, students must be prepared to explain their code in detail, as required on the end-of-course exam. Students should include appropriate acknowledgment (i.e., through citation, attribution, and/or by reference) for any code created by generative AI tools.

How will a student be notified of plagiarism?

Students flagged for plagiarism will receive a notification to the email address associated with their College Board account. Students can expect emails to be delivered during the summer. So, students are encouraged to verify their contact information is correct before the end of the school year. Students must respond within 6 weeks of the notification being sent to resolve our plagiarism concern(s).

Once students are notified, what options does the student have?

Once notified, students may have several options depending on the severity of the infraction. These may include:

Voluntarily accept a score of 0 on the performance task.
Voluntarily accept cancellation of the entire CSP exam.
Request a reconsideration of the performance task.

Students who request a reconsideration must submit supporting documentation that they believe refutes the original determination. This supporting documentation for plagiarism concerns may include a letter of attestation from the student's teacher stating the following:

The work submitted was not completed as part of practice.
The student didn't receive any feedback from the teacher on the program final submission.
To the teacher's knowledge, the programming project is not copied from another source.

Students who request a reconsideration must submit supporting documentation that they believe refutes the original determination. This supporting documentation for unauthorized use of generative AI may include a letter of attestation from the student’s teacher stating the following:

They observed the development of the student’s program;
The portions of the student’s program used to fulfill program requirements—input, output, use of a list, procedure, and procedure call(s)—were developed solely by the student and/or their collaborative partner.

What if a student receives a notification of plagiarism after they already received their score for the AP Computer Science Principles Exam?

When plagiarism is identified in a student's submission, students are notified of our concern(s) and their exam score is placed on hold immediately. The student is then encouraged to select one of the options outlined above. If the student does not respond within 6 weeks of the notification being sent, the performance task will be assigned a score of 0 and the multiple-choice component of the exam will be released. If applicable, score recipients will receive an updated score report with the score of 0 factored into the overall exam score.

What are the consequences of plagiarism?

Students found guilty of plagiarism on the performance task will be assigned a score of 0 on the performance task. If applicable, score recipients will receive the overall exam score with a score of 0 factored in for the performance task component. Students are permitted to retake the exam in the future but must submit a new performance task. If there are any required changes to the student’s status, the student will receive further communication from College Board.

How long does the reconsideration process take?

The length of the reconsideration process can vary based on the number of reconsideration requests received and the case's complexity. However, we strive to complete the reconsideration process within approximately 4-6 weeks. We encourage students to follow the established procedures for submitting a reconsideration request and provide all relevant documentation to support their request. By doing so, students can ensure a fair and transparent review process and receive an opportunity to rectify any perceived misunderstandings in the initial review.

A reconsideration may result in either a grant or a denial of the request, which means the students' performance task will either receive a full score or be assigned a score of 0. The review board's decision is final.

What if a student needs more time to gather supporting documentation for reconsideration?

Students should provide documentation within five business days of requesting a reconsideration by replying to our email sent from csptestsecurity@collegeboard.org. Failure to provide the documentation within the given time frame may result in the student receiving a score of 0 on the performance task. However, if a student requires additional time to gather supporting documentation for reconsideration, they must request an extension by replying to the email sent by the Test Security team. We encourage students to inform their case manager immediately and provide details regarding their request for an extension. Students must communicate effectively and promptly to ensure a fair and transparent review process. It is at the discretion of the case manager to approve or deny the reconsideration request.

What happens if the student's reconsideration is granted?

What happens if the student's reconsideration is denied?

Can a student cancel their score if their reconsideration is not granted?

Can students retake the AP Computer Science Principles Exam if they receive a score of 0 on the performance task?

Yes, students who receive a 0 on the performance task are eligible to retake the AP Computer Science Principles Exam in the future. However, it is essential to note that retaking the exam may require the student to repeat the entire course and complete a new performance task. It is critical to consider the reason for receiving a 0 on the performance task and take appropriate steps to avoid a similar situation in the future. Before retaking the exam, students are encouraged to discuss their options with their teacher and counselor.

What is the best way to avoid plagiarism?

Maintaining academic integrity requires students to avoid plagiarism in their work. To achieve this, students can take the following steps:

Create their own work and avoid copying work that is not their own.
Properly cite and reference all sources of information used in their work.
Take careful notes and keep track of sources during the research process.
Paraphrase information and cite the source.
Be aware of the difference between common knowledge and information that requires citation.
Ensure that all data, sources, and authors used in their work are legitimate and accurate.

By following these guidelines, students can avoid unintentional plagiarism and demonstrate their commitment to academic honesty. Students need to take responsibility for their academic work and accurately cite all sources, showing respect for the intellectual property of others and upholding the academic standards expected of them.