Important Updates
Scoring Guidelines and Notes for the 2018 exam administration
We have revised the Scoring Guidelines and Notes for the 2018 exam administration to improve teachers’ experience with instruction and student scoring. Note that the performance tasks have not changed. Access the revised AP CSP Scoring Guidelines and Notes.
Attend a Webinar: Revised AP CSP Scoring Guidelines
Attend a live webinar to learn about the changes to the AP CSP scoring guidelines – September 14 at 3:00 PM EST and at 6:00 PM EST. A link to the recorded event will post a few days after the live event for those who are not able to participate.
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- Mon, Apr 30, 2018
AP Computer Science Principles Performance Tasks Due
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- Fri, May 11, 2018
AP Computer Science Principles Exam Day 2018
Assessment Overview
The AP Computer Science Principles Assessment consists of two parts: performance tasks and the end-of-course AP Exam. Both measure student achievement of the course learning objectives.
Assessment Format
Two Performance Tasks | 40% of Overall AP Score
- Explore — Impact of Computing Innovations | 16% | 8 hours
- Create — Applications from Ideas | 24% | 12 hours
The Explore performance task focuses specifically on the creation of a computer program through the collaborative and iterative process of programming.
The Create performance task requires students to identify a computing innovation, explore its impact, and create a related digital artifact – ex. digital art, video – accompanied by a written response.
Students need to submit their final performance tasks on the AP Digital Portfolio by April 30.
End-of-Course Exam: 74 Questions | 2 Hours | 60% of Overall AP Score
- Single-select and multiple-select questions
The AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description (.pdf/2.05MB) includes complete information about the performance tasks and the end-of-course exam.
Scoring Guidelines and Notes for the 2018 Exam Administration
For the 2018 AP CSP exam administration, we will use the Scoring Guidelines and Notes from the table below to score students’ work. Student responses from the 2017 exam administration, which include artifacts from the Explore task and videos from the Create task, have been rescored using the 2018 Scoring Guidelines and Notes. These student responses and scoring commentaries will post on the site in late August.
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Explore – Sample Responses |
Create – Sample Responses |
Scoring Guidelines and Notes |
Commentary |
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To come in late August |
To come in late August |
Explore: Scoring Guidelines and Notes |
To come in late August |
Sample Responses and Scoring Information
Student sample responses from the 2017 exam administration, along with scoring information, will be posted on the table below this fall.
You can also use student responses and scoring guidelines from the 2016 pilot reading to promote discussion with your students about the requirements of the tasks.
Students cannot submit these samples to the College Board for scoring purposes.
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Explore – Sample Responses |
Create – Sample Responses |
Scoring |
Commentary |
Score Distribution |
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Explore – Sample Responses |
Create – Sample Responses |
Scoring |
Commentary |
Score Distribution |
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Sample A: High Score Sample B has been removed Sample C: Medium Score Sample D: Medium Score Sample E: Low Score |
Sample A: High Score Sample B: Medium Score Sample C: Low Score |
Assessment Resources
AP Digital Portfolio
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AP Digital Portfolio
The AP Digital Portfolio page provides instructions on how to navigate the web-based application, how to create classrooms, and how to confirm students' submission of performance tasks. -
AP Digital Portfolio Teacher User Guide for AP Computer Science Principles
Download for instructions on how to log in, create classes, and upload performance tasks on the AP Digital Portfolio.
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AP Digital Portfolio Student User Guide for AP Computer Science Principles