AP Computer Science Principles Redesign

Effective in fall 2027, AP Computer Science Principles has been reimagined as the course for teaching students how to work with AI responsibly, safely, and confidently.

AI is integral to the world of computer science. Software engineering remains one of the largest professional job categories, and employers now expect software engineers to be fluent in AI. What sets candidates apart is a deeper understanding of AI for designing, debugging, and evaluating code, and the ability to determine when AI is wrong. The redesigned course develops these skills, empowering students to build with AI, not just learn about it.

The course teaches students how AI systems work and how to write and evaluate code with and without AI tools. Students design and test programs to meet real users' needs, learning when and how to use AI tools along the way. 

Students also complete an AI Create Project, in which they build an AI application. The AP Exam includes free-response questions about the project, so students who earn a qualifying score for college credit have demonstrated their ability to design, build, and understand an AI-powered application.

A preview of the redesigned course framework is available and offers a first glance at how these changes will impact AP Computer Science Principles classrooms. The finalized AP Computer Science Principles Course and Exam Description (CED) will be available in spring 2027. These changes do not impact 2026-27.

Starting in 2027-28

AI Throughout the Course

Students will:

• Study responsible AI and human decision making, AI algorithm development, the ethics and effects of AI, and machine learning.
• Investigate how AI systems represent information and generate output; and design, program, and test an AI application.
• Write and evaluate code with and without AI tools. They'll check the accuracy of AI-generated code, decide how much AI automation fits a task, and describe appropriate attribution when they use AI and external sources.
• Use AI to support their thinking, not to replace it.

AI Tool Requirement

• Students need access to a district-approved AI tool that accepts a student’s own written instructions and returns a response. Schools will need to make sure every student has access to one. 
• For districts and school administrators: See Access to an AI Tool: What Schools Need to Plan For below.

Hands-On AI Labs

• Students will complete a required series of hands-on, structured AI lab experiences.
• AI labs aligned to the course framework will be available through AP Classroom for teachers to use. The labs can be used with any district-approved AI tool.

Unit-Based Course Structure

The redesigned course is organized into four units with a recommended, scaffolded teaching order, and one optional unit. 

• The optional 5th unit is not assessed. Unit 5 may be helpful for schools that need content on hardware, software, troubleshooting, emerging technology, or career exploration to meet state, district, career and technical education, or graduation requirements.
• The course sequence includes Connect Tasks, which are short, real-world application tasks that help students apply concepts from a single unit.
• New to AP Computer Science Principles, Progress Checks are built into the course for teachers to give students timely feedback.

Redesigned Course Framework Overview

Five computational thinking practices run through the course: Design Code, Develop Code, Analyze Code, Document Code and Computing Systems, and Use Computers Responsibly.

• Unit 1: Creating Purposeful Apps and Programs. Purpose and Behavior; Benefits of Collaboration; Responsible AI and Human Decision Making; Binary Representation; Sequencing; Variables; Mathematical Expressions.
• Unit 2: Building Solutions Using Selection and Iteration. Program Design and Development; Boolean Expressions; Selection; Iteration; Algorithm Development; Errors.
• Unit 3: Developing with Abstraction Using Lists and Procedures. Lists; Procedures; Using Existing Code and Libraries.
• Unit 4: Making Data-Driven Decisions Using the Internet and AI. The Internet; Effects of Technology; Privacy and Security; Data Analysis; AI Algorithm Development; Ethics and Effects of AI; Machine Learning.
• Unit 5 (optional): Exploring Computing Technologies. Hardware; Software; Troubleshooting; Emerging Technology; Career Exploration.

AI Create Project

• Students will demonstrate their knowledge of AI through the AI Create Project, which replaces the Create performance task. Students create an AI application designed for real users. Each application will have a clear purpose and a specific audience. Students will need to consider what their users need and what responses would be useful, safe, and respectful.
• Students are provided a minimum of 9 hours of class time to complete and submit their work.

As part of this AI Create Project, students will submit:

• Final program code
• A video that displays the program in action and demonstrates the functionality
• Code segments for their Personalized Project Reference (PPR): Procedure and Procedure Call, Data Collection, Model and Decision-Making

Submission Deadline: As currently required, students will submit their work as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by April 30. Students will be given a printed copy of their PPR during Section II of the exam to reference when completing their free-response questions.

End-of-Course AP Exam

• The end-of-course exam remains a fully digital AP Exam in the Bluebook testing app, with multiple-choice and free-response questions.
• The exam includes free-response questions about the AI Create Project.
• More details, including question types, timing, and scoring, will be in the CED available in spring 2027.

Course Audit Requirement

• For 2027-28, returning teachers will need to complete the AP Course Audit form and have it approved by their Course Audit administrator. Returning teachers do not need to submit a new syllabus for 2027-28. Course Audit opens on June 1, 2027, for AP Computer Science Principles.
• Note: A full Course Audit, including a new syllabus, will be required for all teachers in 2028-29.

Instructional Resources

• To support new teachers, optional instructional resources from outside providers will be available for schools that want to adopt existing curricula or other tools. Information about how to access these resources will be available in spring 2027.

Access to an AI Tool: What Schools Need to Plan For

Starting in 2027-28, every AP Computer Science Principles student will need access to a district-approved AI tool that accepts a student’s own written instructions and returns a response. The guidance below can help district and school leaders and technology teams prepare. 

• Policies: Before enabling any tool for students, review your district’s policies on acceptable AI use.
• Student eligibility: Some AI providers limit use by age. Check each provider’s terms for students ages 13-17.
• Account settings: Some AI products are turned off by default for K-12 students, so the person who manages your school’s or district’s accounts may need to turn the tool on.
• Sign-in: Plan for each student to have their own sign-in. Most providers’ terms don’t allow shared or class logins.
• Web filters: School filters may need to be updated to allow the tool you choose. Check the provider’s setup guidance.

Beginning in 2028-29: Text-Based Programming Languages for the AI Create Project

• Beginning with the 2028-29 school year, students will submit their AI Create Project in one of a limited number of text-based languages.
• This change aligns the course with introductory college computer science courses, where text-based languages are most commonly used.
• If you currently teach programming with block-based tools, you can continue to use them in your teaching while introducing text-based languages throughout the year. Students will need to be working in an approved text-based language by the time they submit their AI Create Project in 2028-29.
• The final list of approved languages for 2028-29 will be shared by summer 2027.
• 2027-28 is a transition year that gives teachers time to adjust to teaching the new AI concepts before this change.
• To support teachers transitioning from a block-based language to a text-based language, AP will ensure access to a free curriculum dedicated to this transition. This resource will be available prior to teacher planning for the 2028-29 school year.

Timeline: What to Expect 

• November 2026: Available now—a preview of the redesigned course framework. 
• Spring 2027: The finalized course and exam description (CED) becomes available.
• June 1, 2027: Course Audit opens for AP Computer Science Principles. 
• Summer 2027: AP Summer Institutes are available, providing opportunities for teachers to develop additional knowledge and skills, as needed; details about approved text-based programming languages for 2028-29 are shared.
• Fall 2027: The redesigned course takes effect. 
• 2028-29: Students submit their AI Create Project in one of a limited number of text-based languages.