AP Computer Science Principles
About the Assessment
The AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) Exam consists of two parts:
- A through-course Create performance task, where students will develop a computer program of their choice.
- An end-of-course fully digital AP Exam administered in May.
Students submit their Create performance task through the AP Digital Portfolio by no later than April 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET), following these steps. As the AP coordinator, you can monitor the activity in the AP Digital Portfolio, and you'll need to perform a few tasks connected to the AP Digital Portfolio before the April 30 submission deadline.
Create Performance Task
The Create performance task consists of three components:
- Program Code
- Video
- Personalized Project Reference containing screen captures of the student's list and procedure
AP coordinators will need to print the Personalized Project Reference (PPR) from the AP Digital Portfolio for each student before the exam:
- After the April 30 submission deadline for students and before exam day, sign in to the AP Digital Portfolio and print each student’s PPR.
- On exam day, give the PPR for each student taking the exam to the proctor.
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. Students can sign in to both platforms using the same login information.
Students must submit all three performance task components as final by clicking the Submit Final button in the AP Digital Portfolio by the submission deadline of April 30.
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 along with creating an exam only class section in AP Registration and Ordering and providing the join code to students so they enroll, also share these directions for enrollment and submission of work in the AP Digital Portfolio: