AP Computer Science Principles
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 and an end-of-course written response section where students demonstrate their understanding of their personal Create performance task by answering 4 prompts. Students are provided 9 hours of in-class time to complete their program, video, and develop a Personalized Project Reference.
- An end-of-course exam in May, where students have two hours to complete the multiple-choice section of the exam (70 questions), and one hour to respond to four written response prompts to demonstrate understanding of their personal Create performance task. Check the AP Exam schedule.
Students submit their Create performance task in the AP Digital Portfolio, a web-based platform. As the AP coordinator, you have the ability to monitor the activity in the digital portfolio, and you'll need to perform a few tasks connected to the digital portfolio before the performance task submission deadline of April 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Changes to the Create Performance Task
Changes have been made to the Create performance task for 2023-24 to address AI challenges.
The Create performance task will still consist of three components:
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Program Code
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Video
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New! Personalized Project Reference (student-authored) containing screen captures of their list and procedure
The Personalized Project Reference will replace the written-response component of the Create performance task. Students will use the Personalized Project Reference on exam day to complete the written-response component of the end-of-course exam.
Information about the coordinator’s role will be posted here later this fall. For information about the changes, visit Frequently Asked Questions.
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. An AP ID will be assigned to the student through My AP and will also carry over to the AP Digital Portfolio.
Students must submit their performance task as final by clicking the Submit Final button in the AP Digital Portfolio by April 30, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET.
It's likely that there will be a higher volume of simultaneous submissions as the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline approaches, which means that it may take longer for student submissions to upload in the AP Digital Portfolio. So that students don’t risk missing the deadline, strongly advise them to build extra time to prepare the upload and submit. Students should not wait until the last minute to upload their performance task as final in the AP Digital Portfolio.
Visit the AP Digital Portfolio site 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, as an AP coordinator you need to:
- Create an exam only class section in AP Registration and Ordering and provide the appropriate join code to students so they can enroll. This step needs to be completed before you can order exams.
- Give students all the necessary information and directions for enrollment and submission of work in the AP Digital Portfolio:
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Administer the end-of-course exam.
Students Taking AP CSP Online
Some students may be taking an AP CSP class through an online provider. If these students want to take an AP CSP End-of-Course Exam at your school, as an AP coordinator you need to:
- Create an exam only section in AP Registration and Ordering and give students the appropriate join code so they can enroll. This step needs to be completed before you can order exams.
- Administer the end-of-course exam.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
For AP Computer Science Principles, students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the Create Performance Task and the end-of-course exam. For information about requesting an accommodations approval, go to collegeboard.org/apssd or contact College Board SSD at (844) 255-7728 or (212) 713-8333.