AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) -2025-2026 - Course Description

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen

AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) course overview for 2025–2026 explains how students learn the breadth of computer science through designing and evaluating solutions, building algorithms and programs, and applying abstraction and data to discover new knowledge. The course emphasizes responsible computing, attention to detail in writing and debugging, time management for independent work, and mathematical reasoning for understanding code flow. It also describes extensive hands-on lab experiences and outlines the AP exam description, sample questions, and Java alignment content.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Course Description

Skills and Student Expectations

Hands-on Lab Experience

AP Exam Description and Sample Questions

Java Programming Certification Alignment

Optional Summer Resources

AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) -2025-2026 Course Description: [https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-computer-science-principles) AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this course, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical. To succeed in this course, students should demonstrate: ● Responsible Computing: Contribute to an inclusive, safe, collaborative, and ethical computing culture ● Attention to Detail: Writing and debugging code requires precision and careful analysis of errors. ● Time Management: completing independent assignments, projects, and readings on schedule. ● Mathematical Reasoning: Comfort with basic algebra and logical thinking for understanding algorithms and code flow. The Computer Science A course includes over 160 hours of hands-on, structured lab experiences to engage students in individual or group problem solving. Thus, it includes a substantial lab component in which students design solutions to problems, express their solutions precisely (e.g., in the Java programming language), test their solutions, identify and correct errors, and compare possible solutions. AP Exam Description and Sample Questions Java Programming Certification alignment | Optional Resources to review this summer: | | | --- | --- | | Visual Studio Code IDE Download [Code.org](Code.org)’s AP CSA Course Book-Blown to Bits | Java Beginner by Coding with John Full Java Course by Alex Lee Full Java Course by Bro Code |

FAQs

What topics does AP CSP emphasize in solution design and evaluation?

Students learn to design and evaluate solutions, develop algorithms and programs, and apply abstraction and data to discover new knowledge.

What skills should students demonstrate to succeed in the course?

The course highlights Responsible Computing, Attention to Detail, Time Management, and Mathematical Reasoning to support debugging, independent assignments, and understanding of algorithms and code flow.

How much hands-on lab experience is included in AP CSP?

The program includes over 160 hours of structured lab experiences focused on individual or group problem solving, testing, identifying errors, and comparing solutions.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by McQueen