AP Computer Science - Principles - Overall Course Review - Explore Task & Create Task

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Sage

Overall course review and exam preparation guidance for AP Computer Science: Principles, focusing on the APCS:P score components and the timing of the AP CS P exam. Provides directions for the Explore task, including the computational artifact requirements, the report constraints, and how to select a technological invention with clear pros/cons and data manipulation plus data storage, privacy, or security considerations. Also outlines the Create task preparation, programming setup for Python (downloads, Pyzo configuration), and beginner coding practice including a Hello World introduction and basic data types.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Overview

Explore Task

Create Task

Getting Started with Python

Lesson 1 - Hello World

Lesson 2 - Basic Data Types

AP Computer Science: Principles Python Curriculum/Overall Course Review OVERVIEW As you guys may already be aware of, the APCS:P score is broken up into three parts: The AP Exam for CS: P is on Friday, May 10th (1st week) in the afternoon. Edhesive does a pretty good job of preparing for the exam itself. Sample questions can be found starting on page 85 of the AP Course Description. As such, the primarily focus will be on helping develop ideas for the Explore task, and the programming skills needed to tackle the Create task. We’re going to leave our academic emails here; don’t be afraid to shoot us an email asking for programming hel p or to review your Explore project (within reason): [rfaria@andrew.cmu.edu](rfaria@andrew.cmu.edu)[ ](rfaria@andrew.cmu.edu)[macea@andrew.cmu.edu](macea@andrew.cmu.edu) Explore Task What do I have to do? Page 74 of the course description contains the formal explanation of the task assignment. As per the rubric on page 108, the short version is as such: ● The first part is the “computational artifact” itself, which can be a visualization, a graphic, a video, a program, or an audio recording. ● The second part is a report based on the invention you chose, and fulfills all the requirements on page 110. Since the maximum word count is 700, this shouldn’t take longer than a page and a half. How do I pick a technological invention? Anything you can think of is probably okay. The only thing to keep in mind is that you have to be able to discuss one pro, one con, and how the invention manipulates data, and “at least one data storage concern, data privacy concern, or data security”. With that being said, here’s a list of links with ideas to get you started: ● [https://compsci.lafayette.edu/top-30-innovations/](https://compsci.lafayette.edu/top-30-innovations/) ● [https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/04/5-technological-innovations-that-could-chang](https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/08/04/5-technological-innovations-that-could-chang)[e-the.aspx](e-the.aspx) (\#3 isn’t recommended) Example Projects At the bottom of this page you’ll find sample responses and scoring guidelines from CollegeBoard. Here is a sample project, with a sample of the submission format for the digital portfolio and the highlighting required for the code submission. Create Task For the create task, this is where you get to truly show off your creative skills if what you enjoy about computer science is the nitty gritty coding of it all. To get ready for this portion of the exam, we’ll introduce you to the basic programming skills needed to create a project for your upcoming AP Portfolio. Before we start, it’s important to note that we’re going to be using material from our Intro to Programming course at Carnegie Mellon, but we’ll be showing you the extremely important parts that you need to know. In any case, when you’re done here, feel free to go on the course's website (linked below) in order to continue learning all the wonderful things there are to programming! Fall 2018 Schedule: [http://www.krivers.net/15112-f18/schedule.html](http://www.krivers.net/15112-f18/schedule.html) Getting Started with Python For your create task we’ll be working with the programming language called Python, for this language, there are a couple things you need to download before getting started. First is the language itself, from the python website, download the latest version of Python. Python Website: [https://www.python.org/downloads/](https://www.python.org/downloads/) Then, you’ll need a text editor, or somewhere to write your code, for your create task we’ll be using a software called Pyzo. We’ve linked the download folders below. Pyzo for Windows Pyzo for Mac OS Pyzo for Linux Setup your shell configuration for Python 3 ● On the top menu, click Shell->Edit Shell Configurations ● Click the dropdown labeled exe, and choose Python 3.6. ● Under "gui", select "None no gui support" (

FAQs

When is the AP Computer Science Principles exam, and what are the main areas to prepare for?

The AP CS P exam is scheduled for Friday, May 10th (1st week) in the afternoon. Preparation emphasis is on developing ideas for the Explore task and building the programming skills needed for the Create task.

What are the key parts and requirements of the Explore task?

The Explore task includes a computational artifact (such as a visualization, program, video, or audio recording) and a written report based on the chosen invention. The report must meet the rubric requirements and is limited to a maximum of 700 words.

How do you choose a technological invention for the Explore task?

Choose an invention you can discuss with one pro, one con, and an explanation of how it manipulates data. You must also address at least one data storage concern, data privacy concern, or data security concern.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Sage