Exam timing
On exam day, you'll click on the link in your e-ticket 30 minutes before the start time for your exam and fill in some information.
A timer will show how much time remains until the start of the exam.
Once the exam starts, the first exam question will automatically appear, and another timer will start counting down.
Your timer will show 30 minutes. You should take 25 minutes to read the question and work on your response, and 5 minutes to submit it. When the timer gets to 5 minutes, an alert will show. Stop working at that time and begin to submit your response. Once your response to Question 1 has been submitted, you can’t go back to it.
When your submission for Question 1 is complete, the second exam question will appear and the timer will show 20 minutes. You should take 15 minutes to read the question and work on your response and 5 minutes to submit it. Again, the timer will give you an alert when 5 minutes remain. Stop working at that time and begin to submit your response.
What to have ready on exam day
Required
- e-ticket email (you’ll receive this two days before your exam)
- Completed Exam Day Checklist, including AP ID
- Device: laptop, tablet, smartphone, desktop computer
- Browser: Chrome (recommended), Firefox, Safari, or Edge
- Internet or cellular connection
- Assistive technology and devices (if applicable, for students approved to test with accommodations)
- Java Quick Reference (.pdf/378.99 KB)
Recommended for students typing responses
- Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notes, or another app to enter and save text
Permitted
- Your class notes or study guides
- Textbooks and other classroom resources
- Previous assignments or assessments
- Interactive Development Environment (IDE) or compiler
Questions
Question 1 (25 mins.)
|
% of exam weight (rounded) |
65% |
|---|---|
|
Question name |
Array / ArrayList |
|
Question description |
Question 1 assesses students’ ability to do the following:
|
|
Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder |
FRQ 3, with modifications to include an open-ended question part. |
Question 2 (15 mins.)
|
% of exam weight (rounded) |
35% |
|---|---|
|
Question name |
Methods and Control Structures |
|
Question description |
Question 2 assesses students’ ability to do the following:
|
|
Corresponding free-response question (FRQ) type in the course and exam description binder |
FRQ 1, with modifications to include an open-ended question part. |
What’s covered
Units eligible for 2020 exam: Units 1–7
Units not included in 2020 exam: Units 8–10
Other course-specific info
An Interactive Development Environment (IDE) or compiler is not required for the 2020 AP Computer Science A Exam, and students will not have an advantage if they use one. However, students may use an IDE or compiler if they choose.
Sample Questions for the 2020 exam
Download example questions (.pdf/668 KB) similar to what you'll see on the 2020 AP Computer Science A Exam.
2020 primary exam date and times
The May AP Exams are complete. For reference, here is the past primary exam date and time for this course.
|
Date: May 15 |
|---|
|
Hawaii Time: 10 a.m. |
Makeup test date and times
The early-June AP makeup exams are complete. For reference, here is the past makeup exam date and time for this course.
|
Date: June 3 |
|---|
|
Hawaii Time: 8 a.m. |
Exception testing date and times
The late-June AP exception testing exams are complete. For reference, here is the past exception testing exam date and time for this course.
|
Date: June 25 |
|---|
|
Hawaii Time: 10 a.m. |