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Ace the AP Computer Science Exam for High Schoolers
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Delve into AP Computer Science A fundamentals, gain hands-on Java coding practice, and test your knowledge with practice exams. No background needed—boost your confidence and skills!

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Welcome to your one stop shop to acing your AP Computer Science A examination. This course is a comprehensive run-through of everything you need to know to fly through your exam with confidence. With no background knowledge required, you'll learn the fundamentals of computer programming, you'll get hands-on practice coding in Java, and you'll learn real software development skills that will last you a lifetime. You'll also get the chance to test your knowledge with 3 practice exams inside your browser. Your friends will be jealous. Your life will be changed. Buckle in.

Welcome to your one stop shop to acing your AP Computer Science A examination. This course is a comprehensive run-through of eve...Show More

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Learn some of the basic building blocks of computer science

Explore Java syntax and get your hands dirty writing code

Solve real problems with interactive coding projects

Understand how the exam is structured and scored

Navigate the exam confidently with three in-browser practice tests

Learn some of the basic building blocks of computer science

Show more

Content

189 Lessons24 Quizzes3 Assessments5 Challenges

1.

Understanding the AP CS A

1 Lessons

Get familiar with AP Computer Science A, focusing on Java programming, problem-solving, and algorithm development.

What Is This Course About?

2.

Test Preparation Guidelines

3 Lessons

Unpack the core of AP Computer Science exam structure, scoring, and key computational practices.

Scoring Guidelines

3.

Before We Begin

2 Lessons

Explore the fundamentals of computers, hardware, software, and Java programming essentials.

Introduction to Computers

Introduction to Programming

4.

Introduction to Java

8 Lessons

Enhance your skills in writing basic Java programs, printing styles, and effective commenting.

Writing Your First Java Program

Printing Styles

Commenting in Java Code

Look Back: Introduction to Java

Free Response Question: Printing Styles

Solution Review: Printing Styles

Quiz Yourself on Printing Styles and Comments

5.

Unit 1: Primitive Types

16 Lessons

Dig deeper into Java variable types, operators, type casting, and practical applications.

Types of Variables

Primitive Data Types

Arithmetic Operators

Assignment Operators

Rounding Double Type Variables

The final Keyword

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: Primitive Types

Free Response Question 1: Equation Construction

Solution Review 1: Equation Construction

Free Response Question 2: Expression Evaluation

Solution Review 2: Expression Evaluation

Quiz Yourself on Variables and Data Types

6.

Unit 2-1: Using Objects

8 Lessons

Investigate Java classes, objects, constructors, and methods to effectively utilize object-oriented programming.

Introduction to Classes

Objects: Instances of Classes

Parameters and Return Types in Methods

Different Classifications of Methods

Look Back: Using Objects

Quiz Yourself on Objects

7.

Unit 2-2: Java Strings

11 Lessons

Master Java Strings by exploring their properties, methods, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Introduction to Strings

API, Libraries, and Packages

Basic Properties of a String

Concatenation and Escape Sequences

More on String Methods

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: Java Strings

Free Response Question 1: Message Encryption

Solution Review: Message Encryption

Quiz Yourself on Strings

8.

Unit 2-3: Java Math and Wrapper Classes

11 Lessons

Get familiar with Java's Math class, wrapper classes, and key mathematical computations.

Java Wrapper Class: Integer

Java Wrapper Class: Double

Autoboxing and Unboxing

Using the Math Class

Basic Math Functions

Look Back: Java Math and Wrapper Classes

Free Response Question 1: Visualize a Triangle in a Circle

Solution Review: Visualize a Triangle in a Circle

Free Response Question 2: Visualize a Vector and Its Components

Solution Review: Visualize a Vector and Its Components

Quiz Yourself on Math and Wrapper Classes

9.

Unit 3: Boolean Expressions and if Statements

14 Lessons

Solve challenges with Boolean expressions and conditional statements to optimize decision-making in algorithms.

Boolean Expressions

The if Statement

The if-else Structure

The else if Statement

Free Response Question 1: Assign Grades to Students

Solution Review: Assign Grades to Students

Compound Boolean Expressions

Equivalent Boolean Expressions

Comparing Objects

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: Boolean Expressions and if Statements

Free Response Question 2: Design an ATM

Solution Review: Design an ATM

Quiz Yourself on Boolean Expressions and if Statements

10.

Unit 4: Iteration

12 Lessons

Examine iteration concepts in programming, focusing on loops, nested loops, string traversal, and common pitfalls.

Introduction to Loops

Nested for loops

Free Response Question 1: Car Parking Robot

Solution Review: Car Parking Robot

String Traversals

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: Iteration

Free Response Question 2: Is String a Palindrome?

Solution Review: Is String a Palindrome?

Quiz Yourself on Iteration

11.

Project I: Guess the Right Number

4 Lessons

Apply your skills to create a number-guessing game using iterations and conditional statements.

Getting Started

Solution Review

12.

Unit 5: Writing Classes

14 Lessons

Deepen your knowledge of creating, structuring, and managing Java classes, constructors, and methods.

The Anatomy of a Java Class

Access Specifiers

The Role of a Constructor

Accessor Methods

Mutator Methods

Introduction to Data Hiding

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Static Variables and Methods

The this Keyword

Ethical and Social Implications of Computing Systems

Look Back: Writing Classes

Free Response Question: Design a PlayStation

Solution Review: Design a PlayStation

Quiz Yourself on Classes

13.

Unit 6: Arrays

9 Lessons

Tackle arrays, creation, traversal, enhanced for loops, common mistakes, and functions like Max.

Introduction to Arrays

Array Creation and Access

Traversing Arrays

Enhanced for Loop for Arrays

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: Arrays

Free Response Question: Find the Top Scorer in a Class

Solution Review: Find the Top Scorer in a Class

Quiz Yourself on Arrays

14.

Unit 7-1: ArrayList

10 Lessons

Practice using ArrayLists to manage data collections and perform tasks like removing duplicates.

Introduction to ArrayList

ArrayList Methods

Traversing an ArrayList

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: ArrayList

Free Response Question 1: Removing Duplicates From an ArrayList

Solution Review: Removing Duplicates From an ArrayList

Free Response Question 2: Is ArrayList a Palindrome?

Solution Review: Is ArrayList a Palindrome?

Quiz Yourself on ArrayList

15.

Unit 7-2: Searching and Sorting Algorithms

7 Lessons

Learn how to use searching and sorting algorithms, and tackle ethical data concerns.

Searching Algorithms

Ethical Issues Around Data Collection

Look Back: Searching and Sorting Algorithms

Tracing Challenge: What's the Order?

Quiz Yourself on Searching and Sorting Algorithms

16.

Unit 8: 2D Arrays

9 Lessons

Solve 2D arrays challenges: mirror and multiply arrays, avoid common mistakes.

Two Dimensional (2D) Arrays

Traversing 2D Arrays

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Look Back: 2D Arrays

Free Response Question 1: Mirror a 2D Array

Solution Review: Mirror a 2D Array

Free Response Question 2: Multiply the Matrices

Solution Review: Multiply the Matrices

Quiz Yourself on 2D Arrays

17.

Project II: Tic-Tac-Toe

7 Lessons

Work your way through building a Tic-Tac-Toe game with Java and user inputs.

Getting Started

Time To Code: Task I to III

Solution Review: Task I to III

Time To Code: Task IV

Solution Review: Task IV

Time To Code: Task V and VI

Solution Review: Task V and VI

18.

Project III: Amazon's Top 50 Bestselling Books Dataset

4 Lessons

Apply your skills to analyzing Amazon's Top 50 bestselling books with coding tasks.

Getting Started

Reading the Dataset

Solution Review

19.

Unit 9-1: Inheritance

8 Lessons

Dig into inheritance principles, superclass-subclass relations, constructors, types, and banking app design.

Introduction to Inheritance

Superclasses and Subclasses

Constructors of Subclasses

Types of Inheritance

Look Back: Inheritance

Free Response Question: Design a Banking Application

Solution Review: Design a Banking Application

Quiz Yourself on Inheritance

20.

Unit 9-2: Polymorphism

8 Lessons

Follow polymorphism principles in Java to enhance code flexibility and reusability.

Introduction to Polymorphism

Overriding Methods

Polymorphism in Action

Object Superclass

Look Back: Polymorphism

Free Response Question: Manage the Sign Boards

Solution Review: Manage the Sign Boards

Quiz Yourself on Polymorphism

21.

Unit 9-3: Abstract Classes and Interfaces

4 Lessons

Practice using abstract classes and interfaces to enhance Java code flexibility and organization.

Abstraction in Java

Interfaces in Java

Look Back: Abstract Classes and Interfaces

Quiz Yourself on Abstraction and Interfaces

22.

Unit 10: Recursion

9 Lessons

Try out recursive techniques with practical examples, including factorials, Fibonacci, merge sort, and binary search.

Overview of Recursion

The Structure of a Recursive Program

Example 1: The Factorial of a Number

Example 2: The Fibonacci Series

Example 3: Merge Sort

Look Back: Recursion

Free Response Question: Recursive Binary Search

Solution Review: Recursive Binary Search

Quiz Yourself on Recursion

23.

Project IV: Doctor on Call

5 Lessons

Unpack the core of managing a hospital system through structured coding tasks and role-specific functionalities.

Getting Started

Time To Code: Task I to Task V

Time To Code: Task VI to Task IX

Solution Review: Task I to Task V

Solution Review: Task VI to Task IX

24.

Java Tools and Tips

3 Lessons

Go hands-on with essential Java debugging, best coding practices, and Javadoc documentation.

Debugging in Java

Best Java Coding Practices

25.

Wrapping Up

2 Lessons

Grasp the fundamentals of key Java methods, concepts, and exam-focused practice.

Appendix: Java Quick Reference

AP CS A Practice Exam 1

Assessment

AP CS A Practice Exam 2

Assessment

AP CS A Practice Exam 3

Assessment

Certificate of Completion

Showcase your accomplishment by sharing your certificate of completion.

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