Advanced Placement
The Difference Between AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A
Do you like creating things? Learning skills that have real-world applications? If so, you might be trying to decide which AP computer science course is right for you. In this post, we’ll explain the similarities and differences between AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) and AP Computer Science A (AP CSA).
What is AP Computer Science Principles?
AP Computer Science Principles is a course that allows students to explore a wide range of computer science topics. When you take AP CSP, you'll discover how computers and technology are impacting our daily lives, from the apps we use, to how our personal data is collected, to how AI can have positive and negative consequences. In this course, you’ll learn how to harness technology to:
- Work collaboratively to address real-world issues.
- Design a computer program to solve a problem.
- Analyze data to generate new knowledge.
- Communicate ideas about technology.
Learn more about the course and how the exam is structured. And check out this video to hear directly from students who took AP CSP.
What is AP Computer Science A?
AP Computer Science A is a course that enables students to explore more advanced programming concepts. When you take AP CSA, you'll learn one of the most in-demand programming languages, Java, and build skills used by computer scientists to develop creative solutions to today’s problems. In this course, you’ll develop important skills such as:
- Designing a computer program.
- Writing the necessary code to implement a program.
- Testing program code and correcting errors.
- Documenting and explaining how program code works.
Learn more about the course and how the exam is structured. And check out this video to hear directly from students who took AP CSA.
How are these two courses similar?
AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A share characteristics. Both courses:
- Do not require you to have any computer science or programming experience before enrolling in the course.
- Give you a solid introduction to programming content and skills.
- Encourage you to continue your studies and interest in the field of computer science.
- Do not have any formal prerequisites, though they require students to exercise problem-solving skills and logical reasoning.
How are these two courses different?
Although AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A have similarities, they differ in ways you should know:
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP Computer Science A |
| Your teacher can choose which programming language you'll learn in the course. | Your teacher is required to use the Java programming language. |
| You'll be introduced to broader concepts in computer science, including analyzing data, explaining how the internet works, and exploring the impacts of computer science in areas like cybersecurity and AI. | You'll do a deep dive into programming with Java, exploring more advanced programming concepts. |
| The AP Exam is made up of both a performance task that’s completed during the school year and a traditional exam, which will be digital starting in May 2025. The performance task requires you to write a program of your choice and record a video of your program running, which must be submitted before the exam. The exam contains multiple-choice questions about general course content and then a section requiring written responses to a series of questions about your performance task. | The AP Exam is a traditional exam with multiple-choice questions and free-response questions, which will be digital starting in May 2025. You'll have to demonstrate your knowledge of Java programming in the free-response questions by writing program code. |
Learn more about the benefits of taking AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. And learn about scholarships, paid internships, and other opportunities for high school and college students interested in computer science.
