AP Comp Sci A or AB?

Feed · 07-07-2008, 09:56 PM

Alright, I don't know which course to take.
I'm a rising junior and I'm taking regular Comp Sci online in the summer.

In my regular school year my parents (yes, I'm Asian) want me to take an AP Comp Sci course. AB is harder than A obviously and most of the colleges I wish to apply to only give credit for AB...
On the other hand, A is also a recognized full year AP course with its own AP exam so at least I'll have one more AP to add to my AP course list...
But I'll have to spend more time if I wish to take AB (I'm studying a year's worth of basic comp sci in ONE month... so that's going to be cramped too... Is Comp Sci hard? I've heard it is.)

So if you've studied AB (and probably A... isn't that a prerequisite?) tell me how much effort you put in and how hard was it to get a 5 and all that stuff.

In your opinion what should I do?

BrightRed · 07-08-2008, 06:38 AM

It is hard if you have no prior programming experience. It is going to be hell studying AB in one month. Even if you decide to to just A, remember that you're learning a whole new subject.

skate924 · 07-08-2008, 10:13 AM

I took Comp Sci A with a full year course at my school, and it was an extremely easy AP Test. I regret taking Comp Sci A because this year I took AB and barely studied or did any work in my class and still got a 5 on AB as well. I think you can study for AB in one month if you dedicate enough time to it. The AB adds only a few new subjects to the test and none of them provide much of a challenge.

RuolinFan · 07-08-2008, 02:25 PM

i suggest doing the AB, cuz while A is about the actual programming such as syntax, logic, loops, recursions, etc, the AB focuses on data structures, which i actually found to be easier than the programming part for test taking. For the programming part of the test, they give you a bunch of repetitive loops and recursions and ask you what the result is, busy work and really screws around with your head (personally speaking). On the other hand, the data structures part is actually more logically-inclined and I find it easier.
Also, next year is going to be the final year there IS GOING TO BE a computer science AB test, they are taking the AB out because so little people take it. So if you are thinking of taking the AB later... not going to happen.

iambored10 · 07-08-2008, 02:39 PM

I think the A course is a prerequisite for the AB course...AB wasn't that hard at my school it just got really hectic at the end when AP tests were around the corner..

oneeyeddeacon · 07-08-2008, 03:47 PM

A is not a prerequisite for the AB course. Not at my school at least...

Do AB. It's better IMO. =P

BrightRed · 07-08-2008, 04:02 PM

Dang how did you guys think that AB was easy? Maybe our labs were just ridiculously hard.

inconspicuous.s.n. · 07-08-2008, 04:55 PM

I would play it safe and cover A first. As far as I can tell, most schools don't even really give you different credit for AB- lame but true. Or if you must try to do AB since this is the last year- just remembered- definetly study hard this summer and do as much hands on programming as you can. Hands on is really alot more useful than just having book knowledge.

data · 07-08-2008, 06:36 PM

A is certainly not a prereq for AB. If you are interested in the subject and are willing to dedicate some thought to it, definitely take AB. AB does not have that much extra material.

No matter which you choose, I completely agree that there is no replacement for hands on experience. Just code code code as much as you can. Experimenting is a great way to learn.

An0maly · 07-08-2008, 07:47 PM

What I'm doing is taking A online over the summer, and I'll finish it by october. From there, I'll start AB and finish by march/april. I'll take the normal exam for AB, and the late exam for A.

jacksparrow320 · 07-08-2008, 09:35 PM

"The AP Computer Science AB Exam will be discontinued following the May 2009 exam administration. May 2009 will be the last offering of the AP Computer Science AB Exam."

-http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/195948.html

So next year is the last year for AB.

shadowing · 07-08-2008, 11:21 PM

As jacksparrow says, it's the last year for AB... That is some factor behind your decision.

In my candid opinion, it honestly depends if you're a math/comp-sci guy. For me, I took AP Computer Science A as a freshmen and got a 5 with a broken wrist (yes, I am serious... and no, I did not get a time extension). Next year, the Comp Sci class got canceled, and I ended up self-studying for AB. Like any true procrastinator, I read the data structures for like three hours and went into the exam. From my experience, I would have to say that AB is substantially harder if you do not get comp sci at all.

I'd suggest you first try learning the A material and see if you can grasp it really well. Then consider learning AB material.

iambored10 · 07-09-2008, 01:42 PM

^^ Their ending the AB class cause (according to my computer science teacher) not many people sign up for it. At my school, we have over 2000 students in all 4 grade levels and ONLY 4 students chose to partake in the AB course.

It was sad.
But yeah i dont know why but the A course was a prerequisite for the AB course at my school. Dont ask me why

Jenife · 07-09-2008, 01:45 PM

i dont know anything about computer science. i want to take it though. how hard is it to like...get started. most of the ppl i know really like it, so they take it.