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AP Exam Prep · Online Course
AP CS Principles
Online Course & Exam Prep
Personalized 1-on-1 tutoring for AP Computer Science Principles. Master programming, data, algorithms, networks, and the Create Performance Task · score 4 or 5 with IvyStrides' expert tutors.
90% Score 4 or 5
1-on-1 Online Tutoring
New Exam Specialists
Course at a glance
Difficulty
Moderate
Language
Student's Choice
College Credit
Intro Computing
Exam
2h MCQ + Task
Format
1-on-1 · Live Online
Pricing
Share at Consultation
OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO
Course Overview
A broad introduction to computing & its impact
AP Computer Science Principles is the conceptual gateway to computing · covering data, algorithms, programming, networks, and the ethical impact of technology. Programming is one component, not the whole course.
What it covers
5 Big Ideas: Creative Development, Data, Algorithms & Programming, Computer Systems & Networks, Impact of Computing. Broader than just coding.
Who it's for
Students new to CS who want to explore the field. Non-CS-major-bound students wanting computing literacy. A solid AP for any major.
Why it matters
A 4 or 5 earns general computing credit at most universities · demonstrates familiarity with computing concepts increasingly required across all majors.
Exam Format
What's on the AP CS Principles exam
Same structure as AB with broader content. Students also receive an AB subscore based on questions covering AB-only topics.
Section I
End-of-Course Exam
70%
Total questions
70 MCQ
Total time
2 hours
Calculator
Not permitted
Average per Q
~103 seconds
Section II
Create Performance Task
30%
Submission deadline
Late April
Recommended time
9+ class hours
Submission contents
Program + Video + Written Responses
Language
Student's choice
Total combined score
100% · scored 1 to 5
Course Content
The 5 Big Ideas of AP CS Principles
Our 1-on-1 tutoring tracks the College Board's official Course and Exam Description · with extra emphasis on the BC-only units (parametric, polar, vector, series) that distinguish BC from AB.
1
Creative Development
The program development cycle: design, code, test, iterate. Collaboration, error handling, debugging strategies.
2
Data
Binary & data representation, data abstraction, lossless vs. lossy compression, extracting information from data sets.
3
Algorithms & Programming
Variables, control structures, lists, procedures, parameters, recursion basics, algorithmic efficiency concepts.
4
Computer Systems & Networks
How the internet works: packets, protocols, fault tolerance, computing devices, parallel/sequential computing.atives.
5
Impact of Computing
Beneficial & harmful effects, digital divide, computing bias, intellectual property, privacy & security.
+
Create Performance Task
Student-built program with required functionality (lists, procedures with parameters, sequencing/selection/iteration) plus video walkthrough and 4 written response questions.
The IvyStrides Method
How we teach AP CS Principles
Score 4 or 5 needs two things · a strong MCQ foundation across all 5 Big Ideas, and a polished Create Performance Task that hits every rubric requirement. Our tutoring covers both.
01
Big Ideas mastery first
We build conceptual fluency across all 5 Big Ideas systematically · data, algorithms, networks, computing impact · before drilling MCQ practice.
02
Create Task coaching
Tutors guide students through Create Task design, programming, video recording, and written responses · with rubric-aligned feedback at each step.
03
Algorithm-trace drilling
MCQ relies heavily on tracing algorithms and predicting output. We drill systematic execution simulation until algorithm tracing becomes mechanical.
04
Full Mock Exams
Timed MCQ practice tests under exam conditions, scored against the official AP rubric, with point-by-point review of every miss.
Where Most Students Struggle
The 4 things that cost AP CSP students points
After hundreds of tutoring hours, the same four issues come up again and again. Here's what they are · and how IvyStrides addresses each.
The struggle
Create Performance Task · weak required elements
The Create Task requires specific elements (lists, procedures with parameters, sequencing/selection/iteration). Students miss one and lose major rubric rows.
IvyStrides' fix
Required-elements checklist gate
Before students submit, tutors verify every required element is present and properly demonstrated in the program. Nothing gets submitted with missing rubric requirements.
The struggle
Tracing pseudocode & algorithm output
CSP uses a unique exam pseudocode language. Students unfamiliar with the syntax stumble on tracing MCQ even when they understand the logic.
IvyStrides' fix
Pseudocode fluency drills
We drill the College Board's exam pseudocode reference until students read it as naturally as their preferred programming language. Tracing speed and accuracy both improve.
The struggle
Impact of computing · vague essay-style answers
IvyStrides' fix
Example bank + balanced analysis frame
Computing impact MCQ asks students to evaluate beneficial vs. harmful effects. Students give vague answers without specific examples or balanced analysis.
Tutors help students build a bank of 15-20 specific computing impact examples (privacy, accessibility, bias, automation) ready for any MCQ scenario.
The struggle
Create Task written responses
The 4 written responses for the Create Task have specific rubric requirements. Students write generally about their program instead of answering the specific question.
IvyStrides' fix
Response-template drilling
For each of the 4 written response prompts, tutors teach templated answer structures that directly hit each rubric row. Students write responses that score, not responses that ramble.