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> AP CS is the epitome of a "Java School" course. As a high school student who took AP CS last year, I agree, but in reality the course isn't even about Java.

> AP CS is the epitome of a "Java School" course. As a high school student who took AP CS last year, I agree, but in reality the course isn't even about Java. Code is written by hand on the free response portion and Java syntax is mentioned but not really emphasized (things like missing brackets and semicolons are okay on the FRQs). I finished all the questions in about 25 minutes, with over an hour left to twiddle my thumbs. Even questions about algorithmic analysis (in APCS's case, just sorting algorithms) are done without proper big-O notations, which is just plain stupid IMO. For a student that has done CS on their own for years now, APCS feels like the fake, industrialized, watered-down version.

jacobolus 8y ago
> watered-down version All of the AP tests are roughly comparable in my opinion. Just not too many high school kids are as overprepared for the tests in chemistry, physics, statistics, economics, etc.
crshults 8y ago
I read that "Java School" bit as being in the Joel Spolsky sense. As opposed to a more SICP approach.
Jach 8y ago
I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the AP CS AB version's material, specifically whether you think it would have been of any use to you. They killed it some years ago, there's just the A now, so you'll have to search around for an old practice exam to look at. I took it in 2007 since I was ahead of the class enough to continue studying on my own. I don't remember exactly what was covered anymore but I do remember enjoying the studying and writing the exercise programs more, it was worth the lower score. I doubt the A has absorbed anything from it. If you keep up your self-study, expect further disappointment in most undergrad data structures courses. =P
- applecrazy 8y ago
  AP CS AB looks amazing, it has everything from binary trees to proper data structures, and even Big-O notation![1] It's sad they killed it, it looks so fun. [1]: http://mchs.virtualbeach.com/cs/documents/AP%20Computer%20Science%20AB%20Practice%20Exam.pdf http://mchs.virtualbeach.com/cs/documents/AP%20Computer%20Sc...

jacobolus 8y ago

> watered-down version All of the AP tests are roughly comparable in my opinion. Just not too many high school kids are as overprepared for the tests in chemistry, physics, statistics, economics, etc.

crshults 8y ago

I read that "Java School" bit as being in the Joel Spolsky sense. As opposed to a more SICP approach.

Jach 8y ago

I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the AP CS AB version's material, specifically whether you think it would have been of any use to you. They killed it some years ago, there's just the A now, so you'll have to search around for an old practice exam to look at. I took it in 2007 since I was ahead of the class enough to continue studying on my own. I don't remember exactly what was covered anymore but I do remember enjoying the studying and writing the exercise programs more, it was worth the lower score. I doubt the A has absorbed anything from it. If you keep up your self-study, expect further disappointment in most undergrad data structures courses. =P

applecrazy 8y ago
AP CS AB looks amazing, it has everything from binary trees to proper data structures, and even Big-O notation![1] It's sad they killed it, it looks so fun. [1]: http://mchs.virtualbeach.com/cs/documents/AP%20Computer%20Science%20AB%20Practice%20Exam.pdf http://mchs.virtualbeach.com/cs/documents/AP%20Computer%20Sc...