Aim for FiveComputer Science A

Free-response practice

Computer Science A free-response questions

Free-response questions (FRQs) are the part of the AP® Computer Science A exam where you write your own answers. Here they're grouped the way the exam uses them. Write your answer, then score it yourself with the rubric and a model answer, or sign in for free AI scoring.

20 questions · 4 types

Question 1: Methods and Control Structures

You write two methods, or a constructor and a method, of a class you're given. Part A needs loops and/or if statements plus calls to the class's own methods; Part B needs String methods. New since the course was revised for 2025–26 (first tested in May 2026): it's worth 7 points instead of 9, and points are no longer taken off as penalties.

On the exam: Question 1 of 4, 7 points (Part A 4 points, Part B 3 points). Section II has 4 free-response questions in 90 minutes (45% of the score), all assessing Practice 2 (Develop Code). The exam is fully digital in Bluebook: you type your Java, and the Java Quick Reference is provided. No calculator. Suggested time is our split of the 90 minutes by points; College Board gives no per-question timing. Plan on about 25 minutes for one.

Question 2: Class Design

You write a whole class from a description and a table of example calls and results: the class header, private instance variables, a constructor and the required method. New since the course was revised for 2025–26 (first tested in May 2026): it's worth 7 points instead of 9, and points are no longer taken off as penalties.

On the exam: Question 2 of 4, 7 points. Section II has 4 free-response questions in 90 minutes (45% of the score), all assessing Practice 2 (Develop Code). The exam is fully digital in Bluebook: you type your Java, and the Java Quick Reference is provided. No calculator. Suggested time is our split of the 90 minutes by points; College Board gives no per-question timing. Plan on about 25 minutes for one.

Question 3: Data Analysis with ArrayList

You write one method that traverses, analyzes or changes data stored in an ArrayList of objects, using the classes described in the question. New since the course was revised for 2025–26 (first tested in May 2026): it's always an ArrayList now (it used to be an array or an ArrayList), it's worth 5 points instead of 9, and points are no longer taken off as penalties.

On the exam: Question 3 of 4, 5 points. Section II has 4 free-response questions in 90 minutes (45% of the score), all assessing Practice 2 (Develop Code). The exam is fully digital in Bluebook: you type your Java, and the Java Quick Reference is provided. No calculator. Suggested time is our split of the 90 minutes by points; College Board gives no per-question timing. Plan on about 18 minutes for one.

Question 4: 2D Array

You write one method that traverses, analyzes or changes data in a 2D array, often of objects, using the classes described in the question. New since the course was revised for 2025–26 (first tested in May 2026): it's worth 6 points instead of 9, and points are no longer taken off as penalties.

On the exam: Question 4 of 4, 6 points. Section II has 4 free-response questions in 90 minutes (45% of the score), all assessing Practice 2 (Develop Code). The exam is fully digital in Bluebook: you type your Java, and the Java Quick Reference is provided. No calculator. Suggested time is our split of the 90 minutes by points; College Board gives no per-question timing. Plan on about 22 minutes for one.