Update ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027.mdx

Author: sonnynomnom

blogs/2026/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027.mdx

@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-title: "AP Computer Science Exam 2026-2027: Everything You Need to Know!"
+title: "AP Computer Science Exam 2026-2027: Everything You Need to Know"
 description: Learn everything you need to know about the AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles Exams for the 2026-2027 school year.
 author: Ellie Popoca
 seoImageLink: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/codedex-io/blog/74955e06f3f456a3cc672ea665ee1e8c15cf6ab4/blogs/2026/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027/images/cover_apcs_guide.png
@@ -12,41 +12,64 @@ tags:
 
 Hey everyone! [Ellie](https://www.codedex.io/@ellie) here~ 
 
-The AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles Exam dates are finalized, which means you might be taking the class or self studying this upcoming academic school year! 
+The **AP Computer Science A** and **AP Computer Science Principles** exam dates have officially been finalized, which means you might be taking one of these courses – or self-studying for the exam – this upcoming school year!
 
-I got a 5 when I took the AP CS A exam back in 2021, so I'll give you some of my tips & tricks to do well, and ace the exam! And P.S, it's not as hard as they make it out to be! 
+I got a **5 on the AP CS A exam** back in 2021, so I’m going to share some of my favorite tips & tricks to help you prepare and ace the exam. And psst... it’s not as hard as they make it out to be!
 
 This guide will cover:
-- [AP CS A vs Principles](#ap-cs-a-vs-ap-cs-principles)
-- [Topics covered in AP CS A & Dates](#topics-covered-in-ap-cs-a-&-dates)
-- [Topics covered in AP CS Principles & Dates](#topics-covered-in-ap-cs-principles-&-dates)
+
+- [AP CS A vs. AP CS Principles](#ap-cs-a-vs-ap-cs-principles)
+- [Topics covered in AP CS A + dates](#topics-covered-in-ap-cs-a-&-dates)
+- [Topics covered in AP CS Principles + dates](#topics-covered-in-ap-cs-principles-&-dates)
 - [Ellie's *foolproof* self-study guide](#ellie's-foolproof-self-study-guide)
 - [Resources](#resources)
 
 Let's get into it! 
 
+---
+
 ## AP CS A vs. AP CS Principles
 
+<ImageZoom src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/codedex-io/blog/74955e06f3f456a3cc672ea665ee1e8c15cf6ab4/blogs/2026/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027/images/apcs_img_2.png" />
+
 If you're choosing between the two classes, or you've decided on which exam to self-study for, let's break down the differences for each class, and briefly see what they cover:
 
 ### AP Computer Science A
 
-**AP Computer Science A** is the first AP Computer Science course introduced in 1984 with the programming language Pascal. Up until 2003, the exam covered the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, and algorithm implementation in C++. In 2004, College Board made the switch to Java, which is the language you'll be learning in this course. 
-
-
-You'll learn Java from the ground up, focusing on object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language. Note that AP Computer Science A is equivalent to an introductory college course in computer science. 
+**AP Computer Science A** was the first AP Computer Science course, introduced in 1984 using the programming language Pascal. Up until 2003, the exam covered the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, and algorithm implementation in C++. In 2004, College Board made the switch to [Java](https://codedex.io/java), which is the language you'll be learning in this course.
+
+You'll learn Java from the ground up, focusing on **object-oriented programming** and **program design**.
+
+Note that AP Computer Science A is designed to be equivalent to an intro college-level CS course.
+
+<div
+  style={{
+    display: "flex",
+    justifyContent: "center",
+    marginBottom: "1.2rem",
+    transform: "scale(.9)",
+  }}
+>
+  <a
+    href="https://www.codedex.io/java"
+    style={{ all: "unset" }}
+    target="_blank"
+    and
+    rel="noopener noreferrer"
+  >
+    <Button variant="yellow">Learn Java</Button>
+  </a>
+</div>
 
 ### AP Computer Science Principles
 
-<ImageZoom src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/codedex-io/blog/74955e06f3f456a3cc672ea665ee1e8c15cf6ab4/blogs/2026/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027/images/apcs_img_2.png" />
+**AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP)**, on the other hand, is a much newer course introduced in 2016. In this course, you'll learn how to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through making programs. 
 
-AP Computer Science Principles, on the other hand, is a much newer course introduced in 2016. In this course, you will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through making programs. 
-
-The AP CS Principles exam and course is considered to be much more _conceptual_. Depending on your instructor, or what you decide to learn, you'll be learning block coding to learn programming concepts rather than a language like Java or Python. 
+The AP CS Principles exam and course is considered to be much more **conceptual**. Depending on your instructor, or what you decide to learn, you'll be learning block coding to learn programming concepts rather than a language like Java or Python. 
 
 <ImageZoom src="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/codedex-io/blog/74955e06f3f456a3cc672ea665ee1e8c15cf6ab4/blogs/2026/ap-computer-science-exam-2026-2027/images/apcs_img_1.png" />
 
-This class will go in depth about the internet, how networks work, and how different pieces of technology come together. Expect not to go in depth into a programming language. 
+This class will go in depth about the **internet**, **computer networks**, and **how different pieces of technology come together**. Expect not to go in depth into a programming language. 
 
 ### What Should You Pick? 
 
@@ -55,25 +78,22 @@ If you're thinking about majoring in computer science in college, I highly recom
 AP Computer Science Principles is a great introduction course. If you're interested in the idea of computer science, and not sure if you want to commit to AP Computer Science A, this course will introduce you to what technology is, and how it affects the world around us. Think of it as learning the concepts of computer science versus the programming language. 
 
 Here are a few example questions from the AP Computer Science Principles exam:
-<blockquote>
-Which of the following best explains how data is typically assembled in packets for transmission over the Internet?
-</blockquote>
 
-<blockquote>
-Which of the following school policies is most likely to have a positive impact on the digital divide?
-</blockquote>
+> _Which of the following best explains how data is typically assembled in packets for transmission over the Internet?_
+
+> _Which of the following school policies is most likely to have a positive impact on the digital divide?_
 
-<blockquote>
-A Web site uses several strategies to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing user accounts. Which of the following is NOT an example of multifactor authentication?
-</blockquote>
+> _A Web Site uses several strategies to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing user accounts. Which of the following is NOT an example of multifactor authentication?_
 
 Now, let's see what each course covers for the 2026-2027 school year. 
 
+---
+
 ## Topics Covered in AP Computer Science A
 
 📆 **Exam Date:** Wednesday, May 12, 2027 at 12 PM local time 
 
-Heads up: if you took a peek at an older prep book, things have changed! The College Board revised AP CS A starting with the 2025-26 school year, and consolidated what used to be ten units down to just four. 
+Heads up: if you took a peek at an older prep book, **things have changed!** The College Board revised AP CS A starting with the 2025-26 school year, and consolidated what used to be ten units down to just four. 
 
 Here's the current breakdown, along with how much of the exam each unit is worth:
 
@@ -84,23 +104,27 @@ Here's the current breakdown, along with how much of the exam each unit is worth
 
 ### Exam Format
 
-The AP CS A exam is 3 hours long and split into two sections:
+The AP CS A exam is **3 hours long** and split into two sections:
 
-- Section I: Multiple Choice: 
+- **Section I: Multiple Choice**
   - 42 questions
   - 90 minutes
   - 55% of your score
-- Section II: Free Response (FRQs): 4 questions, 90 minutes, 45% of your score
+- **Section II: Free Response (FRQs)** 
+  - 4 questions
+  - 90 minutes
+  - 45% of your score
 
 Note that the four FRQs always follow the same pattern: Methods and Control Structures, Class design, Data Analysis with ArrayList, and 2D Array.
 
 
 ## Topics Covered in AP Computer Science Principles
 
 **📆 Exam Date:** Friday, May 14, 2027 at 8 AM local time
-🚨 Create Performance Task Deadline: Friday, April 30, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
+**🚨 Create Performance Task Deadline:** Friday, April 30, 2027 at 11:59 PM ET
 
 AP CSP is organized into five "Big Ideas" instead of units:
+
 - **Big Idea 1:** Creative Development 10-13%
 - **Big Idea 2:** Data 17-22%
 - **Big Idea 3:** Algorithms and Programming 30-35%
@@ -117,6 +141,8 @@ The **Create Performance Task** is a program that you design and build during th
 
 This is why that April 30th deadline matters so much: **there is no makeup** for the Create Task! 
 
+---
+
 ## Ellie's Self-Study Guide
 
 Whether you're taking the class or self-studying for either exam, know that you can go at your own pace when studying for the exam.  
@@ -145,6 +171,8 @@ Explain [concept I don't understand] like I'm a beginner, with an analogy.
 
 Try it out in [https://codedex.io/lumi](https://codedex.io/lumi)! 🧚
 
+---
+
 ## Resources
 
 Here's everything I would have bookmarked right now if you're enrolled in either class: 
@@ -156,8 +184,7 @@ Here's everything I would have bookmarked right now if you're enrolled in either
 - [Java Challenge Packs](https://www.codedex.io/challenges): Practice problems for you to challenge what you know
 - [Lumi](https://www.codedex.io/lumi): Ask her for some practice problems! 
 
-
-Seriously wishing you all the BEST of luck! The community is here to help every step of the way! ✨
+Seriously wishing you all the BEST of luck! The community is here to help you every step of the way. ✨
 
 Best,
 Ellie