The exam is scored out of 150 points: 70 points from multiple-choice questions (about 70 questions) and 80 points from the Create Performance Task (a real coding project you complete during the school year). A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing and earns college credit at most institutions. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can help you develop strong coding practices throughout the year and review exam-style questions to boost your performance on test day.

Many 11th graders struggle with translating real-world problems into code, debugging logic errors, and understanding abstract concepts like data abstraction and algorithms. The Create Performance Task also challenges students to explain their code and design choices clearly—something that requires both technical skill and communication. Personalized 1-on-1 instruction helps students work through these challenges at their own pace, building confidence in both coding and test-taking.

The Create Performance Task requires you to design, code, and document a program that solves a problem or creates an innovation—and it counts for more than half your exam score. Success depends on choosing a manageable project, writing clean code with good comments, and clearly explaining your algorithm and design choices. Tutors can guide you through project selection, help you debug and optimize your code, and review your written responses to ensure they meet the College Board's rubric requirements.

Ideally, consistent preparation throughout the school year—starting in September or October—gives you time to master each unit and build strong coding habits before the exam in May. Many Charlotte students benefit from tutoring in the fall and winter to solidify foundational concepts, then focus on practice exams and the Performance Task in spring. Even if you're already into the school year, personalized instruction can help you catch up on weak areas and maximize your score.

Effective practice includes solving coding problems regularly (not just reading solutions), taking full-length practice exams under timed conditions, and reviewing past AP exam questions to understand the question format and style. For the Performance Task, practice building small projects from scratch and writing clear documentation. Tutors can provide targeted practice based on your weak areas, help you understand why you missed questions, and teach you time-management strategies so you finish the exam confidently.

Look for tutors with strong computer science backgrounds—ideally those who've taught AP Computer Science Principles, scored well on the exam themselves, or work in tech fields. They should understand the College Board's curriculum and rubric, be able to explain complex concepts clearly, and have experience helping students with the Performance Task. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in Charlotte who know the AP exam inside and out and can tailor instruction to your learning style.

Your first session is typically a chance to assess where you stand—your coding comfort level, which topics feel strongest and weakest, and what your goals are (improving overall understanding, boosting your exam score, or completing the Performance Task). The tutor will ask about your learning style and what you've struggled with so far, then create a personalized plan. From there, you'll dive into targeted instruction on the areas that need the most work, whether that's debugging skills, algorithm design, or exam strategy.