Personal Study Blog

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AP CSP Study Planning

How I’ve Been Studying

  • I’ve been actively engaging with the lessons by completing the MCQs given by college board
  • I also review and do the hacks for the lessons we have been doing this tri to ensure I understand all of the differnt topics collegeboard can ask.
  • For each of the topics after the lesson, I go to the college board MCQs I have done and practice questions from that topic.
  • This approach has helped me better improve my understanding of the topics and has allowed to give me good MC scores.

Big Idea 5 Summaries

Beneficial and Harmful Effects

  • Learned how computing innovations can have both positive and negative impacts.
  • Explored examples like social media and its influence on mental health and communication.
  • Reflected on the responsibility of developers in innovation.

Digital Divide

  • Understood disparities in access to technology and the internet.
  • Discussed real-world implications like education and economic inequality.

Computing Bias

  • Learned how bias can enter algorithms through data and design choices.
  • Discussed examples like facial recognition and hiring algorithms.
  • Explored ways to reduce bias through testing and diverse data sets.

Crowdsourcing

  • Understood how data and solutions can be collected from a large group of people online.
  • Explored platforms like Wikipedia and open-source projects.
  • Recognized the power and potential drawbacks of public collaboration.
  • Studied laws related to computing like copyright and privacy regulations.
  • Reflected on ethical concerns in data use, AI, and user consent.
  • Practiced identifying ethical dilemmas in tech scenarios.

Safe Computing

  • Learned best practices for personal digital security (e.g., strong passwords, two-factor authentication).
  • Discussed risks like phishing, malware, and social engineering.
  • Emphasized responsible online behavior and digital citizenship.

Big Idea 3 Summaries

Binary Search Algorithms

  • Learned how binary search efficiently finds elements in sorted lists. Cuts list in half repeatedly until it finds the target.
  • Compared binary search to linear search in terms of performance (O(log n) vs O(n)).
  • Practiced implementing binary search using conditionals and loops.

Lists and Filtering Algorithms

  • Practiced using lists and filtering to process and extract data.
  • Understood how to apply selection and iteration concepts.
  • Used algorithms to solve problems involving search and data handling.

Big-O

  • Learned how to analyze algorithm efficiency using Big-O notation. O(1), O(log n), O(n), O(n^2), O(n log n), O(n!).
  • Compared different algorithms in terms of performance and scalability.
  • Recognized the importance of writing optimized code.

Random Algorithms

  • Explored how randomness is used in computing (e.g., simulations, games).
  • Discussed unpredictability and fairness in randomized solutions.

Simulations

  • Understood how computer models simulate real-world systems.
  • Applied simulations to problems like climate models or traffic patterns.
  • Learned how assumptions and limitations affect accuracy.

Undecidable Problems

  • Discovered that some problems cannot be solved by any algorithm.
  • Studied examples like the Halting Problem.
  • Understood the boundaries of what computing can and cannot do.

Graphs and Heuristics

  • Graphs model relationships using nodes (vertices) and edges (connections); used in pathfinding (Google Maps), web ranking (PageRank), and network routing.
  • Complete Graph: Every pair of nodes is directly connected.
  • Adjacency Matrix (2D array of 0s/1s) vs. Adjacency List (each node stores a list of neighbors).
  • Heuristics are smart shortcuts for solving complex problems when exact solutions are too expensive.
  • Examples of heuristics: Nearest Neighbor (TSP), Greedy Algorithms (Coin Change), and Heuristic Search (using distances like Manhattan or Euclidean).

MCQs Scores Reflection

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  • I mastered a majority of the skills during the MCQs.

Skills I can Imporve on

  • However one skill I missed out on multiple MCQs was skill 4.C: Identify and correct errors in algorithms and programs, including error discovery through testing. This skill fallls under the topic 1.4 Identifying and Correcting Errors
    • I can improve on this skill by continuing to code and help others fixing bugs in code.

Skills that weren’t present in the test:

  • Skill 4.A: Explain how a code segment or program functions.
  • Skill 6.A: Collaborate in the development of solutions.
  • Skill 6.B: Use safe and secure methods when using computing devices.
  • Skill 6.C: Acknowledge the intellectual property of others.
    • I can improve these skills by practicing other MCs by collegeboard.

How I Plan to Continue Studying for the AP Exam

  • Continue practicing more multiple-choice questions to build speed and accuracy.
  • Review specific topics missed in the MCQs
  • Start answering Free Response Questions (FRQs), and practice with FRQ wording.
  • Review key vocabulary/ CPT Wording
  • Work with peers to review MCQs to learn what I was making mistakes on.