Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java

As the author has indicated, this book is best used as an accompaniment to the actual APCS course in school. I had hoped that this book would give my son a jumpstart over the summer before he begins the actual course in the Fall. It contains good information with plenty of sample coding. However, it does reference programming terms (e.g., OOP, compiler, boolean) that a beginner would not necessarily grasp easily if used as a self-study guide. Given my own programming background, I am able to elaborate on key concepts as needed to help develop his comprehension. I can see why the previous version of this book received high marks from tutors and teachers. Unless you have some programming background, I would not recommend this book as a self-study guide.

This is a good review book for last-minute review. Just reading the solutions doesn't help as much as this book could use more problem sets (that are more like the actual questions tested). This book also excludes some topics that are very important. A line warns you that there's an increased focus on algorithms "once again" but based on the 2015 AP, you absolutely need to be proficient in algorithms to succeed. That's not to say it was not helpful. It has pretty good tips. I would recommend using this book along with Barron's AP CSA. If you want to use just one book, go with Barron's.

Firstly I want to say that I got a 4 on the APUSH Exam. But probably would've gotten a five if I had purchased this book a month earlier. In just a few weeks I was able to catch up in late April.The practice tests in the back are GOLD. The are different from the AP exam published on the college board website. In addition, the answers are in the back and explained thoroughly. The book also directs you to specific questions released by collegeboard for extra-practice. The multiple choice questions are on point; every topic the book hit was covered on the exam, the short answers questions closely paralleled the AP test as well.

This book has awesome practice tests that really do prepare you for the test, but the background information isn't super helpful. The tests are harder than the actual test. They really helped me. (I got a 5) Do as many of the practice tests as possible and you'll be fine. If you need more review, use the Barron's book, but don't stick to memorizing definitions too much.

My school's computer science program was a bit lackluster. Most people in the class goofed off and there was no formal instruction. Accordingly, with about a month until the AP, I started using this book to fill in the gaps of what I self taught myself. I got a 5 on the AP, so it prepared me rather well considering it was my main study material. It covered all the material and I did not see anything unexpected.

Maira Litvin did a great job working on this book. The explanations are down to earth and the review questions are decent. I would recommend adding in some higher rigor questions to match that of the AP exam, but this book does a great job at the basics and intermediate level.

Very generalized explanations, I would recommend as a supplementary book to supplement what you learned in class and to take full advantage of the practice exams included before May. I currently use it after every unit in class to make sure I understand the concepts. This book also includes very good test taking tips. I would still highly recommend purchasing a Barron's prep book along with this one.

This is an excellent book, I use it in conjunction with the Litvin's other AP book for class.