AP CSA 2014 FRQ 2 Gameoflife

FRQ Archive2014 FRQs › FRQ 2: GameOfLife
2014 AP CSA • GridWorld (Deprecated)

AP CSA 2014 FRQ 2: GameOfLife

This FRQ used the GridWorld framework, which was removed from the AP CSA curriculum after 2014.

Skip this question for current exam preparation. For 2D array practice, see: 2019 FRQ 4 LightBoard, 2022 FRQ 4 Data, or 2024 FRQ 4 GridPath.

Classic Exam Note: Skip this FRQ. It uses the GridWorld case study, which was removed from the AP CSA curriculum after 2014. It is not representative of any current exam content.

Complete solution, scoring rubric, and walkthrough — verified from the official College Board PDF

0 Points N/A — Skip GridWorld (Deprecated) Classic Format (Pre-2019)
Question Type GridWorld (Deprecated)
Key Skills Conway's Game of Life implementation using the GridWorld framework. GridWorld was removed from the AP CSA curriculum aft
Difficulty N/A — Skip
AP CSA Units GridWorld case study — removed from AP CSA after 2014. Not relevant to the current exam.

What This Problem Asks

Conway's Game of Life implementation using the GridWorld framework. GridWorld was removed from the AP CSA curriculum after 2014 and is no longer tested. Skip this question for current exam preparation.

Official Question & PDF

Download Full 2014 FRQ PDF →

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Provided Code

// This question used the GridWorld framework (BoundedGrid, Actor, Location classes).
// GridWorld was removed from the AP CSA curriculum after 2014.
// Skip this question for current exam preparation.
Timer 22:00

This FRQ Is Not Relevant to Current Exams

GridWorld was removed from the AP CSA curriculum after 2014. This FRQ should not be used for current exam preparation. The neighbor-counting and grid update logic is algorithmically interesting, but the GridWorld framework it depends on is no longer part of the course.

Solution

// GridWorld removed from curriculum after 2014.
// See 2019-2025 FRQs for current-format 2D array practice:
// 2019 FRQ 4: LightBoard
// 2021 FRQ 4: ArrayResizer
// 2022 FRQ 4: Data
// 2023 FRQ 4: BoxOfCandy
// 2024 FRQ 4: GridPath
// 2025 FRQ 4: SumOrSameGame
For 2D array practice relevant to today's exam, see the 2019-2025 FRQ 4 problems linked above.

Exam Tips

Skip this question entirely when studying for the current AP CSA exam.
For equivalent 2D array practice, use 2019 FRQ 4 (LightBoard), 2022 FRQ 4 (Data), or 2024 FRQ 4 (GridPath).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GridWorld and why is it in 2014 FRQ 2?

GridWorld was a required case study in AP CSA from 2008 to 2014. It provided a framework of Actor, Critter, and Grid classes that students had to understand. College Board removed it from the curriculum after 2014. FRQ 2 from 2014 should be skipped entirely when studying for the current exam.

Is there any part of 2014 FRQ 2 useful for current exam prep?

The underlying algorithm (counting neighbors in a 2D grid, applying rules per cell) appears in similar form in post-2019 FRQ 4 questions. However, since the code in 2014 relies entirely on GridWorld classes, the question itself is not usable. Practice the equivalent logic using 2019 FRQ 4 (LightBoard) instead.

See All 2014 AP CSA FRQs

View the complete 2014 exam hub with solutions, difficulty analysis, and scoring for all four questions.

View 2014 FRQ Hub →

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