AP CSA Unit 2.3: If-Else Chains and Grade Assignment Practice
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Unit 2, Section 2.3
Day 3 Practice • January 9, 2026
🎯 Focus: if-else Chains
Practice Question
Consider the following code segment:
int grade = 75;
String result;
if (grade >= 90) {
result = "A";
} else if (grade >= 80) {
result = "B";
} else if (grade >= 70) {
result = "C";
} else {
result = "F";
}
System.out.println(result);What is printed as a result of executing this code segment?
What This Tests: Section 2.3 covers if-else chains. Once a condition is true and its block executes, all remaining else-if and else blocks are skipped. Only ONE branch executes.
Key Concept: If-Else Chain Execution
Java evaluates conditions top to bottom. The FIRST true condition's block executes, then the entire chain is done.
grade = 75
if (grade >= 90) // 75 >= 90? false → skip
else if (grade >= 80) // 75 >= 80? false → skip
else if (grade >= 70) // 75 >= 70? TRUE → execute!
result = "C"; // This runs
else // Skipped (already found true)Step-by-Step Trace
| Condition | grade=75 | Result | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| grade >= 90 | 75 >= 90 | false | Skip to next |
| grade >= 80 | 75 >= 80 | false | Skip to next |
| grade >= 70 | 75 >= 70 | true | Execute block! |
| else | - | - | Skipped |
Output: C
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Answer E (CF)
Only ONE branch executes in an if-else chain. Once 75 >= 70 is true and result = "C" runs, the else block is skipped entirely.
Order Matters!
If the conditions were reversed (checking >= 70 first), a grade of 95 would get "C"! Always order from highest to lowest threshold.
Practice Technique
Tracing If-Else Chains
- Start at the first if
- Evaluate the condition
- If true → execute that block, DONE
- If false → move to next else-if or else
- Repeat until you find true or reach else
Related Topics
- Section 2.1: Simple if Statements
- Section 2.4: Nested if Statements
- Section 2.5: Compound Boolean Expressions
Difficulty: Medium • Time: 2-3 minutes • AP Skill: 2.B - Determine code results
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