Day 6: FRQ Strategy | AP CSA 7-Day Cram Kit

DAY 6  |  FRQ Strategy

FRQ = 45% of your score  |  4 questions  |  90 minutes  |  ~22 min each

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Your Plan for Today

STEP 1Review All 4 FRQ Types (20 min)

Read the overview table below.

Visit the FRQ archive on the site.

apcsexamprep.com/pages/ap-csa-frq-archive

Look at one scored example from each year: 2023, 2024, 2025.

STEP 2Timed FRQ Set (60 min)

Set a timer for 22 minutes per FRQ. Write on paper. Stop when the timer hits even if not finished.

FRQ 1 (Class): 2025 FRQ 1 — URL: apcsexamprep.com/pages/ap-csa-2025-frq-1-solution

FRQ 3 (ArrayList): 2023 FRQ 3 — URL: apcsexamprep.com/pages/ap-csa-2023-frq-3-weather

STEP 3Score and Diagnose (10 min)

Score both using the rubric links above.

-> FRQ 1 below 5 pts: reread class creation section. Redo 2024 FRQ 1.

-> FRQ 3 below 5 pts: reread ArrayList removal patterns from Day 1.

-> Both above 6 pts: you are ready. Move to Day 7.

FRQ Overview

FRQ Type What You Will Write Key Skill
1 Methods and Class Methods for a class; may write a full class Constructors, accessors, mutators
2 Methods and Control Flow Methods using arrays, loops, conditions Loops, if/else, accumulators
3 ArrayList ALWAYS ArrayList -- add, remove, traverse list.get, list.add, list.remove, list.size
4 2D Array Traverse, search, or modify a 2D array Nested loops, grid[r][c]

The Four Rules That Earn You Points

Rule 1: Never Leave a Part Blank
  • Each FRQ is scored on a rubric where individual points are earned for specific things.
  • You can earn points for a correct loop even if your condition is slightly wrong.
  • A blank earns zero. A partial attempt earns something.
  • If stuck: write the method header, write a loop structure, write a comment explaining your intent.
Rule 2: Use Methods from Earlier Parts
  • If Part B says 'you may use the method from Part A', USE IT -- even if Part A is wrong.
  • Call it exactly as defined. The grader assumes Part A works when scoring Part B.
  • This is one of the most common ways students leave free points on the table.
Rule 3: Match the Method Signature Exactly
  • If the prompt says: public int countWords(String s) -- write EXACTLY that.
  • Wrong signature = 0 points on that part, even if the body is perfect.
Rule 4: Compilation Is Not Required
  • Your code does not have to compile to earn points.
  • Graders look for correct logic and correct syntax in the parts that matter.
  • A missing semicolon does not cost you the point.

Fill-in Templates

Pattern: Traversal + Accumulator (FRQ 2, 3, 4)

// Works for arrays AND ArrayList -- swap [] for .get() as needed
int total = 0;                          // initialize BEFORE the loop
for (int i = 0; i < data.length; i++)  // or data.size() for ArrayList
{
   if (/* condition */)
   {
      total += data[i];                 // or data.get(i) for ArrayList
   }
}
return total;                           // OUTSIDE and AFTER the loop

Pattern: Build and Return a New ArrayList (FRQ 3)

// Declare the result list BEFORE the loop -- do NOT return null
ArrayList result = new ArrayList();
for (int i = 0; i < source.size(); i++)
{
   if (/* condition */)
   {
      result.add(source.get(i));
   }
}
return result;
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