AP CSP Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming | APCSExamPrep.com

AP CSP Course › Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming
AP CSP — Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

The largest Big Idea at 30-35% of the AP exam. Covers variables, lists, loops, conditionals, procedures, searching, sorting, and the limits of computation. Every topic has 5 MCQs, 5 FAQs, and code practice.

🎓 High School AP
🎯 30-35%
📚 18 Topics
🌐 CED Aligned
📈30-35% AP Exam Weight
🔎~14-17 MCQ questions per exam
📝CED: AAP-1 through AAP-4

🎓 Big Idea Overview

Big Idea 3 is the computational backbone of AP CSP. You will write and trace code in both Python and AP pseudocode, design algorithms from scratch, and understand the theoretical limits of what computers can and cannot compute. This Big Idea directly supports the Create Task -- every rubric row for the performance task is rooted in BI3 concepts.

Topics in Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming

3.1
Variables and Assignments
AAP-1.A, AAP-1.B
→
3.2
Data Abstraction
AAP-1.D, AAP-1.E
→
3.3
Mathematical Expressions
AAP-2.B, AAP-2.C
→
3.4
Strings
AAP-2.D
→
3.5
Boolean Expressions
AAP-2.E, AAP-2.F
→
3.6
Conditionals
AAP-2.G, AAP-2.H
→
3.7
Nested Conditionals
AAP-2.F
→
3.8
Iteration
AAP-2.J, AAP-2.K
→
3.9
Developing Algorithms
AAP-2.A, AAP-2.B, AAP-2.C
→
3.10
Lists
AAP-1.D, AAP-1.E, AAP-2.D
→
3.11
Binary Search
AAP-2.O
→
3.12
Calling Procedures
AAP-3.A
→
3.13
Developing Procedures
AAP-3.B, AAP-3.C
→
3.14
Libraries
AAP-3.D
→
3.15
Random Values
AAP-3.E
→
3.16
Simulations
AAP-3.F
→
3.17
Algorithmic Efficiency
AAP-4.A
→
3.18
Undecidable Problems
AAP-4.B
→

AP Exam at a Glance

Exam Weight
30-35% of the AP CSP exam
Approx MCQ Questions
~14-17 questions per exam
CED Standards
AAP-1 through AAP-4
Key Skills
Code tracing, algorithm design, abstraction, Create Task
AP CSP Teacher SuperpackSlides, lesson plans, unit tests for all 5 Big Ideas — $249
Get the Superpack →
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Big Idea 2: Data

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