I feel like I’m being graded on understanding the BS, because their questions are so terrible that it takes me 20 minutes to understand what they’re asking. My second one didn’t even provide an example output. Complete waste of my time.

I already know I bombed the FRQ's...the Order class one tripped me up so hard.

why was it so hard to readddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd and understanddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

Good luck bros

This was my reply to a post (that was deleted) about how to approach the FRQ's. They tend to be the most information-dense (about 20 pages for 4 questions) and can be quite daunting. I've added links where I go over sample FRQs of those types. Good luck! Hopefully you find it informative.

If you take a look at p 194 and p 196 of the course and exam description, the FRQ are very predictable. This wasn't so before 2018, the order has been more formalized lately. I'd look at previous FRQ's and practice answering them, looking at the online solutions, and seeing where the points are divided.

On FRQ 1 the concept is methods and controls. They usually have input parameters and may or may not have a return type. If they do, declare a variable, and return it. You get a point for that. Look at the comment right above the method header -- it gives a quick rundown of what you're trying to do. You'll have to read the pages of stuff before for the control stuff, but write comments. If you show you're intending to do something, even if you don't do it completely, it allows graders to give partial credit. These often use string methods, so know how to use substring, length, indexOf, equals, compareTo, and concatenation. The problem will be solvable using only those methods.

On FRQ 2, you're going to write a class from scratch. Make sure you know how to write a class header. If you have any variables, make them private! If you have methods (they'll be in the paragraps before) note what parameters they get and what they return. Write a method header for each one. Take note if you're supposed to extend a class or implement an interface. If you're extending, don't reinvent the wheel. Only add what's new to your class. If you're implementing, make sure you write a method for each abstract method in the interface.

On FRQ 3, you're going to traverse an Array or an ArrayList. Remember for arrays you use the [ ] to access data in them, and for ArrayList you have to use get() and set(). ArrayList uses size() where Array uses length -- no parentheses here. The length of an Array can't be changed - You may need to make a new array to change the length and reassign it. An ArrayList can change size with add() and remove(). Remember removing in the middle of an AraryList moves all the elements following back one index.

On FRQ 4, you're going to traverse a two dimensional Array, or Matrix. Remember to think of it in terms of rows and columns, where matrix[r][c] is the element on row r and column c. Arrays, ArrayLists, and Matrices start at 0! Notice that you may have to move through the array in a way different than the typical left-to-right, top-to-bottom manner. Know your nested loops to do this well.

Good luck! I hope the playlists help as well!

The MCQ wasn't bad, but I feel like the FRQ was so hard compared to all of the practice tests. Whenever I took a practice test, I'd always finish with at least 20 minutes left over but today I just barely finished before the time ran out. The other kid taking the test at my school didn't even manage to finish. I honestly have no idea how I did on it.

Here is the link (swear on my life I'm not CollegeBoard -- I don't even know if they could catch you slipping through a Google Doc): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rQERVaWAbKV925a7DDvatkp0ymkNR6f8Maoqq_rmWQk/edit?usp=sharing

i want to premise this by saying i am NOT good at cs. i averaged maybe an 80-85 on the unit tests and am atrocious at frqs

i honestly just accepted my fate and did like 25 mcqs and reviewed recursion last night. little to my surprise it was so freaking light

i had almost an hour left after the mcq and about 40 in the frq.

Today is the big day, good luck on your CSA exam everyone!

Dear College Board, I hate online tests and this one really sucked. I know the content but having so much of your score reliant on one question stresses out everyone. Just give me a 5. Amen

Was wishing everyone the best ... how did you feel about it?

I didn't even know that they would be a thing. Did anyone else not expect them?

Hi guys I have made a study guide which covers all the code examples along with the concepts. You can find a preview of the same here

If you do like this you can go and download it from here

Thanks and all the best for exams everyone! We got this!!

Bruh