How long is the AP CSP exam?
The AP Computer Science Principles exam is 3 hours long on exam day: 120 minutes for 70 multiple-choice questions, then 60 minutes for 2 written-response questions about your own project. The Create performance task is separate. You build it in class over about 9 hours and submit it online before the exam. The 2027 exam is Friday, May 14, in Session 1.
In more detail
The exam is fully digital in the Bluebook app. Section I has 70 questions with four answer options each: 57 single-select, 5 single-select based on a reading passage about a computing innovation, and 8 multiple-select where you choose 2 answers. At 120 minutes for 70 questions you have about 1 minute 43 seconds each. Section I counts 70 percent of your score.
Section II counts 30 percent and has two parts. The Create performance task is your program code, a video and a Personalized Project Reference, which you work on during the year with 9 hours of class time. You submit all three components as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, April 30, 2027. On exam day you answer 2 written-response questions with 4 prompts about your own code in 60 minutes, and you can look at your Personalized Project Reference while you do.
Calculators are not allowed on this exam unless you have an approved accommodation. Check-in and instructions come on top of the 3 hours, and accommodations such as extended time make the day longer.
AP Computer Science Principles exam timing (College Board, 2027)
| Part | When and where | Time | Questions | Share of score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: multiple choice | Exam day, in Bluebook | 120 minutes | 70 | 70% |
| Section II: written response | Exam day, in Bluebook | 60 minutes | 2 questions, 4 prompts about your Create task | 30% together with the Create task |
| Section II: Create performance task | During the school year, in class | 9 hours of class time | Program code, video and Personalized Project Reference | 30% together with the written response |
| Exam day total | Friday, May 14, 2027, Session 1 | 3 hours | 72 | - |
Step by step
- 1
Make sure all three Create components are final in the AP Digital Portfolio by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 30, 2027.
- 2
Install Bluebook and run a test preview on the device you will use before exam day.
- 3
Practice multiple-choice sets at the real pace, about 1 minute 43 seconds per question, in blocks of up to 120 minutes.
- 4
Rehearse the four written-response prompts on your own code in 60 minutes, with your Personalized Project Reference open.
- 5
A week before, ask your AP coordinator for your exact report time and room.
How StudyPDF helps
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See also
More questions
How long is the AP CSA exam?
AP Computer Science A is also 3 hours: 42 multiple-choice questions in Section I and 4 free-response questions in Section II. The 2027 exam is Wednesday, May 12, in Session 2.
Can you use a calculator on the AP CSP exam?
No. College Board does not allow calculators on AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A, unless a student has an approved accommodation for a four-function calculator.
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