Customer Reviews

Addison-Wesley's Review for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java (2nd Edition)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm writing this review because the most recent review is three years out of date and all three were written prior to the 3rd ed. being published. The review (142 pages) is concise and covers topics for both the AP Computer Science A and AB exams. Also included is a chapter on the GridWorld case study. Each of the 21 review sections is followed by a set of 5 practice questions. There are six (3 A and 3 AB) practice exams with 40 multiple-choice questions, 4 free-response questions, solutions and a grading rubric for the free response questions. Also included are a set practical hints for students, glossary and index. I recommend this book for my AP students. One cautionary note; make sure you are ordering the 3rd edition. GOOD LUCK ON THE EXAM!!!

This is an okay book, it has a good review(and not very long like Barron's book), good questions, and adequete tips for both the multiple choice [section] and the free response. One big problem I had with this book is that there are NO explanations for any of the answers to the questions. If there is a review book for any test and no explanations for any of the answers it hase a serious problem. Also, there wasn't anything that showed you how to grade the practice tests, not even how to calculate a raw score. At least show us how to calculate a raw score, then we will have just some idea of how well we are doing. If you are going to buy this book I would suggest buying either Litvin's or Barron's (though it reteaches you the material) book along with this book.

This book includes good review sections that are short and concise. It also includes four excellent practice exams: two for A and two for AB. Unlike some review books, descriptions of problems are very clear. The free response questions are about the level of actual exams, while the multiple-choice problems may be slightly easier than actual ones.

As pointed out by other reviews, the book does not include MBS case study. It also does not provide explanations on the answers. It could also improve the review section by adding some more details; yet still keep the reviews in its concise style.

The Practice Exams in this book are good in general, but be careful they don't include the Marine Biology Simulation Case Study at all. (Litvin's book does cover the MBS case study adequately.)