January AP CSA Insider: FRQ Practice, Free Webinars, and More!

Jan 22, 2026

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2 min read

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📝 Start Tackling FRQs

At this point in the year, your students should know enough Java to be able to tackle some free-response questions (FRQs) and it is good to start the practice now.

Here are some tips to keep in mind as you work through FRQs with your students:

1. Solve practice problems: A great place to start is the CodeHS FRQ Center where you will find a selection of past AP CSA FRQs in two different formats: a runnable version that allows students to check their code, or a text-only version that will simulate the test a little better.

2. Work on timing: Let students take additional time for the first couple of FRQ practices, but you want to work them towards a 20-minute window for each FRQ question.

3. Understand the rubric: Make sure you take the time to look at the rubric. Point out how students receive points, how they lose points, and also discuss how they can pick up a point or two on exercises even if they don't know the entire solution. Oftentimes adding things like loops and return statements can pick up points even if the rest of the problem is not correct.

🪲 Teaching Tip: Debugging Challenges

Keep students engaged this winter by starting class with a high-energy “Error of the Day” puzzle. These collaborative warm-ups strengthen the “mental compiler” students need for the exam’s heavy emphasis on analyzing code. Mixing new logic challenges with previously learned concepts helps prevent “topic fade” and gives students frequent, low-stakes chances to recall fundamentals.

To implement these, take a solution from a prior lesson exercise or example and intentionally “break” it using a common student error. Share it via the Sandbox for a quick whole-class discussion, or post it as a Custom Assignment so it appears directly on their assignments page as a graded warm-up.

🎉 Celebrate Black History Month

In February, as we celebrate Black History Month, it is a good time to reflect on some of the Black leaders in technology.

If you are looking for a class activity, students can read about Jerry Lawson, the father of the video game cartridge, here.

✏️ AP CSA 26-27 PD Cohort

In the 2026-2027 school year, CodeHS is offering a year-long professional development cohort for AP CSA teachers! The cohort centers on teaching the CodeHS AP CSA Cortado course, with emphasis on updated College Board alignment, Java programming, and preparing students for AP exam success. Learn more about the cohort here.

🧠 AI Curriculum

CodeHS has AI courses and dozens of AI projects you can plug into your existing curriculum! By introducing AI in computer science classrooms you can prepare students for a technology driven world and students can learn that what may seem like magic is actually just programs and algorithms!

🧑‍🏫 Upcoming Free Webinars

AP CSA Professional Learning Community (PLC)

Join this quarterly meetup to collaborate with fellow AP CSA teachers on strategies for student success.

Feb 3, 2026 at 6:00 - 7:00pm CT- RSVP

Developing AI Literacy

Equip yourself with strategies to teach students about AI, its workings, limitations, and societal impact. Join the hour long webinar that guides educators on fostering AI literacy, preparing students for a tech-driven future.

Jan 27, 2026 at 5:30 - 6:30pm CT - RSVP