<p>CodingBat helps students make the connection between method calls and method headers.  The first time I put a student (either a teenager or a brand new-to-programming teacher in one of my workshops) in front of CodingBat, they try to use the parameter value in their solution instead of using the argument in the method header.  I also value the site for encouraging students to go through the tests in order to find their bugs.  I want that experience to translate into them making up test cases to check their work for when they are writing their own methods on paper.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-23T15:08:05.147Z
2017-07-23T15:08:05.147Z
CS Cheerleader
<p>They've got an AP-1 category which is based on past FRQs. Not the whole question, but pieces. I'd make sure you hit every one in that category during the year. The String-2 and Array-2 are also good. </p>

<p>I use CodingBat and similar questions as warm-ups all year long. We start pretty much as soon as students are able to fill in a method. </p>

<p>Pretty much anything that involves looping through strings or arrays will help them with the test in May. Usually 2 or 3 of the FRQs involve iterating through some type of list structure and doing something with the values. I try to get my students to a point where they really don't have to think about loops, they just type on when they need it. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-04T01:27:32.500Z
2017-06-04T01:27:32.500Z
Ryan Nutt
<p>I love the CodingBat platform and plan to integrate it throughout my course next year. Yet, since it will be my first year with AP CS A and I have not yet had a chance to study past years' FRQs, I'm not sure which sections I should focus on more than others. </p>

<p>Based on your experience, what sections of CodingBat are most helpful in terms of preparing students for the FRQs on the AP Exam?</p>

<p>(Note: I am asking about the problems already on the site, not ones I could author myself -- that's a separate topic as I see it.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-04T01:07:39.247Z
To be honest, I don't consider codingbat to be a great resource for APCS A FRQs.  The FRQs are not about standalone methods, they are about integrating various components together, and that is not really what CodingBat does.
Ben I.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-04T01:09:48.310Z
Good to know. Would you say they have a general benefit? If so, I'll revise my question.
Peter
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-04T01:26:55.317Z
Oh, certainly - I usually assign a section at a time, because they are grouped together as a bunch of short problems that all deal with one skill.
Ben I.
<java><ap-computer-science-a>
Most beneficial CodingBat problems for AP CS A FRQs
# Most beneficial CodingBat problems for AP CS A FRQs

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-06-04)

I love the CodingBat platform and plan to integrate it throughout my course next year. Yet, since it will be my first year with AP CS A and I have not yet had a chance to study past years' FRQs, I'm not sure which sections I should focus on more than others.

Based on your experience, what sections of CodingBat are most helpful in terms of preparing students for the FRQs on the AP Exam?

(Note: I am asking about the problems already on the site, not ones I could author myself -- that's a separate topic as I see it.)

**Tags:** java, ap-computer-science-a

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: To be honest, I don't consider codingbat to be a great resource for APCS A FRQs.  The FRQs are not about standalone methods, they are about integrating various components together, and that is not really what CodingBat does.  
> **username_0**: Good to know. Would you say they have a general benefit? If so, I'll revise my question.  
> **username_1**: Oh, certainly - I usually assign a section at a time, because they are grouped together as a bunch of short problems that all deal with one skill.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-06-04. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

They've got an AP-1 category which is based on past FRQs. Not the whole question, but pieces. I'd make sure you hit every one in that category during the year. The String-2 and Array-2 are also good.

I use CodingBat and similar questions as warm-ups all year long. We start pretty much as soon as students are able to fill in a method.

Pretty much anything that involves looping through strings or arrays will help them with the test in May. Usually 2 or 3 of the FRQs involve iterating through some type of list structure and doing something with the values. I try to get my students to a point where they really don't have to think about loops, they just type on when they need it.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-07-23. Score: 2

CodingBat helps students make the connection between method calls and method headers. The first time I put a student (either a teenager or a brand new-to-programming teacher in one of my workshops) in front of CodingBat, they try to use the parameter value in their solution instead of using the argument in the method header. I also value the site for encouraging students to go through the tests in order to find their bugs. I want that experience to translate into them making up test cases to check their work for when they are writing their own methods on paper.


---

