EXAM PREPARATION

High school CS exam tips

Practical strategies SmartFRQ students use to stay calm, manage time, and capture the points that matter most.

TIMING

Plan the full 180 minutes

Multiple choice (90 minutes)

  • • Spend ~2 minutes per question, flag anything longer.
  • • Use process of elimination to keep moving.
  • • Leave 10–15 minutes at the end to revisit marks.
  • • Reset focus every 10 questions to avoid rushing.

Free response (90 minutes)

  • • Budget roughly 22 minutes per FRQ.
  • • Read all four prompts before committing.
  • • Show work for partial credit even if you run out of time.
  • • Mentally trace your code before moving on.

AVOID THESE

Mistakes that cost points

Code-level issues

  • • Off-by-one errors in loops and ArrayLists.
  • • Forgetting to check for null before dereferencing.
  • • Returning early without covering every path.
  • • Mixing up assignment and equality operators.

Logic + rubric issues

  • • Skipping base cases in recursion or conditionals.
  • • Ignoring edge cases called out in the prompt.
  • • Using vague variable names that hurt readability.
  • • Not writing pseudocode when you're stuck (partial credit lost).

PREP HABITS

Build a routine that sticks

Practice weekly

  • • Do 1–2 FRQs with a timer.
  • • Review AI feedback right away.
  • • Track missed concepts in a doc.

Re-learn foundations

  • • Revisit Java Quick Reference.
  • • Drill ArrayList + 2D arrays.
  • • Teach concepts aloud (Feynman method).

Simulate test day

  • • Batch MCQs for 20-minute bursts.
  • • Practice writing clean pseudocode.
  • • Check work with deliberate pauses.

CHECKLIST

Before & during exam day

Before the exam

  • ☐ Review the Java Quick Reference document.
  • ☐ Complete at least one timed FRQ set.
  • ☐ Prep snacks, calculator (if allowed), and pencils.
  • ☐ Sleep 7–8 hours and avoid cramming morning-of.

During the exam

  • ☐ Read every prompt fully before coding.
  • ☐ Outline logic in comments if you need clarity.
  • ☐ Use meaningful variable names for graders.
  • ☐ Leave time to double-check syntax and logic.

NEXT STEP

Put these tips into practice

Load the SmartFRQ demo to apply the timing, structure, and review habits you just read through.

Start practicing freeReview plans