The Exam Curriculum Groups Pricing About Namrata Reviews FAQ AP CS Principles 1-on-1 Tutoring Blog Reserve Your Spot
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AP Computer Science A | May 15, 2026

Crack the AP CS A Exam in 4 Weeks

Expert-led crash course with a maximum of 5 students per group, personalized coaching, graded homework, and a full mock exam.

Live online via Zoom from anywhere, or in-person in Kirkland, Bellevue and the greater Seattle area.

Registration for this cohort is closed. Need last-minute AP CS A help? Book a 1-on-1 session.

10+Years Teaching
700+Hours Tutored
4.8β˜…Wyzant Rating
APCS Reader
AP CS A Exam In
00Days
00Hours
00Mins
00Secs
May 15, 2026

About the AP CS A Exam

The AP Computer Science A exam tests Java programming skills under time pressure. Here's exactly what's on it, and why preparation matters.

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Section I: Multiple Choice

40 questions  Β·  1 hour 30 minutes  Β·  50% of your score

Tests reading comprehension of Java code, tracing output, and identifying errors, all under time pressure.

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Section II: Free Response

4 questions  Β·  1 hour 30 minutes  Β·  50% of your score

You write real Java code. Questions cover classes, arrays, ArrayLists, and 2D arrays. Partial credit is awarded.

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Topics Tested

OOP & Classes Arrays ArrayLists 2D Arrays Inheritance Polymorphism Recursion Algorithms Strings
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Why Students Struggle

Java syntax under timed conditions, subtle FRQ grading criteria, and unexpected edge cases trip up even prepared students.

Only ~22% of test-takers score a 5. Targeted prep makes all the difference.

Built to Get You a 4 or 5

This isn't a passive lecture series. Every session is interactive: you write code, make mistakes, and get corrected in real time. With only 5 students per group, there's nowhere to hide (and no reason to).

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    Who it's for: Students currently in AP CS A who want targeted exam prep, or students who've taken intro Java.
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    Prerequisite: Basic Java knowledge; you should know what a class and method are.
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    Max 5 students: You get real feedback, not just a live recording.
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    Graded homework: Weekly FRQ-style assignments returned with written feedback.
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    Mock exam: Full timed simulation in Week 4; know your score before exam day.
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    AP Reader instructor: Namrata grades real AP CS A exams for College Board; she knows exactly how the rubric works.

Why Small Groups Change Everything

Most test prep dumps 20–30 students into a room and calls it a class. We cap at 5.

  • βœ“ Your specific misconceptions get corrected on the spot
  • βœ“ Instructor adapts pace to the room, not a fixed script
  • βœ“ Homework feedback is personal, not generic
  • βœ“ Peer learning: 4 other serious students to collaborate with

Groups fill quickly. Once 5 spots are taken, enrollment closes.

How It Works

1

Pick Your Group

Choose the schedule that fits; join online from anywhere or in-person in the Seattle area.

2

Reserve & Get Ready

Fill out the contact form to reserve your spot. You'll receive a setup guide: install Java and your IDE before the first class.

3

Show Up and Ace It

Attend all 4 weeks, complete the homework, take the mock exam, then walk into May 15 with confidence.

Week-by-Week Curriculum

Every topic maps directly to what appears on the AP exam. We move fast but leave no one behind.

Week 1

April 18–20
  • Java syntax review & gotchas
  • Classes, objects, constructors
  • Instance vs. static methods
  • Method overloading
  • Scope, data types, operators

Week 2

April 25–27
  • 1D Arrays: traversal & algorithms
  • ArrayList methods & iteration
  • 2D Arrays: row/column logic
  • String methods (substring, indexOf…)

Week 3

May 2–4
  • Searching & sorting algorithms
  • Recursion: tracing & writing
  • FRQ strategy & common patterns
  • Timed FRQ practice

Week 4: Exam Ready

May 9–11
  • Timed multiple-choice drill
  • Full mock FRQ under exam conditions
  • Personalized score review & strategy

What's Included

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    12 Hours Live Instruction

    All sessions with Namrata, not a TA or substitute.

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    Weekly Graded Homework

    FRQ-format assignments returned with written feedback after each week.

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    Course Notes & Cheat Sheets

    Concise reference sheets for every major topic, yours to keep.

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    Practice Problem Sets

    Curated problems at increasing difficulty for every topic covered.

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    Full Mock Exam (Week 4)

    Timed, full-length practice exam with score review and strategy session.

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    Q&A Support Between Sessions

    Stuck on homework? Reach out via email for clarification.

Requirements

Come prepared. A setup guide will be emailed after enrollment.

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    Laptop Required: Every Session

    Windows or Mac. You will write and run code during class.

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    Java JDK Installed

    Java 17+ recommended. Step-by-step setup guide sent after enrollment.

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    IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse

    IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition (free) recommended. Eclipse also works.

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    Basic Java Knowledge

    You should know what a class, method, and variable are. This is exam prep, not intro programming.

Choose Your Group

All groups run April 18 – May 14, 2026. Each is capped at 5 students to ensure personal attention. Select the one that fits your schedule.

πŸ’» Online, Zoom

Online — Weekday

πŸ“… Tuesdays & Thursdays, Apr 21 – May 14 β–Ύ
Tue Apr 21 Β· Thu Apr 23 Β· Tue Apr 28 Β· Thu Apr 30 Β· Tue May 5 Β· Thu May 7 Β· Tue May 12 Β· Thu May 14
πŸ•“ 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM PT
⏱️ 1.5 hrs/session · 8 sessions · 12 hrs total
🌐 Zoom link sent after enrollment
🏫 In-Person

Kirkland

πŸ“… Every Saturday, Apr 18 – May 9 β–Ύ
Apr 18 Β· Apr 25 Β· May 2 Β· May 9
πŸ•‘ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM PT
⏱️ 3 hours/session · 4 sessions · 12 hrs total
πŸ“ Kirkland Downtown
ℹ️ Exact address shared with enrolled students
🏫 In-Person

Bellevue

πŸ“… Every Sunday, Apr 19 – May 10 β–Ύ
Apr 19 Β· Apr 26 Β· May 3 Β· May 10
πŸ• 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM PT
⏱️ 3 hours/session · 4 sessions · 12 hrs total
πŸ“ Bellevue Downtown
ℹ️ Exact address shared with enrolled students
🎯 Custom

Custom Group

πŸ‘₯ Groups of 3–6 students
πŸ“… Schedule set by your group
πŸ“ In-person or online, your choice
πŸ’¬ Pricing based on group size & schedule

Have a group ready? We'll build a group around your schedule and location. Reach out via the contact form below.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One price. Everything included. No surprises.

Course Fee
$500
Book 1-on-1 Tutoring →
  • βœ“ 12 hours live instruction
  • βœ“ Graded weekly homework
  • βœ“ Course notes & cheat sheets
  • βœ“ Practice problem sets
  • βœ“ Full mock exam (Week 4)
  • βœ“ Email Q&A support

100% refund by April 5 Β· 80% refund before first class Β· No refunds after start or for no-shows. Questions? Contact us.

Meet Namrata Poladia

Namrata Poladia
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4.8

Namrata Poladia

Computer Science educator, programmer, and AP CS A and AP CS Principles specialist based in Kirkland, WA.

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    7 years as Computer Programming Instructor at Washington Preparatory School
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    10+ years total experience as a high school CS instructor
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    Specialized in AP Computer Science A (Java), multiple groups coached through the exam
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    College Board AP Reader, selected to score official AP CS A exam submissions, giving her direct insight into exactly how answers are graded
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    4.8/5 rating across 266 student reviews on Wyzant, 710+ tutoring hours
"As an AP Reader, I grade real exam submissions for College Board; I know precisely what earns points and what doesn't. I bring that insider knowledge into every session."
Namrata Poladia

What Students Say

Real feedback from real students. Reviews sourced from Wyzant.

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Within a few lessons we see good progress in Java programming. Namrata is patient, clear, and truly knows how to break down complex concepts. Highly recommended.
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Anita
AP CS A student Β· 39 sessions
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Kind, patient tutor skilled at teaching programming. She understands the importance of active learning; we don't just watch, we code.
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Lillian
Java student Β· 15 sessions
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Ensures my son understands topics before moving on. His Java understanding and confidence improved significantly over the course of working with Namrata.
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Annie
Parent of AP CS A student Β· 30 sessions
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Best tutor ever. Her teaching makes me want to learn more; she makes programming interesting and fun instead of intimidating.
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Dmitry
Java student Β· 11 sessions
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Very prompt, well-prepared, patient, and understanding. Namrata always comes with multiple levels of prepared material depending on where I am.
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Scott
CS student Β· 35 sessions
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My son improved two full grade levels. She teaches based on real understanding; he actually gets it now instead of just memorizing patterns.
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Keith
Parent of CS student Β· 14 sessions
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Namrata assisted me through some very difficult AP Computer Science concepts and challenging Java assignments. Clear explanations every single time.
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Anne
AP CS A student Β· 9 sessions
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I went into the AP exam thinking I'd get a 2 or 3. After the crash course, especially the mock exam in the last week, I scored a 4. The FRQ section finally clicked for me.
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Jason M.
AP CS A Crash Course Β· Class of 2025
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The small group format is what made this different. In my school's class there are 30 kids; here Namrata could see exactly where I was making mistakes and fix them immediately.
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Priya S.
AP CS A Crash Course Β· Online group
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Namrata's graded homework assignments were genuinely useful; she marked up exactly what was wrong and why. Walking into the real exam felt like I'd already done it before.
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Ethan R.
AP CS A Crash Course Β· Kirkland group

Frequently Asked Questions

No, this is exam prep, not an intro course. Students should already have basic Java knowledge: you should know what a class, method, and variable are. If you're currently enrolled in AP CS A at school, you're a great fit.
We strongly encourage attending all sessions; the material builds week over week. Course notes for every session are provided. If you need to miss a session, coordinate with us in advance and we'll try to find space for you in one of the other groups that week.
Not mandatory, but strongly encouraged. Weekly FRQ-style homework assignments are graded and returned with personal written feedback; this is one of the highest-value parts of the course. Students who skip homework consistently underperform on the mock exam.
100% refund if you cancel by April 5, 2026. 80% refund if you cancel after April 5 but before the first class. No refunds after the course has started or for no-shows.
Exact venue addresses are shared with enrolled students after registration. Locations are in Kirkland Downtown (Kirkland group) and Bellevue Downtown (Bellevue group). Parking details are included in the welcome email.
Group switches are possible subject to availability in the target group. Contact us as early as possible if your schedule changes; we'll do our best to accommodate.

Still Need AP CS A Help?

Registration for this cohort is closed

The 4-week AP CS A crash course is no longer accepting new students. If you still need help before the May 15 exam, 1-on-1 tutoring with Namrata is available online and in-person.

πŸ“… AP CS A Exam: May 15, 2026
Book a 1-on-1 tutoring session

Personalized AP CS A prep with Namrata, online or in-person in Kirkland, Bellevue, Redmond & Bothell. View 1-on-1 Tutoring →