AP CSA FRQ Guide
2007 FRQ 3: StudentAnswerSheet
Score a multiple-choice answer sheet with credit for correct answers, penalties for incorrect answers, and no change for omissions, then return the name of a highest-scoring student.
ArrayList Scoring and Maximum Search22 minute targetArrayListString equalitydouble arithmeticobjectsmaximum search
Skills Tested
What this FRQ is really practicing
ArrayListString equalitydouble arithmeticobjectsmaximum search
Review these topics before attempting the problem.
Starter Approach
How to begin with your own plan
- 1Part A: compare answers with the corresponding key entries using String content equality.
- 2Award 1 point per correct answer, deduct 0.25 per incorrect answer, and leave the score unchanged for an omitted answer represented by a question mark.
- 3Part B: use getScore to find the highest-scoring answer sheet and return its student name; any tied highest scorer is acceptable.
- 4Handle negative scores correctly when initializing the maximum.
Attempt the problem before opening the solution.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to watch for while writing
Deducting points for omitted answers or comparing strings with ==.
Using integer arithmetic for the quarter-point penalty.
Initializing the highest score to zero even though every student may have a negative score.
Self Check
Review questions before you submit
Compares answer strings by their contents.
Use equals rather than reference equality.
Recognizes omitted answers.
The question-mark answer must not incur a penalty.
Represents the quarter-point penalty without integer division.
Accumulate scores using double arithmetic.
Uses score and name accessors to select the highest scorer.
Return a student name, not the numerical score.
Practice Links