AP CSA FRQ Guide
2014 FRQ 3: SeatingChart
Fill a seating chart from a list of students and remove absent students while preserving the prompt-specified seat order.
2D Array Construction and Compaction22 minute target2D arraysobjectslistsmutation
Skills Tested
What this FRQ is really practicing
2D arraysobjectslistsmutation
Treat these skills as the study checklist. If any tag feels shaky, review that topic before attempting the full written response.
Starter Approach
How to begin without copying a solution
- 1Constructor: place students into the 2D chart in the required order and leave extra seats null.
- 2Method: remove students above the absence threshold and return the number removed.
Write a first attempt before revealing any solution outline. Most AP CSA FRQ progress comes from tracing your own code and finding the missing case.
Common Mistakes
Mistakes to watch for while writing
Filling row-major when the prompt requires a different order.
Accessing a student-list index after all students have been placed.
Counting null seats as removed students.
Self Check
Review questions before you submit
Allocates the seats array using rows and columns.
The chart size comes from constructor parameters.
Tracks the current student-list index while filling seats.
Stop assigning when the list runs out.
Allows extra seats to remain null.
Do not read past the end of the student list.
Removes students whose absence count exceeds the threshold.
Set those seats to null and count them.
Practice Links