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AP CSA FRQ Guide

2024 FRQ 2: Scoreboard

Write a complete Scoreboard class for a game with two teams. The class stores team names, scores, and the active team, updates state after each play, and returns a formatted game status string.

Complete Class and Object State22 minute targetclass writingconstructorsinstance variablesString returnstate updates
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Skills Tested

What this FRQ is really practicing

class writingconstructorsinstance variablesString returnstate updates

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

  1. 1Write the complete class, including private state for team names, scores, and whose turn is active.
  2. 2The constructor initializes both teams with zero score and makes the first team active.
  3. 3recordPlay adds positive points to the active team, or switches active team when points is 0.
  4. 4getScore returns the score and active team name in the required hyphen-separated format.

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

Forgetting that a score of 0 switches turns and does not add points.
Switching turns after every play, even when points are scored.
Using local variables in the constructor instead of instance variables.
Returning the active team score first instead of always team 1 score then team 2 score.
Missing one of the hyphens in the formatted getScore result.

Self Check

Review questions before you submit

Uses the correct public class header.

The response should define the complete Scoreboard class.

Stores both team names as String state.

Use instance variables so getScore can access both names later.

Stores separate scores for both teams.

Two int scores or an int array can work.

Tracks which team is active.

A boolean, int, or active-team String can represent the current turn.

Includes a constructor with two String parameters.

The constructor name must match Scoreboard exactly.

Initializes scores to zero.

New games begin with a 0-0 score.

Defines recordPlay with void return type and one int parameter.

recordPlay mutates state and does not return a value.

Switches active team when points is zero.

A failed play changes whose turn it is.

Practice Links

Where to go next

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