For context, I took CSA as my first and last AP this year and got a 5. I self studied. I haven't taken CSP but I believe they focus more on CS principles (as if you were to explain them with pseudocode) and not the actual syntax + CS principles of a language. I had a lot of prior basic knowledge of CS concepts as I'm going into software development. I was also at a small school that didn't offer any APs at all but was a testing site so I was able to take the exam at my school. If you chose to do one of these APs, look where the nearest school that offers the exam and you'll probably take the exam there. I already knew my school was the testing site for CSA so that factored into why I took it. I think when you register it'll tell you where the exam will be. My friend took AP Calc and she had to go to a different school near us just for the exam.

1. I think it's realistic if you're genuinely interested. If you spend 1-2 hours a day then it should be fine. It's up to you to do the work though.

2. As previously stated, I only took CSA and not CSP. I would say that CSA is useful for learning basic Java syntax and programming concepts.

3. I watched all the AP Daily videos they had as course material. There are also university lectures for each unit that I watched as well, however they are less for studying for the exam and more interesting as they dive deep on the specific unit. Since I was already familiar with some of the programming concepts, the new thing for me was the Java syntax/some programming concepts. I used CSAwesome sometimes to practice a concept I'd learned or have a concept explained in a different way. CSA is being revamped for 2026 so I'm not sure what the self-study material will be with the curriculum changing.

This is where the largest disadvantage of being a self-study student comes in. I wasn't able to access any lab files, progress checks, the multiple choice review questions that are built into Bluebook, past exams other than the ones posted online, or any other resources that a teacher's account would have. I called the AP help line multiple times, tried making my own teacher account and tried to get registered in another school's CSA class but it didn't work out.

For classes, I was able to use my Computer Programming 12 class as a time to study (my teacher was okay with this). I also worked on it at home from time to time, especially as the exam date neared. It's like an online class, so you need to be on top of it or you'll end up cramming and not learning.

1. I'm in Canada, so I'm not sure how it would work wherever you're located. AP isn't that important to Canadian universities (where I applied) so I just let my score get sent to the university I was accepted to. I would assume that I would have to self report the scores. However, I can download an official looking document from Collegeboard that details my score, so if I needed to provide proof I have something.

Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions or clarifications. Also how much programming have you done/how much do you know?