Game Scoring and Free Response Strategies

This video tutorial, led by Rob Schultz and Tim Gallagher, focuses on solving a free response question from the AP Computer Science A exam. The instructors explain the Level and Game classes, detailing their methods and instance variables. They guide viewers through implementing the 'get score' method in Part A and the 'play many times' method in Part B, providing examples and scoring rubrics. The video emphasizes understanding the problem, using correct instance variables, and applying the right algorithms to earn points.

What are the four types of free response questions in the AP Computer Science A exam?

• Method and control structures, class implementation, array, and 2D array

• Loops, conditionals, recursion, and sorting

• Inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction

• Data structures, algorithms, software design, and testing

Which method in the Level class returns a boolean indicating if the player reached the goal?

• play

• isBonus

• goalReached

• getPoints

What is the purpose of the isBonus method in the Game class?

• To check if the game is a bonus game

• To simulate the play of a game

• To calculate the total score

• To initialize the game levels

In Part A, what happens to the score if the game is a bonus game?

• The score is doubled

• The score is tripled

• The score remains the same

• The score is halved

What is the first step in implementing the getScore method?

• Calculate the total points for each level

• Check if the game is a bonus game

• Initialize the score to zero

• Return the final score

In Part B, what does the playManyTimes method return?

• The total score of all games played

• The average score of all games played

• The highest score from the games played

• The lowest score from the games played

What is the role of the play method in the playManyTimes implementation?

• To reset the game levels

• To calculate the score of the game

• To determine if the game is a bonus game

• To simulate the play of a single game

What should you do if you don't understand every part of a free response question?

• Guess the answers

• Rewrite the question

• Skip the question entirely

• Attempt the parts you understand

Why is it important to underline important points and star instance variables?

• To make the exam look neat

• To save time during the exam

• To ensure you use the correct variables

• To impress the examiner

What is a key takeaway for approaching free response questions?

• Write as much code as possible

• Read questions carefully and manage your time

• Ignore the rubric points

• Focus only on the parts you find easy