This summer, University of Southern Maine Computer Science faculty member Dr. David Levine joined a select group of educators from across the country to grade the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A exam. His participation in this national effort reflects both a professional honor and a meaningful contribution to the advancement of computer science education.
The AP Computer Science A exam, administered by the College Board, is a rigorous assessment aligned with a first-semester college course in Java programming. It tests high school students on their ability to design and implement object-oriented programs, solve algorithmic problems, and apply fundamental computing concepts such as inheritance, arrays, ArrayLists, and recursion. The exam consists of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section—each worth 50%—and requires students to demonstrate not only knowledge of Java syntax but also the ability to reason through complex problems and communicate their solutions.
Levine spent a week alongside high school teachers and university faculty carefully scoring thousands of student submissions. “It’s a unique opportunity to see how students across the country think through code,” Levine said. “You begin to notice patterns—where students struggle, how they approach problems, and where strong teaching makes a real difference.”
Grading the AP exam is an intensive and collaborative process. Scorers use detailed rubrics created by the College Board and participate in calibration sessions to ensure fairness and consistency. For Levine, the experience also serves as professional development: “It sharpens your own teaching. You walk away with a better sense of how to communicate core concepts and how to prepare students not just to code, but to think computationally.”
For students, success on the AP Computer Science A exam can have a significant impact. A qualifying score of 3 or higher may earn college credit or advanced placement at many institutions, allowing students to save time and tuition by bypassing introductory courses. More broadly, a strong AP score signals that a student is ready for the demands of college-level STEM coursework. A top score of 5 identifies a student as “extremely well qualified”—a distinction that strengthens college applications and scholarship opportunities.
But the benefits of the AP Computer Science A exam extend beyond academic credit. As computing becomes increasingly central to modern life and work, the exam represents a gateway to careers in software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, and beyond. Students who pass the exam leave high school with practical skills in problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and software development—skills that are highly valued in today’s economy.
Levine’s participation also reflects positively on USM’s Department of Computer Science. By engaging directly with national standards and assessment practices, he brings valuable insight back to the classroom and helps ensure that USM remains aligned with the evolving expectations of both higher education and industry. His work reinforces USM’s commitment to high-quality, accessible computing education and to supporting student success from high school through college and into their careers.
We’re proud to have David Levine represent USM in this important national role—and even more proud of what it means for the students, colleagues, and future computer scientists he inspires.