The Create Performance Task (guided)

The Create Performance Task

• The Create Performance Task is a small program you design and build yourself.
• For the real AP exam you submit it (your code, a video, and written answers) through the AP Digital Portfolio.
• Important: the real task is graded by AP, not by this site. This lesson only helps you practice and structure it.

What your program must include

• A list (or other collection) that stores many values together.
• A procedure (a function) that takes at least one parameter, and that you call in your code.
• An algorithm with selection (if) inside iteration (a loop).
• Some input and some output so the program does something useful.

Pick a small idea

• Keep it simple: you only need to show the skills above, not build a huge app.
• Good ideas: grade a list of scores, total a shopping list, sort students into teams, count words.
• Choose data you understand, so you can explain it later.

A starter scaffold

• The program below has all the required parts. Read the comments to find each one.
• It uses a fixed list so it runs the same every time (no live typing needed here).
• Run it, then change the data and rules to make it your own.

# 1) A LIST that stores many values
scores = [72, 95, 58, 88, 40, 67]

# 2) A PROCEDURE with a PARAMETER, that returns a result
def grade_for(score):
    # selection inside the procedure: choose a letter for one score
    if score >= 90:
        return "A"
    elif score >= 70:
        return "B"
    elif score >= 50:
        return "C"
    else:
        return "F"

# 3) An ALGORITHM: SELECTION (if) INSIDE ITERATION (for loop)
pass_count = 0
for s in scores:                 # iteration: visit every score
    letter = grade_for(s)        # call the procedure with a parameter
    if letter != "F":            # selection: is this a pass?
        pass_count = pass_count + 1
    print(f"score {s} -> grade {letter}")   # output

# More output: a summary
print(f"{pass_count} out of {len(scores)} passed")

Make it your own

• Change the list to your own data (and try a different length).
• Change the procedure: new rule, new parameter name, or return something else.
• Change the algorithm: count something new, or keep only items that pass the if.
• Add input if you like, for example input("Enter a name: ").

Written-response prompts

• Answer these about your own program (this is the kind of writing the real task asks for):
• Purpose: What does your program do, and why is it useful?
• List: What does your list store, and how does using one list (instead of many separate variables) make the program simpler to manage?

More written-response prompts

• Procedure & parameter: Name your procedure. What is its parameter, and what does the procedure do with it? What does it return?
• Algorithm: Describe the algorithm inside your loop in your own words. Point to where it uses selection (if) and where it uses iteration (the loop), and say why both are needed.

Rubric checklist

• Tick each item once your program has it:

[ ] A list (or collection) is used in the program
[ ] A procedure is defined WITH at least one parameter
[ ] That procedure is CALLED somewhere in the program
[ ] The procedure does real work (not empty)
[ ] An algorithm uses selection (if) INSIDE iteration (a loop)
[ ] The program has input and/or output
[ ] I can explain every part in my own words

You can do this

• Start small, run it often, and fix one thing at a time.
• When every box above is ticked, you have the structure the Create Task needs.
• Remember: practice here first, then submit the real task through the AP Digital Portfolio.

Common mistakes

• Plan the program's purpose first, then build in small tested pieces.
• Be ready to explain what each part of your code does.

Now you try

• A warm-up: assemble the required parts once, using the scaffold's example data.
• Press Check answer to confirm every required part is there.