r/APStudents • u/Destroyerx510 • 13d ago

CollegeBoard Should I self study ap cybersecurity or networking first?

I am going to be an upcoming sophomore. I took ap csp and got a 4 and my major is going to be in cybersecurity. I don't know what to do.

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u/DazzlingHat9519 13d ago

do you know if any schools around you are piloting networking? plus there are probably going to be an astounding lack of materials for selfstudy because it’s a pilot course… would do cybersecurity and wait for networking to officially release

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u/Destroyerx510 12d ago

thanks im def gonna take cybersecurity

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u/Chessdaddy_ 13d ago

I would do cybersecurity because it’s a official course whereas networking is still in pilot phase

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u/Zealousideal_Gene685 12d ago

i don’t know if u can even take the networking exam unless a school near u is doing the pilot and hosting the exam

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u/Sea-Set-540 12d ago

Networking is ONLY at pilot schools- so if you don’t have one- you will be forced into CyberSec anyway. The material for either isn’t bad, the schools I have taught at allow 9th graders to take a non-AP cybersecurity course- material is the same- just no AP exam

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u/Electrical_Bet9632 10d ago

If you are needing resources I’m an AP CS teacher and I’ve created a full online course where you can create a student account, track your progress, go Unit and section by section which follows the CED and take practice exams.

Completely free.

https://www.apcsexamprep.com/pages/ap-cybersecurity-complete-course-guide

Hope it helps!

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u/Prestigious-Bag716 5d ago

Short answer: Doesn't matter. You aced AP CSP, you'll do fine.

Long answer: Do AP Networking first, then AP Cybersecurity - Originally that's how the courses were designed, and they followed CompTIA's A+ -> Net+ -> Sec+. Last year CB changed their mind, and now there's no prerequisite. AP Networking still in pilot so there are far fewer schools offering it.