Approved Calculators for AP Calculus Exam

Yo, I'm getting ready for my AP Calc exam and don't want to overlook any detail. Which calculators are approved for the test? I want to practice with the exact same model that I'll use on exam day.

Hey! The College Board has an exact list of authorized calculators that can be used on the AP Calculus exam. Here they are by category:

1. Graphing calculators: All graphing calculators from Texas Instruments are approved, including but not limited to the TI-83 and TI-84 Plus series. Other approved brands include Casio, Sharp, and Hewlett-Packard, but you should make sure to check the exact model.

2. Scientific Calculators: The TI-30 series is a commonly used example but models from other brands such as Casio, Sharp, Hewlett-Packard, and Kenko are also allowed. You would want to make sure that you double check the series and exact model for this category as it's less clear-cut.

Of course, you are free to use any calculator that's on the approved list, but graphing calculators, like the Texas Instrument TI-83 or TI-84, are often recommended because of their ability to graph functions, which could be useful during the exam.

However, you should remember that while the AP exam allows for calculator use in one of the sections, your proficiency in calculus concepts is more vital. Be comfortable and well-practiced with whatever calculator you decide to use to enhance your performance, not to rely solely upon.

And since it's always prudent to be prepared for any eventuality, make sure you know how to do as many calculations by hand as possible. You never want to be totally dependent on your calculator, because if your battery happens to die on exam day, you need to still secure those points! Good luck in your preparation!