Graphing Calculators for AP Precalculus

The AP Precalculus Exam requires using a graphing calculator on Part B of Section I Multiple Choice and Part A of Section II Free Response.

Graphing calculators for AP Precalculus must be able to:

  • Perform calculations (e.g., exponents, roots, trigonometric values, logarithms)
  • Graph functions and analyze graphs
  • Generate a table of values for a function
  • Find real zeros of functions
  • Find points of intersection of graphs of functions
  • Find minima/maxima of functions
  • Find numerical solutions to equations in one variable
  • Find regressions equations to model data (linear, quadratic, cubic, quartic, exponential, logarithmic, sinusoidal, and plotting residuals)
  • Perform matrix operations (e.g., multiplication, finding inverses)
    • Note: Unit 4 (Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices) is not assessed on the AP Exam.

Technology should not replace the development of symbolic manipulation skills. When algebraic expressions and equations are accessible with precalculus-level algebraic manipulation, students are expected to find zeros, solve equations, and calculate values without the help of technology. Most of the AP Exam will need to be completed without the use of technology. However, selected multiple-choice and free-response questions will require students to use a graphing calculator to complete the tasks delineated above. 

Accessible technology that has the capabilities expected for AP Precalculus is available for students who are blind or visually impaired. This technology should be used during the course, and an accommodation request to use this technology on the AP Exam must be made through the College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). 

Approved Calculators for the AP Precalculus Exam  

The graphing calculators listed below—a subset of the full list of approved calculators—have the expected built-in capabilities for AP Precalculus.

Casio

FX-9750 series (G Plus, GA Plus, GII, GIII, and later)

FX-CG-20 series

FX-9860 series

FX-CG-50

CFX-9850 series

FX-CG-500
(Using a stylus is not permitted.)

CFX-9950 series

Graph35 series

CFX-9970 series

Graph75 series

FX 1.0 series

Graph95 series

Algebra FX 2.0 series

Graph100 series

FX-CG-10

 

Hewlett-Packard

HP Prime

NumWorks

NumWorks with Software Version 19.3 and higher

Sharp

EL-9900 series

Texas Instruments

TI-83

TI-Nspire

TI-83 Plus

TI-Nspire CX

TI-83 Plus Silver

TI-Nspire CX II

TI-84 Plus

TI-Nspire CX II-T

TI-84 Plus CE

TI-Nspire CM-C

TI-84 Plus CE Python

TI-Nspire CAS

TI-84 Plus Silver

TI-Nspire CX CAS

TI-84 Plus C Silver

TI-Nspire CX II CAS

TI-84 Plus T

TI-Nspire CX II-T CAS

TI-84 Plus CE-T

TI-Nspire CM-C CAS

TI-84 Plus CE-T Python Edition

TI-Nspire CX-C CAS

TI-89 Titanium

TI-Nspire CX II-C CAS

Only graphing calculators from the full list of approved calculators are permitted on the AP Precalculus Exam. Students may bring any graphing calculator on the approved list to the exam—any model within each series is acceptable.

This information is current as of February 2023.