AP Exams Calculator Policy

View calculator policies for AP Exams.

Calculators can be used on all or some parts of the AP Exams listed here (and on no others).

  • Four-function calculators are basic calculators that have functions limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots, and percentage.
  • For subjects that allow or require graphing calculators, students should check the list of approved graphing calculators; they may bring only approved models.
  • Students may bring up to two permitted calculators. They should bring calculators they’re familiar with and that are in good working order.
  • Calculators may not be shared.
  • Calculator memories do not need to be cleared before or after the exam.
  • If a student doesn’t want to use a calculator or if the option of providing a calculator isn’t feasible, the student may take an exam without one. However, if a student chooses to take an exam without a calculator, the student must hand copy, date, and sign the Calculator Release Statement, which is in the AP Coordinator’s Manual, Part 2.

Courses and Calculator Use

CourseType of calculator allowedSection I Multiple ChoiceSection II Free Response
BiologyFour-function calculator (with square root), scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
Calculus ABGraphing calculatorRequired for Part BRequired for Part A
Calculus BCGraphing calculatorRequired for Part BRequired for Part A
ChemistryA scientific calculator or graphing calculator is recommended; a four-function calculator is allowed but not recommended.Allowed Allowed
Environmental ScienceFour-function (with square root), scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
MacroeconomicsA four-function calculator is allowed. Scientific calculators, graphing calculators, and calculators with storage capabilities are not allowed.AllowedAllowed
MicroeconomicsA four-function calculator is allowed. Scientific calculators, graphing calculators, and calculators with storage capabilities are not allowed.AllowedAllowed
Physics 1Four-function, scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
Physics 2Four-function, scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
Physics C: MechanicsFour-function, scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
Physics C: Electricity & MagnetismFour-function, scientific, or graphing calculatorAllowedAllowed
Precalculus

Graphing Calculator

See the complete calculator policy for the new 2023-24 AP Precalculus Exam.

Required for Part BRequired for Part A
   
StatisticsGraphing calculator with statistical capabilities. Nongraphing calculators are permitted if they have the required statistics computational capabilities described in the AP Statistics Course and Exam Description (effective Fall 2020).ExpectedExpected

Calculators are not allowed for any other AP Exams, including Computer Science A and Computer Science Principles, unless a student has an approved accommodation for use of a four-function calculator.

2023-24 List of Approved Graphing Calculators

This list will be updated as necessary to include new approved calculators. Check this list periodically, and before the administration of the exams, to ensure that students have the most up-to-date information.

Casio
FX-6000 SeriesFX-6200 SeriesFX-6300 Series
FX-6500 SeriesFX-7000 SeriesFX-7300 Series
FX-7400 SeriesFX-7500 SeriesFX-7700 Series
FX-7800 SeriesFX-8000 SeriesFX-8500 Series
FX-8700 SeriesFX-8800 SeriesGraph25 Series
FX-9700 Series*FX-9750 Series*FX-9860 Series*
CFX-9800 Series*CFX-9850 Series*CFX-9950 Series*
CFX-9970 Series*FX 1.0 Series*FX-CG-10*
Algebra FX 2.0 Series*FX-CG-20 Series*FX-CG-50*
Graph35 Series*Graph75 Series*Graph95 Series*
Graph100 Series*FX-CG500* (The use of the stylus is not permitted) 
 
Hewlett-Packard
HP-9GHP-28 Series*HP-38G*
HP-39 Series*HP-40 Series*HP-48 Series*
HP-49 Series*HP-50 Series*HP Prime*
Radio Shack
EC-4033EC-4034EC-4037
Sharp
EL-5200EL-9200 Series*EL-9300 Series*
EL-9600 Series* (The use of a stylus is not permitted)EL-9900 Series* 
Texas Instruments
TI-73TI-80TI-81
TI-82*TI-83*/TI-83 Plus*TI-83 Plus Silver*
TI-84 Plus*/TI-84 Plus CE*TI-84 Plus CE Python*TI-84 Plus Silver*
TI-84 Plus C Silver*TI-84 Plus T*TI-84 Plus CE-T Python Edition*
TI-84 Plus CE-T*TI-85*TI-86*
TI-89*TI-89 Titanium*TI-Nspire*/TI-Nspire CX*
TI-Nspire CX II*TI-Nspire CX II-T*TI-Nspire CAS*
TI-Nspire CX CAS*TI-Nspire CM-C*TI-Nspire CM-C CAS*
TI-Nspire CX-C CAS*TI-Nspire CX II CAS*TI-Nspire CX II-T CAS*
TI-Nspire CX II-C CAS*  
Other
Datexx DS-883MicrontaNumWorks*
Smart2  

* Graphing calculators with the expected built-in capabilities for AP Calculus are indicated with an asterisk. See the AP Calculus AB and BC Course and Exam Description (effective Fall 2020) for details. Only approved graphing calculators from the list are permitted for AP Calculus Exams.

This list only includes approved graphing calculators. There is not an approved list of scientific (nongraphing) calculators. Note that scientific (nongraphing) calculators must not have unapproved features or capabilities.

Proctors are required to check calculators before the exam. Therefore, it is important for each student to have an approved calculator. Calculators may not be shared, and communication between calculators is prohibited during the exam.

Students must not use calculator memories to take test materials out of the room. Students who attempt to remove test materials from the room by any method will have their exam scores canceled.

Unapproved Calculators and Technology

Students are not allowed to use any of the following*:

  • Phones, smartwatches, or wearable technology of any kind
  • Portable/handheld computers, tablets, laptops, electronic writing pads
  • Models with QWERTY (i.e., typewriter-like) keypads as part of hardware or software (e.g., TI-92 Plus, Voyage 200)
  • Models with pen-input/stylus capability (e.g., Palm, PDAs, Casio ClassPad)
  • Models with wireless, Bluetooth, or cellular capability
  • Models that require an electrical outlet, “talk,”*  or make noise, or have a paper tape
  • Models that can access the internet
  • Models that have cell phone capability or audio/video recording or playing capability
  • Models that have a camera, scanning capability, or any other smartphone-type features
  • Models with touch-screen capability that aren’t on the list of approved graphing calculators (e.g., Casio ClassPad)
  • Hardware peripherals such as a stylus, keyboard, or wireless adapter with an approved calculator

* Unless approved by the College Board SSD office as an accommodation

For security reasons, some calculators require special instructions.

  • Calculators with large display (characters ≥1") or display raised from the horizontal (tilted or hinged screen) may be visible to other students so seat students using these calculators at the back of the testing room.
  • Calculators with infrared communication capabilities are permitted. However, because data can be exchanged between these calculators if they are aligned and close together, proctors should make sure that students keep their calculators sufficiently far apart and the infrared ports are not facing each other.
  • Calculators with built-in physical constants, metric conversions, and physics, chemistry, or mathematics formulas are permitted. Calculator memories do not need to be cleared before or after the exam.
  • The Hewlett-Packard 48-50 Series and Casio FX-9860 graphing calculators may use memory cards designed for use with those calculators.
  • The Casio FX-CG500 calculator is permitted only without the use of the stylus.

School-Supplied Backup Calculators

Proctors should have a supply of extra AP-approved calculators and fresh batteries on exam day. You should be able to provide a substitute calculator when:

  • A student arrives without a calculator
  • A student arrives with an unacceptable calculator
  • A calculator malfunctions during the administration

If the student is unable to use the offered calculator, or is unfamiliar with its operation, or you’ve run out of or don’t have spare calculators and still have students that need them, call AP Services for Educators immediately.