AP Exams Calculator Policy

Important to know:

• Only certain types and brands of calculators are allowed. Scroll down this page to see the list of approved handheld graphing calculators and the list of unapproved calculators. The proctor will check all calculators before the exam starts.
• 4-function calculators are basic calculators that have functions limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots, and percentage.
• Update for the 2025 AP Exams: For all exams that allow or require calculators, except AP Statistics, you can use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator through the Bluebook testing application. Note that for Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Precalculus, Desmos will only be available in the calculator-required parts of the exam. These exams continue to have parts where no calculator is allowed.
• You can bring up to 2 permitted calculators to the exam. Be sure to bring calculators that you’re familiar with and that are in good working order.
• You don’t need to clear your calculators’ memories before or after the exam.

Exam Day Rules:

• You can’t share calculators with other exam takers.
• You can’t use your calculator to communicate with other calculators.
• You can’t use calculator memories to take test materials out of the room. If you try to take test materials out of the room by any method, your scores will be canceled.
• If you don’t want to use a calculator, you may take an exam without one. 

Courses and Calculator Use

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 4-function calculator.

List of Approved Handheld Graphing Calculators

This list will be updated as necessary to include new approved calculators.

Casio

Hewlett-Packard

Radio Shack

Sharp

Texas Instruments

Other

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 4-function calculator.

*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 for details. However, students may bring any calculator on the list to the exam; any model within each series is acceptable. Only approved graphing calculators from the list are permitted for AP Calculus Exams.

This list will be updated as necessary to include new approved calculators. Check this list regularly before exam day to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

This list only includes approved graphing calculators. There is not an approved list of scientific (nongraphing) calculators.

Unapproved Calculators and Technology

Students are not allowed to use any of the following:

• Phones, smartwatches, or wearable technology of any kind
• 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.