No, calculator programs are generally not allowed on AP exams. The College Board's policy restricts the use of handheld calculators that have storage capabilities, which would typically be required to store and run custom programs.
Understanding AP Exam Calculator Policies
The regulations surrounding calculator use on AP exams are designed to ensure fairness and assess a student's understanding of concepts rather than their ability to use pre-programmed solutions.
Permitted Calculators
For certain sections of some AP exams, specific types of calculators are allowed:
- 4-function calculators are permitted for designated sections or entire exams where only basic arithmetic is needed. These calculators do not have programming or advanced storage capabilities.
- For digital exams administered through the Bluebook testing application, a built-in Desmos graphing calculator is provided digitally when permitted for a specific exam or section. This integrated tool is part of the testing environment and not a personal program brought by the student.
Prohibited Calculators and Features
The policy explicitly disallows handheld calculators that possess features beyond basic arithmetic for general use. This includes:
- Scientific calculators with storage capabilities: While many scientific calculators perform complex operations, those that can store programs or extensive data are not permitted.
- Graphing calculators: These devices typically have significant storage, memory, and programming functions, making them generally disallowed. The core reason for this restriction is to prevent students from having an unfair advantage by using pre-loaded formulas, complex algorithms, or problem-solving programs.
Why Calculator Programs Are Not Allowed
The primary reasons for prohibiting calculator programs are rooted in maintaining exam integrity and focusing on core competencies:
- Ensuring a Level Playing Field: Disallowing programs prevents students from gaining an unfair advantage through pre-loaded solutions or advanced functions that bypass the need for direct computation or conceptual understanding.
- Assessing Conceptual Understanding: AP exams aim to evaluate a student's grasp of mathematical and scientific principles, problem-solving skills, and ability to perform necessary calculations manually or with approved basic tools. Relying on programs can circumvent this assessment.
- Preventing Misuse: The potential for storing notes, formulas, or full solutions within a calculator's programming capabilities makes them a risk for academic dishonesty.
Summary of Calculator Use on AP Exams
The table below summarizes the general policy regarding different types of calculators and programs on AP exams:
| Calculator Type | Allowed on AP Exams | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4-function calculator | Yes (for specific exams/sections) | Ideal for basic arithmetic; no programming or advanced storage capabilities. |
| Scientific calculator (with storage/programming) | No | Prohibited due to storage and programming features that could provide an unfair advantage. |
| Graphing calculator (with storage/programming) | No | Prohibited due to extensive storage, memory, and programming capabilities. |
| Built-in Desmos graphing calculator | Yes (digitally via Bluebook) | Provided within the digital testing platform for relevant exams; not a personal program. |
| Calculators with custom programs | No | Any calculator capable of storing and running user-defined programs is generally disallowed. |
For the most precise and up-to-date information regarding calculator policies for specific AP exams, always refer to the official AP Students website provided by the College Board.
