Certain electronic computation devices are permitted for use during the Advanced Placement Chemistry Exam. These devices generally include graphing calculators, scientific calculators, and, in some cases, calculators with specific features. The College Board provides a regularly updated list specifying acceptable models, ensuring fairness and standardization across all test administrations. For example, a TI-84 Plus CE is typically permitted, whereas calculators with Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) are usually prohibited.
The allowance of these tools provides students with the capability to efficiently perform complex calculations, analyze data, and solve problems that would be impractical or time-consuming to complete manually within the exam’s time constraints. Historically, the availability of these devices has evolved from basic scientific calculators to more advanced graphing models. This reflects both the changing landscape of technology in education and the increasing complexity of quantitative analysis within the chemistry curriculum.