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Find the Best Calculator for AP* Statistics and Calculus
Students are expected to bring a graphing calculator to the AP Statistics
Exam and to the AP Calculus Exam. These calculators should have
specific computational capabilities. The College Board has prepared a
list of calculators that have all of the capabilities needed for
both exams.
Evaluation of Approved Calculators
We found many of the AP-approved calculators at Amazon.com,
and evaluated each on the following criteria.
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Price: The price of a new or used calculator, as of
September 3, 2010.
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User rating: From 1 (unacceptable) to 5 (excellent).
Evaluation findings are summarized below.
User ratings and prices are current, as of September 3, 2010.
Recommendations
The best calculator for you depends on your personal needs. Here are some things
to consider.
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Cost. If you want a new calculator at a low price, choose the FX-9750GPLUS. If you want a used calculator at a low price, choose the FX-9750GPLUS.
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User satisfaction. The highest rated calculators were the FX-9750GPLUS, CFX-9850GC PLUS, FX-9860GSLIM, F2229AA#ABA, 39G+, TI86, TI83PLUS, TI83PLUSSILVER, TI-89, TI-84 PLUS, TI-84 PLUS SILV, all with a satisfaction rating of 4.5.
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Peace of mind. If you are looking for a calculator with a favorable satisfaction score based on ratings from at least 100 users, consider the F2229AA#ABA, the TI83PLUS, the TI83PLUSSILVER, or the TI-89. Each of these calculators received a satisfaction score of 4.5.
- Extra features. And finally, if you want it all, consider Texas Instruments' TI-89. This calculator has favorable user ratings plus advanced functionality not found in other models. It may be the best choice, if you plan to use the calculator for other advanced courses or for real-world engineering applications.
One More Thing . . .
It is important for each student to bring an AP-approved graphing calculator
to the exam. Here's why.
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The test developers assume that students will have an
approved calculator. Students without a calculator will be at a disadvantage.
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Non-graphing scientific calculators, portable computers, and devices with
QWERTY keyboards (e.g., TI-92 plus, TI-Voyage 200) are not permitted. Proctors
will check calculators before the exam.
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