Things to Put on Ap Chemistry Calculator
Preparing for the AP Chemistry exam requires careful planning, especially regarding what to bring to the testing center. Beyond your ID and admission ticket, there are specific items you should consider putting on your calculator to maximize your performance.
Essential Items to Bring
While the College Board provides a basic calculator, you may want to bring additional items to ensure you're fully prepared:
- Scientific calculator (if allowed by your school)
- Graph paper or graphing software
- Highlighter and colored pens
- Notebook for rough calculations
- Eraser and sharpened pencil
Always check with your teacher or school administration about what items are permitted in the testing room.
Recommended Calculator Settings
Configuring your calculator properly can save time during the exam. Here are the recommended settings:
- Set to "science" mode
- Turn off any unnecessary functions
- Set to display 4-5 significant figures
- Enable statistics functions if needed
- Save your preferred settings as a template
Example: For a calculation involving logarithms, ensure your calculator is set to base 10 unless specified otherwise.
Formula Sheets
While the College Board provides a formula sheet, you might want to bring additional reference materials:
- Printed copy of the AP Chemistry equation table
- Periodic table with atomic masses
- Common chemistry constants
- Conversion factors
- Graphing templates
Review the AP Chemistry formula sheet before the exam to identify which formulas you'll need to memorize.
Additional Study Materials
Bringing these materials can help reinforce your understanding:
- Chemistry textbook chapters
- Lecture notes and slides
- Practice exam questions
- Study guides and flashcards
- Chemical reference books
Organize these materials in a way that allows quick reference during the exam.
Exam Day Tips
Follow these tips to make the most of your exam day:
- Arrive early to settle in and review materials
- Stay calm and focused during the exam
- Pace yourself to complete all sections
- Double-check your answers before submitting
- Review the scoring guidelines for each question type
Pro Tip: Allocate specific time limits for each section of the exam to ensure you complete all questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What calculator is allowed on the AP Chemistry exam?
- The College Board provides a basic calculator, but some schools allow students to bring their own scientific calculator.
- Can I bring a phone to the exam?
- No, phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in the testing room.
- Should I bring graph paper?
- Yes, graph paper can be helpful for plotting data and showing work for graphing questions.
- What should I do if I forget my calculator?
- Contact your teacher or school administration immediately to see if an alternative is available.
- How should I organize my materials?
- Keep all reference materials in a small binder or folder that you can easily carry to the testing center.