One way that many people prepare for the exam is by taking practice tests. You should take several free response AP Calculus AB practice tests as you work on developing your understanding of Calculus. However, taking the practice tests alone will not help you much because you need a real test to really get a feel for the exam. Although taking practice tests is a good way to develop a feel for the exam, it is often not enough to help you pass.
In order to prepare for the exam, you also need to purchase a Calculus Graphing Calculator. Although you may be able to find free response or practice tests that you can use in preparation for the exam, they usually do not include a graphing calculator. So if you want to use a graphing calculator while you take the free response portion of the exam, you may want to purchase a graphing calculator to make your practice tests more useful. Remember that a calculator is an essential part of any successful Calculus test.
There are several different types of calculators you can purchase. The first is a traditional calculator, which is also the most expensive type. You will find that many colleges and universities offer them as part of their Calculus classes. The traditional calculator includes many functions that you could never think of using on your own. For this reason, it is wise to invest in a quality Calculus course in order to use the calculator effectively on tests day.
You can also purchase a high tech calculator. These calculators allow you to plug in equations into the computer so that you can quickly see the results. However, they can be very expensive and many students find that they do not use them as much as they should. If you are looking to save money, consider buying a second hand calculator online.
One thing that you should definitely not do is test out calculators before you take the exam. Although you may have taken practice tests with the calculators you are using, it is best not to use those on the actual test day. The reason is because during the actual exam, you will likely use a textbook or handbook to help you answer the questions. Therefore, you need to use the calculator correctly to make sure that you do not miss anything that is critical.
As you can see, there are many resources that are available for you to learn the AP Calculus A exam. In fact, when you take a Calculus course from a qualified instructor, he/she should include some practice exercises. By taking an entire semester with no prior experience in Calculus, you can find yourself having an easy time with the exam. If you cannot afford to take the course in a traditional classroom setting, then you can find calculators online that will allow you to learn the material at your own pace.
Once you start using calculators, you will quickly realize that they are very helpful tools that help you become more prepared for exams. However, if you do not use the calculators effectively, then you will likely spend much time trying to figure them out. As long as you buy a high quality product that has been tested and proven, you will be able to get the most out of it. Many people make the mistake of thinking that buying the products will cost a lot of money, but this is simply not true when you take into account how much time you will save by purchasing online.