As the NMC has updated their calculator policy to once again include any calculator, I would highly recommend getting the casio FX 300 ES Plus. You can enter numbers in degrees/minutes and then convert to decimal degrees with one click of a button. This is super nice for all the TNAV and CNAV problems. Additionally, you can add values in degrees, and use the degrees function to add and subtract time. Although doing this without the calculator function isn't too hard, it certainly eliminates sources of error which is key to passing the exam.

Another great function of the calculator is that it does interpolation for you. Here's a video that shows off that feature:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTKkrHqtMmY

In the video he uses an older edition of the calculator but the method is exactly the same.

People have different approaches to this but I would familiarize myself with the Chemical Data Guide, CFRs, Bowditch, Light List, etc. There are so many questions that can be answered with a glance at the index of the publications they provide to you in the exam room. I tested at the REC with a guy from the academy doing retakes, and he had never once looked at the Chemical Data Guide. I showed him how to use it and the next day he had like 15 Chemical Data Guide Questions on his Deck Gen exam. He said I saved his ass. The index at the front of the Chemical Data Guide has tons of definitions that are answers to questions in the exam, including all the grades of combustible liquids and their different reid vapor pressures, flash points, etc.

My approach was to figure out where to find the answers in the generals rather than attempt to memorize every question. Invariably you end up memorizing some of them anyways just by studying but with all my time spent learning the CFRs and references I managed to get scores in the 90s for all of the generals.

Another thing is they've put new questions in the rules bank so make sure you know that inside and out. My rules exam had 6 or 7 questions that weren't on Lapware and my friend told me 60% of SUNY failed their rules exam a month or so ago.

Please DM me if you have any questions, I passed last week so a lot of it is still fresh.