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Calculator Tips for Standardized Tests

If you’re feeling confused about which tests allow students to use calculators, you’re not alone.

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Calculator Tips for the ACT and SAT

Calculator Tips for the ACT and SAT

Need calculator tips for standardized tests? Here are the facts.

The ACT

The ACT Calculator Policy is designed to ensure fairness, avoid disturbances in the testing room, and protect the security of the test materials.

  • A permitted calculator may be used on the ACT mathematics test only.
  • Students may bring any 4-function calculator.
  • Students cannot use calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system functionality. Prohibited calculators in this category include:
      • Texas Instruments (all model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92)
      • TI-Nspire CAS [Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted
      • Hewlett-Packard (HP Prime, HP 48GII, all model numbers that begin with HP40G, HP49G, or HP50G)
  • Accessible calculators such as audio/“talking” or Braille calculators may be allowed under the accessibility policies for the ACT test.
  • Using the TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.
  • In a computer-based testing environment, an on-screen calculator may be provided.
  • Sharing calculators during the test is not permitted, and the test proctor will not provide a calculator.
  • Students are responsible for ensuring that their calculator works properly. If the calculator uses batteries, the batteries should be strong enough to last throughout the testing session. Students may bring a spare calculator and extra batteries.

The SAT

The SAT Calculator Policy states that students can only use a calculator for the Math section. It cannot be used on the Reading & Writing section.

  • The SAT platform has a built-in graphing calculator that we highly recommend. Students can also bring and use their own calculator if they would like.
  • Students will be dismissed and scores will be canceled if a student uses a calculator to share information during the test or to remove test questions or answers from the test room.
  • Testing centers will not have batteries or extra calculators. If a student’s calculator fails during testing and he/she does not have a backup, the student will need to complete the test without it.
  • Permitted calculators include most graphing calculators, all scientific calculators, and all four-function calculators. We recommend a graphing calculator. A list of calculators allowed in the test room can be found on the SAT Calculator Policy page.  

Note: The above guidance pertains to the paper SAT, available in the U.S. through December 2023. On the digital SAT, students will still be allowed to bring a permitted calculator. The digital test platform will also feature a built-in graphing calculator. To get a sneak peek at the built-in calculator that will be available on the digital SAT, check out our blog on the digital SAT interface.

High School Admissions Tests

SHSAT: Students may not use calculators and/or mathematics tables on the Mathematics section.

SSAT: No calculator is allowed on this exam. Students will be required to complete simple calculations, not complex math problems.

ISEE: No calculator is allowed on this exam.

AP Exams

AP Exam calculator policies differ depending on the subject. See a common list of subjects below, or you can find the full policy on the College Board website.

AP Calculus AB & BC

  • The use of a graphing calculator is considered an integral part of the AP Calculus course, and is required for all sections of the AP Calculus Exams.

AP Biology

  • Four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators are allowed on all sections of the exam.

Chemistry

  • A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended for all parts of the exam.

Physics 1 | Physics 2 | Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | Physics C: Mechanics

  • Students are allowed to use a calculator on the entire AP Physics 1, 2, and C Exams – including both the multiple-choice and free response sections.
  • Scientific, graphing, or four-function calculators may be used, provided that they don’t have any unapproved features or capabilities.

Statistics: Each student is expected to bring a graphing calculator with statistical capabilities.

  • The computational capabilities should include standard statistical univariate and bivariate summaries, through linear regression. The graphical capabilities should include common univariate and bivariate displays such as histograms, boxplots, and scatterplots. You can bring two calculators to the exam.

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