Approved Calculators for the Sat

SAT Calculator Approval Checker

Four-function calculator Scientific calculator Graphing calculator Other (e.g., computer, tablet, phone app)

function calculateApproval() { var calculatorType = document.getElementById("calculatorType").value; var hasQWERTY = document.getElementById("hasQWERTY").checked; var hasWireless = document.getElementById("hasWireless").checked; var hasPenInput = document.getElementById("hasPenInput").checked; var hasCamera = document.getElementById("hasCamera").checked; var requiresOutlet = document.getElementById("requiresOutlet").checked; var makesNoise = document.getElementById("makesNoise").checked; var isPhoneApp = document.getElementById("isPhoneApp").checked; var isApproved = true; var reasonsNotApproved = []; if (calculatorType === "other") { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It is a computer, tablet, or phone application, which are not allowed."); } if (hasQWERTY) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It has a QWERTY (typewriter-like) keyboard."); } if (hasWireless) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It has wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular)."); } if (hasPenInput) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It has a pen-input device or stylus."); } if (hasCamera) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It has a camera or audio/video recording capabilities."); } if (requiresOutlet) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It requires an electrical outlet to operate."); } if (makesNoise) { isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It makes noise."); } if (isPhoneApp) { // This is redundant if calculatorType is "other", but good for explicit check isApproved = false; reasonsNotApproved.push("It is a phone, tablet, or computer application."); } var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result"); var resultHTML = ""; if (isApproved) { resultHTML = "

✔ Likely Approved for the SAT!

"; resultHTML += "Based on the information provided, your calculator appears to meet the SAT requirements."; resultHTML += "Commonly Approved Graphing Calculators: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus (all models), TI-Nspire (non-CAS with touchpad), Casio fx-9750GII, HP Prime. Always double-check the official College Board website for the most current list."; } else { resultHTML = "

✖ Not Approved for the SAT.

"; resultHTML += "Your calculator is likely NOT allowed on the SAT for the following reason(s):"; resultHTML += "

"; for (var i = 0; i < reasonsNotApproved.length; i++) { resultHTML += "
• " + reasonsNotApproved[i] + "
"; } resultHTML += "

"; resultHTML += "Please ensure your calculator complies with all College Board rules to avoid issues on test day."; } resultDiv.innerHTML = resultHTML; }

Understanding SAT Calculator Rules: What's Approved?

The SAT allows calculator use on the Math Test – Calculator section, but not on the Math Test – No Calculator section. Having the right calculator can be a significant advantage, but bringing a disallowed one can lead to disqualification. It's crucial to understand the College Board's specific rules to ensure your calculator is approved for test day.

General Rules for Approved Calculators

Most four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators are permitted, provided they do not have certain prohibited features. The core principle is that the calculator should be a tool for computation, not a device for communication, information storage, or external assistance.

Calculators Generally Allowed:

• Four-function calculators: Basic calculators that perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Scientific calculators: These include functions like trigonometry, logarithms, and exponents.
• Graphing calculators: Most models from Texas Instruments (TI), Casio, HP, and Sharp are allowed. Popular examples include the TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus (all models), TI-Nspire (non-CAS with touchpad), Casio fx-9750GII, and HP Prime.

Calculators Strictly Prohibited:

Any calculator that falls into these categories or possesses these features is NOT allowed:

• Calculators with QWERTY (typewriter-like) keyboards: These are often found on devices designed for text entry.
• Calculators with wireless communication capabilities: This includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or cellular data.
• Calculators with a pen-input device or stylus: Devices that allow you to write directly on the screen.
• Calculators with a camera or audio/video recording capabilities: Any device that can capture images or sound.
• Calculators that require an electrical outlet to operate: All calculators must be battery-powered.
• Calculators that make noise: Any calculator that beeps, talks, or makes other sounds.
• Phones, tablets, laptops, or computer applications: These devices are never allowed as calculators.
• Calculators with computer algebra system (CAS) functionality: Some advanced graphing calculators (like the TI-Nspire CAS or TI-89 Titanium) are prohibited because they can perform symbolic manipulation.

Why These Rules Matter

The College Board's rules are designed to ensure a fair testing environment for all students. Prohibited features could potentially give an unfair advantage by allowing access to external information, communication with others, or advanced computational capabilities beyond what is intended for the test.

Recommendations for Test Day

1. Check Your Calculator: Use the checker above and consult the official College Board website for the most up-to-date list of approved and prohibited calculators.
2. Bring Familiar Equipment: Use a calculator you are comfortable with and have practiced with extensively.
3. Fresh Batteries: Ensure your calculator has fresh batteries or bring spare ones. Test centers do not provide batteries or calculators.
4. Backup Calculator: Consider bringing a second approved calculator as a backup, just in case your primary one malfunctions.

By understanding and adhering to these guidelines, you can avoid unnecessary stress and focus entirely on performing your best on the SAT Math Test.

Example Scenarios:

Example 1: Approved Calculator

A student owns a Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE. They select "Graphing calculator" in the dropdown and ensure all the "Does your calculator have any of these features?" checkboxes are unchecked. The calculator correctly identifies it as Likely Approved for the SAT! This is because the TI-84 Plus CE is a standard graphing calculator without any of the prohibited features.

Example 2: Disallowed Calculator

Another student plans to use their HP Prime Graphing Calculator, but it has a feature that allows it to connect wirelessly to a computer for data transfer. They select "Graphing calculator" and check the box for "Wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular)?". The calculator correctly identifies it as Not Approved for the SAT, specifically stating: "It has wireless communication capabilities (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular)." Even though the HP Prime is generally a powerful graphing calculator, this specific feature makes it non-compliant.