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Doing so is a good idea because it’s faster than solving on paper and less likely to lead to mistakes.īeyond simple arithmetic, there are a couple of powerful shortcuts you should know about that can speed up your work on the SAT or ACT. Once you’ve figured out how you’re going to solve a problem, then you can use the calculator to quickly work through any arithmetic. Many of these can be solved quickly with a simple shortcut, and thus should not be immediately plugged into the calculator. You should be especially wary, for instance, of problems that look overtly complex. Don’t rely on your calculator for the big picture problem-solving strategy-this part is up to you. In general, take a few moments to understand each question and plan your method of attack before picking up the calculator. It’s important, then, to know when and when not to use the calculator. That said, not using a calculator at all will take more time and can often lead to more careless mistakes. Most, if not all, SAT and ACT math problems can be solved without the use of a calculator. Know when to use parenthesis, for instance, and how your calculator processes the order of operations. No matter what type of calculator you’re using, make sure you’re familiar with it before test day. For that reason I recommend using a graphing calculator, such as the TI-83 or TI-84, that features the types of added functionality described below. That said, popular graphing calculators like the TI-83 often contain handy shortcuts that standard or scientific calculators lack. While graphing calculators allow you to find solutions to some linear and quadratic problems, these problems are generally solved just as quickly (or more quickly) without a calculator. The following graphing calculators are generally allowed on the SAT: Casio
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You can find a complete list of permitted calculators for the ACT here and a similar list for the SAT here. Always make sure to check, however, that your model is kosher before you sit for the exam. Most popular high school calculators, like the Texas TI-83 and TI-84, are permitted. The ACT is somewhat stricter than the SAT, prohibiting calculators with CAS (“computer algebra system”) functionality, whereas these are generally allowed on the SAT. The SAT and ACT place relatively few restrictions on calculator use. Note, however, that the calculator is not allowed on any other sections-including ACT science.
ACT MATH CALCULATOR HOW TO
Both the SAT and ACT allow a calculator on the mathematics section, so it’s important to know how to get the most out of one come test day.