SAT Calculator Policy – SAT Suite (2024)

You're allowed to use a calculator for part of the Math Test—but there's more to it than making sure you’ve got a fresh set of batteries.

Calculator Rules

• Bring your own calculator. You can’t share one.

• You can only use your calculator on the portion of the test labeled Math Test – Calculator.

• You may not use a calculator while working on the Math Test – No Calculator portions, or during the Reading and Writing and Language sections. You must put the calculator away during these sections of the test.

• You'll be dismissed and your scores canceled if you use your calculator to share information during the test, or to remove test questions or answers from the test room.

Calculator Tips

• Don’t bring a brand-new calculator. Bring one you know. Practice for the test using the same calculator you’ll use on test day.

• The Math Test includes some questions where it’s better not to use a calculator, even though you’re allowed to.

• It may help to do scratch work in the test book. Get your thoughts down before using your calculator.

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• Make sure your calculator is in good working order and that batteries are fresh. The test center won’t have batteries or extra calculators. If your calculator fails during testing and you have no backup, you'll have to complete the test without it.

Accepted Calculators

If you have a calculator with characters that are one inch or higher, or if your calculator has a raised display that might be visible to other test-takers, you will be seated at the discretion of the test coordinator.

Only battery-operated, handheld equipment can be used for testing. No power cords are allowed.

Calculators permitted during testing include:

• Most graphing calculators (see chart)
• All scientific calculators
• All four-function calculators (not recommended)

Prohibited Calculators

• Laptops or other computers, tablets, mobile phones, smartwatches, or wearable technology
• Models that can access the Internet, have wireless, Bluetooth, cellular, audio/video recording and playing, camera, or any other smartphone-type features
• Models that have a computer-style (QWERTY) keypad, pen input, or stylus
• Models that use electrical outlets, make noise, or have a paper tape

In addition, the use of hardware peripherals such as a stylus with an approved calculator is not permitted. Some models with touchscreen capability are not permitted (e.g., Casio ClassPad).

Students and educators should use this flyer to learn for which College Board tests calculators are acceptable.