The Top 10 Questions Parents Ask about Graphing Calculators

I was just reviewing this list of questions prepared by Texas Instruments. I found a problem with one of their answers.

The seventh question they list is, "Can my child use a graphing calculator on the SAT* and ACT?". The answer they provide is "Yes. Graphing calculators are permitted or even required on SAT*, ACT, PSAT* and AP* exams."

This answer is not 100% accurate. Although a graphing calculator is permitted (or required) when taking many standardized tests, NOT ALL graphing calculators are permitted.

I've already covered why some graphing calculator models are not permitted for takers of the SAT and PSAT tests in previous posts. To find out more take a look at those posts.

Taking the PSAT/NMSQT® Exam with an Approved Calculator

The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program cosponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

As with the SAT exam, the College Board does not provide a list of specific calculators models that are approved for usage. According to their site any graphing calculator, scientific calculator, or four-function calculator is approved* for usage provided that it:

• is a standalone device (e.g., not part of a cell phone or PDA)
  
• is not a stylus-driven device
  
• does not utilize a writing pad
  
• does not have a QWERTY (typewriter-like) keypad
  
• does not have printing capabilities.
  

Calculator Town sells several calculators that are approved for use on the PSAT exam. Click on the links below to learn more about and buy these approved calculators.

• HP 33s Scientific Calculator w/ HP Solve
  
• HP 50g Graphing Calculator with SD Card Slot
  
• TI-89 Graphing Calculator Titanium
  
• TI-Nspire Graphing Calculator
  

* Calculators can only be used on the mathematics portion of the PSAT exam.

Buying an Exam Approved Graphing Calculator

High school students are one of the main users of calculators. Standardized exams are a core reason for their usage.

Standardized exams are administered by various organizations. Each of these organizations decides what calculators are approved for use on any of the exams they administer. Unfortunately, each list of approved calculators is different. Thus, the high school student planning on taking several standardized exams over the course of his or her high school career should do some research before purchasing a new calculator for the PSAT or SAT exam can also be used in a subsequent year when taking a state mandated exam (e.g., the Mathematics Regents Exam in NY state) or any of the AP Exams (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry).

As students prepare to go back to school and begin to purchase school supplies one of the items they may need to purchase is a calculator. With these thoughts in mind, coupled with he high cost of many of these calculators (many are graphing calculators), this blog will focus much of its attention over the next few weeks on the identification of approved calculators for the different exams students will be faced with during the coming school year.