Can I use a calculator in the ACT?

You may use your calculator only while you are working on the Mathematics Test. At all other times, it must be turned off and put away.

You may use only the mathematics functions of your calculator—if your calculator has other functions (such as games) you may not use those functions

ACT is very strict on the types of calculators that are permitted and when the calculators may be used. If testing staff find that you are using a prohibited calculator or are using a calculator on any test other than the Mathematics Test, you will be dismissed and your answer document will not be scored. If ACT determines later that you used a prohibited calculator or that you used a calculator on a test other than the Mathematics Test, your scores will be cancelled.

Using the TI-89 is the most common reason students are dismissed from the ACT for prohibited calculator use.

You may use any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, except for the following:

Prohibited Calculators

• Calculators with built in computer algebra systems
• Texas Instruments: All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92and the TI-Nspire CAS—Note: The TI-Nspire (non-CAS) is permitted.
• Hewlett-Packard: HP 48GII and all model numbers that begin with HP 40G, HP 49G, or HP 50G
• Casio: Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300 and ClassPad 330, and all model numbers that begin with CFX-9970G

• handheld, tablet, or laptop computers, including PDAs
• electronic writing pads or pen-input devices—Note: The Sharp EL 9600 is permitted.
• calculators built into cell phones or any other electronic communication devices
• calculators with a typewriter keypad (letter keys in QWERTY format)—Note: Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.

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