PreACT study resources
PreACT Calculator Policy: What You Can Bring
You can use a permitted calculator on PreACT math. Choose a model you know, check its exact name against ACT’s policy, and practice deciding when a calculation actually helps.
Where can you use a calculator?
| Section | Calculator use |
|---|---|
| English | No |
| Math | Yes, if permitted |
| Reading | No |
| Science, if administered | No |
The PreACT administration manual applies ACT’s calculator policy. Keep a handheld calculator disconnected from the testing device, and put it away outside math. Accessible calculators require advance authorization from the test coordinator. See the PreACT manual.
For online PreACT Secure, the testing platform provides a calculator; a permitted personal calculator is also an option. Confirm your school’s test version and practice with its official interface. See ACT’s PreACT Secure preparation guide.
Which calculators are allowed on the PreACT?
ACT generally permits four-function, scientific and graphing calculators, subject to its exclusions and required modifications. These examples are not an exhaustive model list.
| Device or feature | Policy |
|---|---|
| Ordinary four-function or scientific calculator | Generally permitted; check restrictions. |
| TI-Nspire without CAS | Permitted. |
| TI-Nspire CAS; TI-89 and TI-92 families | Prohibited. |
| HP Prime; Casio ClassPad 400 | Prohibited. |
| Built-in or downloaded computer algebra system (CAS) | Prohibited. |
| Phone/tablet calculator or QWERTY-keyboard calculator | Prohibited. |
Remove stored documents and CAS programs; disable sound; remove paper tape and power cords; cover infrared ports with heavy opaque material. Sharing is not allowed. Check the complete current ACT policy for other excluded models and devices.
A calculator checklist for the week before testing
- Identify the exact model. Read the label on the device itself, then compare it with the official policy. Resolve uncertainty with your school before test morning.
- Rehearse the keys you use. Try fractions, parentheses, negative numbers, square roots and switching between fractions and decimals. Make sure you understand how your model handles each input.
- Check power. Charge the calculator or check its batteries. If you have a permitted backup, learn its controls too.
- Practice a short math set. Use your test-day calculator for the free PreACT math questions. Review whether errors came from setup, arithmetic or key entry.
- Plan the transition. Finish math, turn the calculator off and put it away. Continue science practice without it.
Do not spend your last evening learning a complicated new device. Being able to enter a simple expression accurately matters more than having a long menu of features.
When a calculator helps—and when it slows you down
Write the mathematical relationship first. A calculator can evaluate an expression, but it cannot decide whether a word problem asks for a discount, a final price or a percent change.
Use it for arithmetic after the setup
A jacket costs $68 and is discounted 15%. Its sale price is 68 × 0.85 = $57.80. Entering 68 × 0.15 gives the discount, $10.20, rather than the requested price. Estimate first: a 15% discount should leave a little less than $60.
Use a quick written step for a simple equation
For 4x + 7 = 31, subtract 7 to get 4x = 24, then divide by 4: x = 6. Searching a solver menu adds work to a two-step problem.
During review, mark each mistake as “setup,” “entry” or “interpretation.” If your calculator result is accurate but answers the wrong question, repeat the setup in words before doing more arithmetic. For help balancing accuracy and pace, read how hard the PreACT is.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a calculator on the PreACT?
Yes, a permitted calculator may be used for math. It must be turned off and put away for English, reading and science.
Can I use a calculator on PreACT science?
No. Practice reading data, comparing values and doing simple arithmetic without a calculator.
Is a TI-Nspire allowed on the PreACT?
ACT permits the non-CAS TI-Nspire. The TI-Nspire CAS is prohibited. Check the exact model and the current ACT policy before test day.
Do I need to buy a graphing calculator?
No. Every math problem can be solved without a calculator. A familiar permitted calculator is a practical choice; buying a more complicated model is not a preparation requirement.
Does an online test let me use a phone calculator?
No. A testing platform’s built-in calculator is different from a phone app. Use only the tools authorized for your test.
Sources and further reading
Official test information checked November 9, 2026. Practice material and study recommendations are by Test Ninjas.