May I use a calculator?
You may use a calculator on the following LHSRA Literary Events but not on any of the other
tests offered by the LHSRA. You are not required to use a calculator. All problems on the tests
can be solved without a calculator.
- Advanced Math 鈥 Pre-Calculus
- Advanced Math 鈥 Functions & Statistics
- Algebra I
- Algebra II
- Calculus I
- Calculus II
- Chemistry
- Financial Literacy
- Geometry
- Physics
WARNING: You are responsible for knowing if your calculator is permitted. If you use a
prohibited calculator, or you use a calculator on any test other than the Financial Literacy,
Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics Tests, you will be dismissed and your answer document
will not be scored. If it is determined later that you used a prohibited calculator or that you used
a calculator on a test other than the Financial Literacy, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics
Tests, your scores will be canceled. The TI-89 is the most common calculator taken from
students who bring this model to the rally events.
If you wish to use a calculator, you are responsible for bringing it to the test center and for
making sure it works properly. The test center will not provide backup calculators or batteries.
You may not share a calculator with anyone else. You may bring a backup calculator, but you
may not have more than one on your desk or in operation at a time.
You may use your calculator only while you are working on the Mathematics, Chemistry, and
Physics Tests. At all other times, it must be turned off and put away. If you finish the
Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics Tests before time is called, you must turn your calculator
off and wait quietly. Calculators with games or other functions may not be used鈥攜ou may use
only the mathematics functions of your calculator.
Permitted Calculators
- Any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, unless it has features described in
the Prohibited Calculators list below. - TI鈥揘spire (non-CAS) and Sharp EL 9600
- Calculators with letter keys not in QWERTY format
- For models on the Calculators Permitted with Modification list, you will be required to modify some of the calculator鈥檚 features.
Prohibited Calculators
- Texas Instruments: all model numbers beginning with TI-89 and TI-92, and TI鈥揘spire
CAS - Hewlett-Packard: HP Prime, HP 48GII and all model numbers beginning with HP 40G,
HP 49G, or HP 50G - Casio: fx-CP400 (ClassPad 400), Algebra fx 2.0, ClassPad 300, ClassPad 330, and all
model numbers beginning with CFX- 9970G - Calculators with built-in computer algebra systems
- Pocket Organizers
- Handheld, Tablet, or Laptop Computers, including PDAs
- Electronic Writing Pads or Pen-Input devices
- Calculators built into cell phones or other electronic communication devices.
- Calculators with a typewriter keypad (keys in QWERTY format)
Other Models Not Permitted
- 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 QWERTY format letter keys.
- This does not apply to calculators that are provided in a secure test delivery platform.
- Letter keys not in QWERTY format are permitted.
Calculators Permitted with Modification
These types of calculators are permitted, but only after they are modified as noted:
- Calculators with paper tape - Remove the tape.
- Calculators that can hold programs or documents 鈥 Remove all documents and remove all programs that have computer algebra system functionality.
- Calculators that make noise - Turn off the sound.
- Calculators that can communicate wirelessly with other calculators - Completely cover the infrared data port with heavy opaque material, such as duct tape or electrician's tape (includes Hewlett-Packard HP 38G series, HP 39G series, and HP 48G).
- Calculators that have power cords - Remove all power/electrical cords.
Calculators in a Computer-based Testing Environment
- An on-screen calculator may be available. Test coordinators can check the
administration instructions for details. - Calculators may not be connected in any way to the computer or device being used for
testing.
NB: LHSRA Calculator Usage Policy is adapted from ACT Calculator Policy, Updated
September 1, 2024.