Can You Use A Calculator On The Teas Exam

The ATI TEAS 7 exam includes a built-in, four-function calculator, but only for the Mathematics section. You cannot bring your own calculator. Use our estimator below to see how the provided calculator might impact your time on the math section, and learn the exact rules.

TEAS Math Section Time Savings Estimator

Estimate potential time saved using the built-in calculator vs. manual calculation for the Math section.

What is the TEAS Exam Calculator Policy?

The question, “can you use a calculator on the TEAS exam?” is crucial for test preparation. For the ATI TEAS Version 7 exam, the answer is yes, but with a significant limitation: a basic four-function calculator (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) is provided within the testing software and is available only during the Mathematics section of the exam. You are NOT allowed to bring your own physical calculator into the testing center for any section of the TEAS exam.

This built-in tool is designed to assist with the calculations in the Mathematics section, but it’s important to be comfortable with manual calculations as well, as not every math problem will necessarily benefit from it, and you don’t want to waste time using it unnecessarily.

Who Should Know This Policy?

Anyone preparing to take the ATI TEAS exam, particularly those applying to nursing or allied health programs that require the TEAS as part of the admission process, must understand the TEAS exam calculator rules.

Common Misconceptions

A common misconception is that test-takers can bring their own preferred calculator, especially a scientific one. This is incorrect. Only the provided, on-screen, basic calculator is permitted, and only for the math section. Another is thinking the calculator is available for the Science section, which also involves some calculations – it is not.

TEAS Exam Sections and Calculator Availability

The ATI TEAS 7 exam is divided into four sections. Here’s the breakdown regarding calculator use:

TEAS Exam Section	Number of Questions	Time Limit	Calculator Allowed?	Calculator Type
Reading	45	55 minutes	No	N/A
Mathematics	38	57 minutes	Yes (Built-in)	Four-function (on-screen)
Science	50	60 minutes	No	N/A
English and Language Usage	37	37 minutes	No	N/A

Table: Calculator Availability Across TEAS 7 Sections

As you can see, the privilege of using a calculator is exclusively for the Mathematics section. Understanding whether you can use a calculator on the TEAS exam is vital for the math part.

How the Built-in Calculator Works and Limitations

The calculator provided during the TEAS Mathematics section is a basic, on-screen, four-function calculator. It can perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. It does not have advanced functions like exponents, roots (other than square roots if it’s a very basic function set including that), logarithms, or trigonometric functions. You will need to know how to perform these more advanced operations manually or understand the concepts without direct calculator buttons for them.

When you are in the Mathematics section, there will be an icon or button on the screen that you can click to open the calculator. It will appear as a small window on your screen, which you can move around.

Limitations:

• Basic Functions Only: Don’t expect scientific calculator capabilities.
• On-Screen Interface: You’ll use your mouse to click the buttons, which can be slower than a physical calculator.
• No Memory Functions: Typically, these basic embedded calculators have limited or no memory storage (M+, M-, MR).

Practicing with a similar basic on-screen calculator before the exam can be beneficial to get used to the interface.

Practical Examples of Math Problems and Calculator Use

Let’s consider how the calculator might be used (or not) for typical TEAS Math problems.

Example 1: Percentages

Problem: A patient’s medication dose is reduced by 15% from an original dose of 200mg. What is the new dose?

With Calculator: You could calculate 15% of 200 (0.15 * 200 = 30) and then subtract from 200 (200 – 30 = 170mg). Or calculate 85% of 200 (0.85 * 200 = 170mg). The calculator helps with the multiplication.

Without Calculator: You’d do 0.15 x 200 and 200 – 30 manually.

Example 2: Fractions and Decimals

Problem: Convert 5/8 to a decimal.

With Calculator: You would divide 5 by 8 (5 / 8 = 0.625).

Without Calculator: You’d perform long division.

Example 3: Algebra (where calculator is less useful for the setup)

Problem: Solve for x: 3x + 7 = 22

With/Without Calculator: You first need to rearrange the equation (3x = 15, x = 5) manually. The calculator might only help with the final 15 / 3 if needed, but it’s simple enough without.

Knowing you can use a calculator on the TEAS exam for math helps, but practice both ways.

How to Use This Time Savings Estimator

The calculator above helps you estimate the potential time you might save by using the built-in calculator on certain math problems versus doing them entirely manually. It highlights the importance of the calculator in the Math section, given its availability.

1. Number of Math Problems Requiring Calculator: Estimate how many of the 38 math questions you think will involve calculations where the calculator would be genuinely useful.
2. Avg. Time per Problem with Calculator: Input how long you think it would take you, on average, to solve these problems using the on-screen calculator.
3. Avg. Time per Problem Manually: Input how long you think it would take you, on average, to solve these same problems by hand.
4. Total Math Section Time: This is fixed at 57 minutes.
5. Click “Estimate Savings”: The tool will calculate the total time with and without the calculator for those problems and the potential time saved.
6. Read the Results: The primary result reminds you the calculator is only for the Math section and shows the estimated time saved. Intermediate results give more detail.

Remember, this is an estimator. Your actual time will vary based on problem difficulty and your speed. The key takeaway is that while you can use a calculator on the TEAS exam‘s math section, efficiency with and without it is crucial.

Key Factors That Affect Math Section Time

Several factors influence how long you take on the TEAS Math section, including the use of the built-in calculator:

1. Basic Math Proficiency: Your fundamental understanding of arithmetic, algebra, and data interpretation. The less you struggle with concepts, the faster you’ll be, calculator or not.
2. Calculator Familiarity: How comfortable you are with using a basic on-screen calculator. Practice with one before the exam.
3. Manual Calculation Speed: Your speed and accuracy in performing calculations by hand for problems where the calculator is less efficient or for parts of problems.
4. Problem Recognition: Quickly identifying the type of problem and the steps needed to solve it saves time before even using the calculator.
5. Time Management Strategy: How you allocate your 57 minutes across the 38 math questions. Don’t get bogged down on one problem.
6. Test Anxiety: Nerves can slow down your thinking and calculation speed. Practice under timed conditions.
7. Knowing When to Use the Calculator: For simple calculations, it might be faster to do it manually than to open and use the on-screen calculator. For more complex multiplications or divisions, it’s a time-saver.

Understanding if you can use a calculator on the TEAS exam is just the first step; knowing how and when to use it effectively is key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I bring my own calculator to the TEAS test?

No, you cannot bring your own calculator (graphing, scientific, or any other type) to the TEAS exam. Only the built-in, on-screen calculator provided during the Mathematics section is allowed.

2. Is the calculator available for all sections of the TEAS 7 exam?

No, the built-in calculator is only available during the Mathematics section. It is not available for the Reading, Science, or English and Language Usage sections.

3. What kind of calculator is provided on the TEAS exam?

A basic four-function calculator (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) is provided on-screen within the testing software.

4. Do I have to use the calculator on the TEAS Math section?

No, you are not required to use it. You can choose to perform calculations manually. However, it is there to help if you need it.

5. Are there any practice TEAS tests with a similar calculator?

Yes, official practice materials from ATI often include a simulator for the on-screen calculator so you can get used to it. Look for TEAS practice tests that mimic the exam interface.

6. What if I need to do calculations in the Science section?

You will need to perform any calculations in the Science section manually. The calculator is not available for this section, so brush up on your manual math skills relevant to science problems (e.g., unit conversions, basic formulas). Check our TEAS Science study guide for more.

7. Does the calculator have a square root or exponent function?

Typically, the basic four-function calculator provided does not have dedicated square root or exponent buttons beyond simple squaring if available. You should be prepared to handle these manually or through understanding the concepts.

8. Why is it important to know I can use a calculator on the TEAS exam math section?

Knowing you have this tool allows you to strategize your time better. You can use it for complex arithmetic and focus your mental energy on understanding and setting up the problems. Our TEAS Math study guide can help you prepare.