ACT® Calculator Compliance Checker
Determine if your calculator setup meets the official rules for test day.
Calculator Policy Compliance Tool
Primary Calculator
Calculators that can solve algebra symbolically are prohibited.
QWERTY keypads are not allowed.
Calculators must be battery-operated.
Any sounds must be turned off during the test.
Backup Calculator (Optional)
You are allowed one backup, but you cannot use both calculators at the same time.
Primary Calculator Status
Pending…
Backup Calculator Status
Pending…
Core Policy Rule
You can bring a backup, but only use one calculator at a time on the desk.
Formula Explanation
This calculator works as a checklist. Your calculator setup is considered “PERMITTED” only if your primary calculator passes all compliance checks. If you bring a backup, it must also pass these checks. The fundamental rule is you can bring two calculators (one primary, one backup) but you are not allowed to use two calculators on the ACT simultaneously.
Deep Dive into the ACT Calculator Policy
What is the policy on using two calculators on the ACT?
The question, “can you use two calculators on the act,” is common among students preparing for the exam. The official ACT policy is both simple and strict: you are allowed to bring one primary calculator and one backup calculator to the testing center. However, you cannot use both at the same time. Only one calculator is permitted on your desk during the test. The backup must be stored under your chair and can only be used if the primary one fails, and typically only after getting permission from the proctor. This policy ensures fairness and prevents any potential misuse of devices during the exam. Understanding whether you can you use two calculators on the act is less about using them simultaneously and more about having a permitted backup for emergencies.
This rule is crucial for any student who relies heavily on their device. A dead battery or unexpected malfunction could be disastrous without a backup. Therefore, the discussion about if you can you use two calculators on the act is really a conversation about smart preparation. Who should use it? Any student taking the ACT should be aware of this policy. Common misconceptions include believing you can use a scientific calculator for some questions and a graphing one for others, which is not allowed. You must stick to one device at a time.
ACT Calculator Policy: The Official Rules
There isn’t a mathematical formula for ACT calculator compliance, but rather a set of clear rules and prohibitions. The core principle is to avoid giving any test-taker an unfair advantage. The ACT explicitly bans calculators with features that can solve complex algebra for the student or that could be used to communicate. The question of whether can you use two calculators on the act is governed by these specific prohibitions.
To be compliant, your calculator (both primary and backup) must NOT have the prohibited features. The “formula” is a checklist: if any feature is on the prohibited list, the device is not allowed. This is a key aspect of understanding if you can you use two calculators on the act.
| Feature/Variable | Meaning | Status | Typical Models/Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS (Computer Algebra System) | Ability to solve algebraic equations symbolically. | Prohibited | TI-89, TI-92, TI-Nspire CAS |
| QWERTY Keyboard | A typewriter-style keyboard. | Prohibited | Devices with full keyboards |
| External Power Cord | Requires plugging into an outlet to work. | Prohibited | Calculators must be battery-operated. |
| Makes Noise | Audible beeps or tones that cannot be muted. | Prohibited | Must be muted if sound is a feature |
| Standard Graphing | Ability to plot graphs (y=…). | Permitted | TI-84 Plus, TI-83 |
| Scientific Functions | Performs log, trig, and exponential functions. | Permitted | TI-30X, Casio fx-115 |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Let’s explore two scenarios to clarify the policy around using a backup and ensuring compliance, which is the heart of the “can you use two calculators on the act” question.
Example 1: The Prepared Student
Maria brings a TI-84 Plus CE as her primary calculator. This is a permitted graphing calculator. For peace of mind, she also brings a TI-30XIIS scientific calculator as her backup. Both calculators are battery-powered, have no CAS or QWERTY keyboards, and are on the ACT’s approved list. During the test, her TI-84’s battery dies. She raises her hand, explains the situation to the proctor, and is given permission to swap it with her TI-30XIIS. This is a perfect execution of the ACT’s calculator policy.
Example 2: The Uninformed Student
John brings a TI-Nspire CAS, known for its powerful symbolic algebra features. He also has his phone, thinking he can use its calculator app as a “backup.” The proctor identifies the TI-Nspire CAS as a prohibited device during check-in. Furthermore, phones are strictly forbidden. John is now forced to take the math section without any calculator. This highlights why knowing the rules for if you can you use two calculators on the act is not just about having two, but having two *compliant* devices.
How to Use This ACT Compliance Calculator
Our tool simplifies the complex rules. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Primary Calculator Check: Answer the series of yes/no questions about your main calculator. These questions directly correspond to the ACT’s prohibited features list.
- Backup Calculator Check: If you plan to bring a backup, select “Yes” and answer the same compliance questions for your second device.
- Review Your Results: The tool will immediately provide a clear “PERMITTED” or “NOT PERMITTED” status. This answers your core question: based on your inputs, can you use two calculators on the act in your specific configuration?
- Understand the Details: The intermediate results break down the status of each calculator and reiterate the core policy that you can only use one at a time. This helps you pinpoint any compliance issues.
Key Factors That Affect Calculator Compliance
Several factors determine if your calculator is allowed. Ignoring these can lead to being disqualified from using it. This is the most critical part of determining if you can you use two calculators on the act.
- Computer Algebra System (CAS): This is the most common reason for a calculator being banned. CAS can solve ‘x’ in equations, which the ACT requires students to do manually. Models like the TI-89 are prohibited for this reason.
- QWERTY Keyboards: Any device with a typewriter-style keyboard is forbidden as it resembles a communication device.
- Power Source: Calculators must be battery-operated. Devices that need to be plugged in are not allowed.
- Communication Features: Any calculator with infrared, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi capabilities is strictly prohibited.
- Noise and Printing: Calculators that make noise must be muted. Those with paper tape must have the tape removed.
- Backup vs. Simultaneous Use: The policy allows a backup but explicitly forbids having two calculators on your desk or actively using two. This is the central point for anyone asking “can you use two calculators on the act.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. You can bring a primary and a backup, but only one can be on your desk and in use at any given moment.
The testing center will not provide a calculator. You would have to complete the math section without one. This is why having an approved backup is highly recommended.
Yes, the entire TI-84 Plus series (including Plus, CE) is permitted as it does not have a CAS.
Yes, it is highly recommended to clear the memory to remove any programs or documents, as these can be against the rules.
No. Sharing calculators is strictly prohibited during the exam.
Yes. All questions on the ACT can be solved without a calculator, so a good scientific calculator is more than sufficient. A graphing calculator is a tool, not a necessity. The debate over whether you can you use two calculators on the act is often about having the right tool available.
The ACT requires you to make the modification before the test begins. For noise, you must mute it. For an infrared port, you must cover it with opaque tape.
For the digital ACT, an on-screen Desmos graphing calculator is provided. However, you are still permitted to bring your own handheld calculator as long as it meets the standard ACT policy.
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