Preparing for competitive exams is not easy, and not everyone is good at everything. Therefore, when notifications like the allowed use of calculators come, some applicants are bound to celebrate. However, one must know all the implications of such modifications, as in a competitive exam like the ACT, every second matter.

Here are some points that should be kept in mind while handling the use of a calculator in the exam.

Not for all the sections

The calculator is available only for the ACT Math Test. There is no such feature for the science section of the test. So it will be beneficial for you to practice for the exam without the calculator feature only. As for the science-related calculations, you will have to be quick enough!

Which Calculator?

Ensure that the calculator you want to go ahead with will be allowed by the ACT proctors. You can utilize any four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, as long as it doesn’t have prohibited algebra software on it. Another thing which you must remember is that you must use a calculator you’re familiar with. Do not get a new calculator just the night before the test. You need to know how to use the calculator, and you need to be comfortable and rapid with all of the functions you might need.

Time-Saving

It is not advised to use the calculator for checking extremely basic arithmetic (for verifying if 2+2 = 4). It is silly and wastes your time. If the calculation is easy, you’d better believe yourself mate! Please do not use the calculator when the MCQ choices all have fractions or radicals as the answer. The calculator is not at all going to help you get to those answers anyway, so you’re wasting your time and efforts both. Go to your calculator only when you are aware of how to solve the problem and how the calculator will help you in the same. Using it any other way is a waste of time. Just spending your time calculating anything is of no help.

Apart from all the points that we discussed above, here are some pro-tips-

• Just remember, your calculator is not the one taking the ACT, YOU ARE! The ACT Math section is to test your math skills, not your calculator using skills.
• Ensure that you replace the batteries of the calculator the night before the test, even if they’re not that old; a dead calculator in the middle of your math section is the last thing you want!

With all these tips, we hope you know how to approach the test when it comes to using the calculator and ensuring that it only saves time and not waste it!