

Messing around with the cumbersome on-screen calculator, even for a few seconds, can prove to be counterproductive. This will save you valuable time on a test where time is critical and will keep you mentally involved in the problem.

But if you can solve a basic arithmetic problem quickly in your mind or with a quick longhand to visualize it, by all means proceed without the calculator. The best strategy I can suggest is that if it would take you longer than 5 seconds to solve mentally or with a quick scribble on your paper, use the calculator.

See how long each of the below takes you to solve mentally or on paper: Here are a few good practice questions to give you an idea of when you should use a calculator vs. Save the calculator for the more time consuming, complex problems. Such a problem should be easily solved in a couple seconds with the old noggin (just use those memorized multiplication tables from grade school and add a zero!). However, if you come to a point in a problem that requires you to solve for 30 x 4, use your mental calculator instead. For example, if you need to solve for the square root of 147, do you think you can solve that quicker in your head (or by longhand) than by using the calculator? I am guessing not. Problems involving odd decimals, ratios and square roots are great examples. If you come to a math problem that requires you to solve some complex arithmetic, by all means whip out that calculator and use it because solving that type of problem will almost certainly take longer to figure out mentally or by longhand. When to use the calculator will depend totally on the type of question presented. The flip side of this, however, is that it’s still a calculator, which can save you valuable time and mental energy if you need to use it. The characteristics and risks that follow (possibility of mistakes and/or lost time) can cause you to question whether or not to use the tool. The functionality of the provided calculator is limited its interface is clunky, outdated and awkward and its on-screen placement is cumbersome and slows your efficiency. The answer to this question is the classic “it depends.” In many instances, the calculator provided by the GRE may actually slow you down or even lead you to make an error. Now that you know you get a calculator on the GRE, it then begs the question - “Should I use the calculator?” The arithmetic is not the challenge - it is generally just a byproduct at the end of the problem solving process. The GRE is testing your ability to break down the problem and approach it with the correct thought processes and in the correct order. The exam administrators give you this calculator because the basic arithmetic solving allowed by a calculator is not the important concept the GRE is trying to test.
#A standard calculator windows
The GRE provides an on-screen calculator, which is incredibly basic and not so different from the standard calculator you can pull up in Windows right now. In short, you have access to their calculator if you need it, but cannot bring one of your own. The only calculator allowed on the GRE is the on-screen calculator made available for your use. The bad news is that you cannot bring a calculator to the GRE. You are probably relieved to know that a calculator is available to assist you while taking the GRE, but don’t start celebrating and busting out your trusted TI-83 Plus, thinking you can use it to knock the math problems out of the park.

Claim Discount Can You Bring a Calculator to the GRE?
