Can You Use a Calculator on the GRE? Understand the Rules Before Test Day

I. Are Calculators Allowed on the GRE?

You are allowed to use a calculator on the GRE on test day. There is an on screen calculator provided by ETS during the quantitative reasoning section of the GRE exam; there is no GRE on screen calculator needed or provided for other sections of the GRE exam. Is calculator allowed in GRE if I bring my own? You cannot use your own calculator on the GRE.

II. What Kind of Calculator Do You Get on the GRE?

You will be provided with an on-screen calculator capable of basic math functions, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Do you get a calculator on the GRE that is physical? No physical calculator will be provided, nor can one be brought in from the outside. The calculator GRE exams allow you access to is limited in its capabilities because the quantitative reasoning section of the GRE exam, where the GRE calculator is used, is intended to test your mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking skills rather than your ability to use a calculator. In countries where the paper-based test is used, a basic, four-function handheld calculator is provided by the test center.

III. What Does the GRE Calculator Look Like?

The GRE on-screen calculator is similar in appearance to a basic four-function calculator. It is presented in a small floating window in the corner of your test screen. The on-screen calculator can be opened or closed as needed. The calculator display appears as follows: the top row contains the memory and clear buttons; the second has digits and buttons for basic division; the third has digits and buttons for basic multiplication, and the fourth has digits and buttons for subtraction. The fifth row contains the zero digit and the decimal, square root button, and addition buttons. The final row contains parenthesis buttons and the equal sign. The GRE calculator used on the GRE at home is identical to the calculator used at test centers. The GRE calculator is mouse-operated and you cannot use your computer keyboard to input values. The GRE calculator also contains a transfer display button. After an answer is computed on the calculator, instead of the test taker having to type this result into the answer box on the test, the transfer display button, when clicked, will copy the answer from the calculator directly into the answer box.

IV. Limitations of the On-Screen Calculator

The calculator on the GRE has several limitations when compared with more advanced calculators. It has no advanced functions and no memory function. The calculator for GRE exams has no exponents, so you need to calculate powers manually. It has no computer science functions, and it does not directly support scientific notations. You cannot enter or compute fractions using the GRE on screen calculator. The screen calculator also has no logarithms.

V. Tips for Using the GRE Calculator Effectively

The GRE calculator can help you, but be careful to avoid common mistakes with the GRE calculator. The on-screen calculator is useful when you are solving problems involving large numbers or decimals; in these instances, the GRE calculator can save you time. If you have to multiply, add, subtract, or divide large numbers, the calculator on the GRE can help you avoid errors. The GRE calculator can save you time if you’re asked to calculate square roots or convert units of measurement. A common mistake made with the calculator on the GRE is not familiarizing yourself with the calculator’s capabilities before test day. Studying the GRE calculator’s layout and functions beforehand can be incorporated into your GRE prep. An additional mistake is inputting numbers incorrectly and not double-checking before hitting enter, or forgetting to hit “clear” before entering a new calculation. Finally, overusing the calculator for equations that could be completed using mental math is a mistake that can potentially waste valuable test time. Use the calculator strategically and save it for more complex calculations.

VI. When It is Better Not to Use the Calculator

There are times when it is best not to use the on-screen calculator. Knowing when not to use the screen calculator might be as important as knowing when you should use it. If the math is straightforward, using mental math will allow you to arrive at the correct answer quicker than using the calculator. If a question asks you to identify a range or approximate value, estimating with mental math also saves time over using the calculator. The GRE exam also may contain “answer traps.” These are answer choices that match the answer you arrive at when plugging answers in the GRE on screen calculator, but these answers may be incorrect due to errors in logic. If you rely on the GRE calculator too much, you might overlook the actual concept the question is testing.

VII. Mental Math vs. Calculator Use

Mental math and calculator use on the GRE exam both have benefits and drawbacks. Mental math is slower for complex arithmetic but faster for basic math. Calculator use is faster for complex arithmetic but slower for basic math.  Mental math is largely dependable if you are confident with numbers. The calculator is highly accurate when it comes to complex calculations, but you must ensure that you input your calculations correctly. Mental math is best for estimations and quick arithmetic, and the calculator is more useful when faced with multi-step problems. The calculator is also a useful resource when it comes to checking your work. Mental math runs the risk of mental slip-ups, but the calculator is risky in that you may input numbers incorrectly.

VIII. Avoiding Time-Wasting Button Clicks

Steering clear of time-wasting button clicks when using the calculator on the GRE is crucial to your pace when taking the exam. As mentioned, don’t waste time clicking buttons on the calculator when you could be using mental math. Avoid clicking too many buttons by over-checking your work with the calculator, as this is a time trap. Avoid using the calculator buttons to check every step in a given problem; do rough work on paper or in your head. Do not waste time pressing buttons by converting all fractions to decimals on the calculator. Familiarize yourself with the most basic of these conversions before the exam. 

IX. Can You Bring Your Own Calculator to the GRE?

Many test takers wonder, “Can you use a calculator on the GRE if you bring your own?” It is strictly prohibited to bring your own calculator into the exam. The only GRE calculator allowed is the screen calculator that ETS provides for your use. If you bring your own calculator, you will be asked to leave it elsewhere. If you attempt to sneak in a calculator, you may be disqualified from taking the exam. The GRE is designed to be fair, meaning that all test takers need to use the same tools.

X. Is the Calculator the Same for the At-Home GRE?

The calculator on the GRE is exactly the same whether you take the GRE exam in a test center or at home. The interface remains identical in both cases, and the calculator’s capabilities are also the same. There is no extra advantage or disadvantage when it comes to using the GRE calculator at home or in a test center.  Success on the GRE is based less on where you take the exam and more on how much GRE prep you undertake. 

XI. How the Calculator Can Affect Your GRE Score

The calculator on the GRE can either help or harm your GRE score, depending on how it is used. The on screen calculator can help improve your score in terms of reducing errors in long division and multiplication. It can help to prevent minor mistakes in math that could cost you points on the exam. When you are faced with multi-step problems involving decimals or percent, the calculator might save you time if used carefully. The calculator on the GRE might also help you to feel more confident if you are not strong in math, as it can confirm your answers when doing complex arithmetic. Conversely, the calculator has the potential to harm your score because you might be more likely to punch in numbers without thinking, making you less attentive to the question at hand. As mentioned, the calculator can waste a lot of time if not used wisely. You might also input the wrong numbers in the calculator without realizing, and thus lose points. Losing even minor points on the GRE from calculator misuse can make a difference in your overall score range. 

XII. FAQ

Q: Can you use a calculator on the GRE for every section?

A: No, you are not able to use a calculator in every section of the GRE. A screen calculator is provided in the quantitative reasoning section of the exam, as this is the only place where you might need to use a calculator. The other sections of the GRE exam do not require math.

Q: Do you get a calculator on the GRE at home and at test centers?

A: Yes, the on screen calculator is available on both the GRE at home and in test centers. The screen calculator is exactly the same in both cases.

Q: What kind of calculator is provided on the GRE?

A: A simple, four-function calculator is provided. The calculator on GRE exams will appear on your screen during the quantitative reasoning section of the exam.

Q: Can you bring your own calculator to the GRE?

A: No, you are not allowed to bring your personal calculator to the GRE exam on test day. The only calculator use permitted is the screen calculator provided by the ETS.

Q: Is using the GRE calculator a good strategy for solving every question?

A: No, using the GRE calculator in this way is not a good strategy. If you overuse the calculator, it wastes time. If a problem or equation can be solved using mental math, avoid using the calculator. Use the GRE on screen calculator only when working with large numbers or more complex equations to avoid errors and save time.