Top Calculators for the PSAT 2023: Quick Review
If you are a PSAT math test taker, you may find it difficult to choose an appropriate calculator for the PSAT math test from the dozens approved by the Collegeboard.
On the other hand, the math section of the PSAT test has a lot of calculations that require students to use the right calculator to make their work easier.
So, if you are a hardworking student taking the PSAT Test, you need to follow us to the end of this article!
Here, we help you arm yourself with the best calculator for the PSAT test by introducing 5 of the best-permitted calculators for the PSAT math test.
If you are looking for a complete list of authorized calculators on the PSAT Math test, see here.
- 1- Texas Instruments Nspire CX II CAS
- 2- Texas Instruments TI-84 PLUS CE
- 3- Casio fx-300ES PLUS
- 4- Casio FX115ESPLUS
- 5- Texas Instruments TI-34 MultiView
The Absolute Best Book to Ace the PSAT Math Test
Texas Instruments Nspire CX CAS Graphing Calculator
The TI-Nspire CX II CAS is a popular and powerful Graphing Calculator that is the first choice of many SAT and PSAT test-takers.
However, this calculator cannot be used in the ACT because it’s so advanced.
It has a built-in Computer Algebra System (CAS) that allows you to solve algebraic equations and expressions without any problems.
This device is a powerful tool for solving problems of pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, and statistics.
Its screen is full-colored and with its backlight display, you can read in low light easily.
With the help of TI-Nspire CX CAS, you can establish the connection between equations, graphs, and shapes faster and stronger.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- High performance and unique features
- Backlit color display
- Rechargeable battery
- CAS functionality
- Ample RAM
Cons:
- Not allowed in ACT
- It’s expensive
Texas Instruments TI-84 PLUS CE Graphing Calculator
The TI-84 Plus is one of the thinnest models of the Texas Instruments brand in terms of the body, so it’s a good choice for carrying around easily.
This calculator has all the graphing functions, which makes it a popular calculator among users.
It has a math print feature that allows you to view math formulas and symbols exactly as they appear in textbooks.
Its screen is full color and its backlit display makes this device suitable for studying in low light.
This device with a rechargeable TI battery is an eco-friendly option. The TI-84 Plus is suitable for calculations on topics such as pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2, trigonometry, geometry, calculus, statistics, and instrumental physics.
Pros:
- High-resolution, full-color backlit display
- Sleek Design
- Rechargeable TI battery
- Eco-friendly option
- Perfect choice for students
- Approved for use on SAT, AP, PSAT/NMSQT, and ACT exams
- 30% thinner than the previous Texas Instruments models
Cons:
- Low quality of the materials used in the body
- Expensive compared to the performance
- There is no backspace button
Casio fx-300ES PLUS Scientific Calculator
The fx-300ES PLUS is one of the latest Casio standard scientific calculators that can be a great choice for PSAT test-takers.
It has more than 200 features to perform calculations correctly and efficiently.
In addition to having a large, multi-line display, the Multi-Replay function allows you to edit expressions and calculations step by step to get the correct answer.
You are allowed to use the fx-300ES PLUS on the PSAT / NMSQT, SAT, ACT, and AP tests.
This device is designed to meet your needs in general mathematics, trigonometry, statistics, algebra 1 and 2, pre-algebra, geometry, and physics.
Pros:
- Multi-line display
- Large screen
- Solar Plus with Battery Back-up
- Natural Textbook Display
- Perfect choice for students
- Approved for use on SAT, AP, PSAT/NMSQT, and ACT exams
- Over 200 features and calculations
Cons:
- Doesn’t support the more advanced functions
- For some users, it’s complicated to use
Casio FX115ESPLUS Scientific Calculator
Casio fx-115ES PLUS is another good choice for students who want to take the PSAT math test.
The display type of this device is Natural Textbook Display, which is very clear and visible.
It has a protective hard case that protects it from possible damage.
Suitable for those who need a suitable device to solve problems related to general mathematics, trigonometry, statistics, algebra 1 and 2, calculus, engineering, and physics.
This calculator is designed to be powered by solar power and has a battery backup supply.
Casio fx-115ES PLUS is designed to improve your math performance on the PSAT math test.
Pros:
- Great layout
- Protective hard case
- Organized keyboard design
- Natural textbook display
- Powered by solar power
- features battery backup supply for reliable use
Cons:
- It’s complicated to use
- Expensive compared to the performance
Texas Instruments TI-34 MultiView Scientific Calculator
Although the TI-34 MultiView is the last option on our list, it is still one of the most suitable calculators allowed for the PSAT math test.
Its 4-line display allows you to navigate and edit inputs easily.
Its pull-down menu makes it easy to use this calculator.
Also, in this device, you can easily explore the (x, y) table of values for a given function by entering specific x values.
You can also review previous entries and look for patterns.
The TI-34 MultiView, like the TI-84 Plus, has a MathPrint feature.
This device is suitable for Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and 2, General Science, and Geometry topics.
Pros:
- 4-line display
- MathPrint feature
- pull-down menu
- Advanced fraction capabilities
- Step-by-step fraction simplification
- Solar and battery-powered
Cons:
- Trig functions are not quickly accessible
- The instructions are sometimes confusing
This list is prepared to help you choose the calculator that suits your needs.
All of the items listed in this article are approved PSAT calculators. These products are high-quality devices.
Now that you are familiar with the top PSAT math calculators, you have taken an important step in preparing for the PSAT math test.
Our experts hope that according to the tips provided in this article, you will be able to make the best choice to suit your needs to pass the PSAT test.
What Types of Calculators Are Approved for PSAT Mah Test?
You are only allowed to use these three types of calculators on PSAT Math Test day:
- Four-function calculators
- Scientific calculators
- Graphing calculators
Which Type of Calculator Is The Best Choice for The PSAT Math Test?
Of course scientific or graphing calculator! You are also allowed to use the four-function calculator during the PSAT math test. However, during the PSAT math test, you may encounter problems that solving require a device that does more than addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For this reason, it is best to invest in a calculator other than the four-function calculator for the PSAT math test.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Scientific Calculator for the PSAT Math Test?
A scientific calculator can be just what you need for a PSAT math test. The scientific calculator performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly and, like graphing calculators, will not make you confused on the day of the test with additional unnecessary features.
Scientific calculators have keys for Parentheses, pi, and trigonometric functions that you desperately need to solve PSAT math problems.
It is good to know that all scientific calculators are allowed on PSAT so you can get the right one for your needs.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Graphing Calculator for the PSAT Math Test?
As you may know, graphing calculators have more advanced functions than scientific calculators.
Graphing calculators have all the features of a four-function calculator and a scientific calculator.
In addition, graphing calculators have special entry-line features that make them suitable for solving linear equations during the PSAT math test.
If you plan to use a graphing calculator for the PSAT math test, remember two-point. First, you need to know that not all graphing calculators are allowed on the PSAT math test.
Also, as mentioned, graphing calculators have additional functions that if you do not have the master to use, may confuse you on the day of the test.
What Functions Should You Look For In a PSAT Calculator?
- Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division
- Parentheses
- Trigonometric Functions
- Pi
Which Calculators You May NOT Use For The PSAT Math Test?
The calculator you are allowed to use for the PSAT math test should not be the following calculator:
- A calculator that has a pen or stylus
- A wireless calculator or Bluetooth-connected calculator
- A calculator that can make noise or play audio
- A calculator should be plugged in to use
- A calculator which is part of a portable computer
- A calculator that can go online
- A calculator which has QWERTY or typewriter
- A calculator with paper tape
- A calculator that can be a cell phone
- A calculator which has a camera
The List of Approved Calculators for the PSAT Math Test
- FX-6000 series
- FX-6200 series
- FX-6300 series
- FX-6500 series
- FX-7000 series
- FX-7300 series
- FX-7400 series
- FX-7500 series
- FX-7700 series
- FX-7800 series
- FX-8000 series
- FX-8500 series
- FX-8700 series
- FX-8800 series
- Graph25 series
- FX-9700 series
- FX-9750 series
- FX-9860 series
- CFX-9800 series
- CFX-9850 series
- CFX-9950 series
- CFX-9970 series
- FX 1.0 series
- Algebra FX 2.0 series
- FX-CG-10
- FX-CG-20 series
- FX-CG-50
- Graph35 series
- Graph75 series
- Graph95 series
- Graph100 series
- FX-CG-500
- TI-73
- TI-80
- TI-81
- TI-82
- TI-83
- TI-83 Plus
- TI-83 Plus Silver
- TI-84 Plus
- TI-84 Plus CE
- TI-84 Plus CE Python
- TI-84 Plus Silver
- TI-84 Plus C Silver
- TI-84 Plus T
- TI-84 Plus CE-T
- TI-84 Plus CE-T Python Edition
- TI-85
- TI-86
- TI-89
- TI-89 Titanium
- TI-Nspire
- TI-Nspire CX
- TI-Nspire CX II
- TI-Nspire CX II-T
- TI-Nspire CM-C
- TI-Nspire CAS
- TI-Nspire CX CAS
- TI-Nspire CX II CAS
- TI-Nspire CX II-T CAS
- TI-Nspire CM-C CAS
- TI-Nspire CX-C CAS
- TI-Nspire CX II-C CAS
- HP-9G
- HP-28 series
- HP-38G
- HP-39 series
- HP-40 series
- HP-48 series
- HP-49 series
- HP-50 series
- HP Prime
- EC-4033
- EC-4034
- EC-4037
- EL-5200
- EL-9200 series
- EL-9300 series
- EL-9600 series
- EL-9900 series
- Datexx DS-883
- Micronta
- NumWorks
- Smart2
PSAT Cаlсulаtоr Tiрѕ
PSAT mау nоt bе thе regular competitive еxаminаtiоn thаt саn dесidе thе саrееr раth ѕuсh as SAT, but рrераring fоr PSAT can bе greatly hеlрful tо gеt a national mеrit ѕсhоlаrѕhiр and аlѕо ѕсоrе highеr in SAT examination.
Uѕuаllу, it iѕ the ѕtudеntѕ in thе junior year whо арреаr fоr PSAT аnd effective preparation for it will ѕtrеngthеn thе SAT preparation аѕ wеll.
Thе mаin intеnt of PSAT iѕ to рrераrе thе student fоr thе SAT аnd bоth thе tеѕtѕ ѕhаrе a lоt of ѕimilаritiеѕ.
Even if the ѕtudеnt рlаnѕ tо tаkе thе ACT inѕtеаd оf thе SAT, рrераring for PSAT gives a gооd insight into the exam раttеrn and bооѕtѕ соnfidеnсе lеvеlѕ.
Interestingly, thе PSAT ѕсоrе саn be аn еffесtivе predictor оf thе SAT ѕсоrе- despite thе ѕсоring differences.
TIPS
Tiр 1: Bring an Aррrоvеd Cаlсulаtоr to thе Test
It’ѕ bеttеr tо have a calculator уоu саn uѕе and еnd up not nееding it than tо nееd a саlсulаtоr аnd nоt have оnе.
Thе ѕаmе thing gоеѕ fоr making sure it’s аn approved саlсulаtоr; thеrе’ѕ nо роint in bringing a calculator with you thаt you саn’t use.
Tip 2: Bе Familiar With Yоur Calculator
Onе оf thе main reasons tо use a calculator iѕ that it еnhаnсеѕ уоur speed аnd accuracy оn thе test.
If уоu’rе uѕing a саlсulаtоr you’ve nеvеr uѕеd bеfоrе, уоu’ll bе slower and mоrе prone to еrrоrѕ, nо mаttеr hоw fаnсу thе calculator is.
Avoid test-day реril bу using thе саlсulаtоr уоu рlаn to use оn thе PSAT fоr your everyday schoolwork and hоmеwоrk as muсh аѕ possible. That wау, whеn PSAT timе соmеѕ, you’ll be соmfоrtаblе with уоur саlсulаtоr.
Tip 3: Check the Calculator’s Entry Linе
Whеn уоu’rе dоing саlсulаtiоnѕ during thе test, it саn bе easy tо gеt caught up in thе ruѕh tо finish thе tеѕt in timе аnd ассidеntаllу hit “8” inѕtеаd оf “5,” or “x” instead оf “-“.
Tо limit thе imрасt оf thеѕе еrrоrѕ on уоu, dоublе-сhесk thе еntrу linе before hitting “еntеr” tо make ѕurе уоu hаvеn’t еntеrеd in thе wrong number or ореrаtiоn.
Double-checking thе entry linе is раrtiсulаrlу important if you’re nоt using a graphing саlсulаtоr that kеерѕ a running log оf аll thе саlсulаtiоnѕ you’ve done.
Tip 4: Know When Not to Uѕе Your Cаlсulаtоr
Especially if you hаvе a graphing calculator, it саn seem likе thе еаѕiеr thing tо do iѕ tо lеt the саlсulаtоr wоrk fоr уоu.
Mеtiсulоuѕlу entering in аn еԛuаtiоn intо the саlсulаtоr аnd getting it tо ѕоlvе it fоr уоu, however, can tаkе way more timе than juѕt doing it by hаnd wоuld. This dоеѕn’t mean уоu ѕhоuldnot use thе саlсulаtоr аt аll; rаthеr, uѕе it аѕ a ѕuррlеmеnt tо уоur ѕkillѕ, rаthеr thаn as a rерlасеmеnt.
Tiр 5: Addrеѕѕ thе Fаultѕ
It is by making mistakes, оnе tеndѕ tо imрrоvе tоwаrdѕ bеttеr ѕсоrеѕ аnd undеrѕtаnd thе аrеаѕ оf imрrоvеmеnt.
Take timе tо аddrеѕѕ thе fаultѕ during thе PSAT рrераrаtiоn and wоrk оn trаnѕfоrming them intо ѕtrеngthѕ. Thе strategic mеthоd оf wоrking tоwаrdѕ ѕuссеѕѕ саn bе greatly hаndу.
PSAT Math FREE Resources:
- The Ultimate PSAT Math Course
- PSAT Math Formulas
- PSAT Math Worksheets
- Full-Length PSAT Math Practice Test
- FREE PSAT Math Practice Test
- Top 10 Free Websites for PSAT / NMSQT Math Preparation
The Best Books to Ace the PSAT Math Test
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