Test Day Checklist

General calculator policy
Acceptable calculators are allowed for mathematics questions only. You will not be allowed to share calculators. You will be dismissed and your scores canceled if you use your calculator to share information during the test, or to remove test questions or answers from the test room.

Use of calculators during the SAT
Every question in the mathematics portion of the SAT can be solved without a calculator. However, we suggest that you bring and use a calculator, especially one with which you are familiar. We recommend the use of a scientific or graphing calculator. You may not use a calculator while working on the critical reading or writing portions, and must put the calculator away during these portions of the test.

Use of calculators during SAT Subject Tests
Some questions on the Mathematics Level 1 and Level 2 Subject Tests cannot be solved without a scientific or graphing calculator. We recommend the use of a graphing calculator rather than a scientific calculator. Calculators may only be used on the Mathematics Subject Tests. You may not use a calculator for other SAT Subject Tests and must put it away when not taking a mathematics test.

Calculator tips

• Bring a calculator with you, even if you're not sure if you will use it. Calculators will not be available at the test center.
• If you don't use a calculator regularly, practice using it on sample SAT mathematics questions before the test. Use a calculator with which you are familiar.
• All questions on the SAT can be answered without a calculator. The questions do not require complicated or tedious calculations.
• Don't buy an expensive, sophisticated calculator just to take the test. Although you can use them for the test, more sophisticated calculators are not required for any problem on the test.
• Don't try to use a calculator on every question. First, decide how to solve the problem, and then decide whether to use the calculator. The calculator is meant to aid you in problem solving select questions, not to get in the way.
• It may help to do scratch work in the test book. Get your thoughts down before using your calculator.
• Make sure your calculator is in good working order and that batteries are fresh. If your calculator fails during testing and you have no backup, you'll have to complete the test without it.

Acceptable calculators
Calculators permitted during testing are:

• Graphing calculators
• Scientific calculators
• Four-function calculators (not recommended)

If you have a calculator with characters that are one inch or higher, or if your calculator has a raised display that might be visible to other test-takers, you will be seated at the discretion of the test supervisor. You are not required to clear the memory on your calculator.

Unacceptable calculators
You are not allowed to use any of the following items as a calculator:

• Laptop or a portable/handheld computer
• Calculator that has QWERTY (keyboard-like) keypad, uses an electrical outlet, makes noise or has a paper tape
• Electronic writing pad or pen-input/stylus-driven device
• Pocket organizer
• Cell phone calculator

The SAT Program's policies for testing are designed to give every student an equal opportunity to demonstrate college readiness and to prevent anyone from gaining an unfair advantage. Here are some important things for you to expect when you take an SAT test:

• Test materials are secured before, during and after the test so that no unauthorized person has access to questions before taking the test.
• Timing of each section is strictly scheduled. This means that you cannot skip ahead or go back to a previous test or test section while taking either the SAT or SAT Subject Tests.
• No one should see the questions except you while you are taking the test. Sharing of test questions may enable others to attain inappropriately higher scores, thus decreasing the value of your score.
• Cell phone use is prohibited; students are strongly encouraged not to bring cell phones to the test center. If your phone makes noise, or you are seen using it at any time (including breaks), you may be dismissed immediately, your scores may be canceled, and the device may be confiscated. This policy also applies to any other prohibited digital or electronic device, such as a BlackBerry, pager, personal digital assistant, iPod, MP3 player, camera or other photographic equipment, or a separate timer of any kind. We strongly advise you not to bring them.
• Sharing essay questions or multiple-choice questions with anyone for any reason is a violation of test fairness policy.
• Never give questions to others (including your teachers) or discuss them by any means. This includes, but is not limited to, e-mail, text messages, exchanges via the Internet, or any other form of communication. Discussing the essay question (but not multiple-choice questions) is permissible after it is available online.
• If your essay does not reflect your original and individual work, all of your test scores may be canceled.
• You may not consult textbooks, other people, electronic devices or any other resources during breaks.
• Violation of test security policies will result in score cancellation. See the SAT Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the screen in your MY SAT account or the SAT Paper Registration Guide for more information about how the SAT Program responds to test security issues and safeguards your rights as a test-taker.

• You are not allowed to use a CD player with recording or duplicating capabilities.
• Make sure your CD player is in good working order.
• Insert fresh batteries the day before the test. You may bring additional batteries and a backup player to the test center. Test center staff will not have batteries, CD players or earphones for your use.
• You may not share a CD player with another test-taker.
• If the volume on your CD player disturbs other test-takers, the test center supervisor may ask you to lower the volume or move to another seat.
• If your CD player malfunctions:
  • Raise your hand and tell the test supervisor.
  • Use backup equipment and continue to test. If you do not have any backup equipment, you may request that your score on the listening test be canceled. Notify the room supervisor and obtain a Request to Cancel Scores Form. Scores for other SAT Subject Tests you take that day will not be canceled. Learn more.
• If you are given a defective CD on test day, raise your hand and ask the supervisor for a replacement.