Education Technology
Sign Up for TI Emails

What TI Calculator Is Approved for ACT Math?

Posted 01/29/2026 by Jeff McCalla (@jmccalla1); Updated from 10/25/2018

About the author: Jeff McCalla, author of "TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator for Dummies", 2nd ed. (Wiley, 2022) and "TI-Nspire for Dummies", 2nd ed. (Wiley, 2011), teaches math at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee. McCalla received the Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2009.




As the testing coordinator at my high school for more than seven years, I have found that there is some confusion about which calculators are allowed for use on the ACT® exam. To help clarify the ACT calculator policy, this article highlights:
  1. Prohibited TI Calculators on the ACT
  2. Allowed TI Calculators on the ACT
  3. ACT Calculator Policy Enforcement
  4. ACT Test Prep Resources

Red Line


1. Prohibited TI Calculators on the ACT

First, let’s look at which TI calculators are prohibited according to the ACT calculator policy.

 

TI calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system (CAS) functionality are not allowed.
  • All model numbers that begin with TI-89 or TI-92
  • TI-Nspire™ CX CAS graphing calculator
  • TI-Nspire™ CX II CAS graphing calculator

*Note: Other TI-Nspire™ graphing calculators are permitted if not marked CAS.

When the TI-Nspire™ series was first introduced in 2011, there was some confusion about ACT’s calculator policy. At the time, I had multiple students who came to take the ACT with a TI-Nspire™ handheld and were erroneously told that they couldn’t use that on the ACT.

After a few years, the ACT made the directions clearer for the test administrators by noting: “The TI-Nspire™ is permitted if not marked CAS.” The TI naming convention being so similar (i.e. TI-Nspire™ CX vs. TI-Nspire™ CX CAS) may have contributed to the problem.

Red Line


2. Allowed TI Calculators on the ACT

The following types of TI calculators are permitted, but only after they are modified as noted:
  • Calculators that can hold programs or documents: Remove all documents and remove all programs that have CAS functionality.

In September 2017, the calculator policy changed to include the language above. In other words, all versions of TI-84 series and TI-Nspire™ series (excluding CAS versions) are allowed on the ACT exam. However, these calculators have the ability for programs or apps to be added that provide CAS capabilities, which would enable them to perform calculus commands like integrals and derivatives and provide algebraic answers in simplest form, rather than only finding numeric answers.

Any program or app that gives you algebraic solutions is not allowed on TI-84 series or TI-Nspire™ series graphing calculators.

A visual comparison that highlights the differences between CAS and non-CAS functionalities. The CAS version provides algebraic answers in simplest form.

All versions of TI-84 series and TI-Nspire™ series (excluding CAS versions) are allowed on the ACT exam.

TI provides a helpful comparison chart that summarizes which calculators are allowed on standardized tests.



Red Line


3. ACT Calculator Policy Enforcement

How does the ACT enforce the CAS functionality portion of their calculator policy? It’s unlikely test administrators will clear each student’s calculator of any possible programs or apps. While the TI-84 series and TI-Nspire™ series graphing calculators feature Press-to-Test Mode that can restrict access to certain commands, the ACT does not strictly require it to be enabled.

Instead, the CAS functionality portion of ACT’s calculator policy is enforced using the honor system. The test administrators read this policy to students before starting the exam, and students should comply by deleting any prohibited apps or programs from their calculator.


The CAS functionality portion of ACT’s calculator policy is enforced using the honor system.


Red Line


4. ACT Test Prep Resources

Looking for additional resources to help your students prepare for the ACT math test? Here are some helpful links:


ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT, Inc. which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, TI products. Policies subject to change. Visit www.act.org.

Tags:

Tagcloud

Math STEM coding TI-84 Plus CE classroom resources science Python activity TI-Nspire CX II graphing calculator STEM and coding Back To School TI calculus high school instructional practices TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculator computer science school

Archive

Syndication

© Copyright 1995-2026 Texas Instruments Incorporated. All rights reserved.

TrademarksSoftware Data PolicyPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms of UseTerms of Sale & ServicesSupply Chain Transparency
About UsNews CenterContact TISign up for TI EmailsUS and Canada