Yes, every TI-84 model is allowed on the SAT, PSAT, and ACT, including the TI-84 Plus CE, the CE Python, and the new TI-84 Evo. It is also approved for AP exams that allow calculators and for IB exams. The GRE is the exception, since it allows only its own on-screen calculator.
Calculator rules by exam
The table shows each calculator against each exam. The checker above reads from this same table.
| Calculator | SAT and PSAT | ACT | AP | IB | GRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TI-84 Plus | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-84 Plus CE | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-84 Plus CE Python | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-84 Evo | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-Nspire CX II | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-Nspire CX II CAS | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed |
| TI-89 Titanium | Not allowed | Not allowed | Allowed | Check with your school | Not allowed |
Rules change, so check the official page for your exam a week before test day. A school can also add its own limits for in class tests.
What gets a calculator banned
The SAT and ACT ban calculators by feature, not by brand. The biggest one is CAS, a computer algebra system that solves equations with letters, such as factoring x² − 9 for you. Any model with CAS in its name is out on both tests.
Both tests also ban calculators with a QWERTY keyboard and anything built into a phone, tablet, or laptop. The SAT policy also names devices with internet, Bluetooth, or cellular connections. The TI-84 has none of these, which is why every model passes.
AP exams are the odd one out. They allow CAS models like the TI-Nspire CX II CAS on exams where calculators are permitted, so a calculator that is fine for AP Calculus may still be banned on the SAT.
How to get your TI-84 ready for test day
- Charge the battery the night before, or put in fresh AAA batteries on an older TI-84 Plus.
- Delete any program with CAS features if you are taking the ACT.
- Clear memory if your exam or school asks for it. The TI-84 reset guide shows each option.
- Pack a backup calculator for AP exams, where you may bring two.
- Practice with the same calculator you will bring, so the menus feel automatic.
For practice without the handheld, the free TI-84 calculator online uses the same keys and menus. It is for study only, since none of these exams allow websites.
FAQ
Is the TI-84 Plus CE allowed on the SAT?
Yes. The TI-84 Plus CE is a graphing calculator without CAS, which is exactly the type the SAT allows. You can use it on the entire Math section. The Python edition and the TI-84 Evo are allowed too, and so is the Desmos calculator built into the Bluebook app.
Is the TI-84 Evo allowed on the ACT?
Yes. The ACT bans only CAS models such as the TI-89, the TI-92, and the TI-Nspire CAS, and the TI-84 Evo has no CAS. Texas Instruments lists the Evo as approved for the ACT. Remember that calculators are allowed only on the math test.
Is the TI-Nspire allowed on the ACT?
Only the non-CAS version. The TI-Nspire CX II is allowed, but the TI-Nspire CAS and the CX II CAS are banned. Check the back or the screen of the calculator for the letters CAS. If you see them, bring a different calculator, such as any TI-84 model.
Can I use an online calculator on the SAT?
Only the one inside the test. The SAT runs in the Bluebook app, which includes a Desmos graphing and scientific calculator. You cannot open other websites, including this one. Practice with Desmos and with your own handheld so you can pick the faster tool on test day.
Can you bring a calculator to the GRE?
No. The GRE does not allow personal calculators of any kind, including the TI-84. During the Quantitative Reasoning sections you get a basic on-screen calculator that adds, subtracts, multiplies, divides, and takes square roots. Practice mental math, since that tool is slower than a handheld.