Can You Use a Calculator on the MAE Test?

An expert guide and policy checker for the NWEA MAP Growth Assessment (formerly the Mathematics Advisory Exam or MAE).

MAE Calculator Policy Checker

What is the MAE / MAP Growth Test?

The term “MAE” often refers to a university-level Mathematics Advisory Exam or Math Placement Exam. However, in the context of K-12 education, it’s frequently confused with the NWEA™ MAP® Growth™ test. This article addresses the calculator policy for the K-12 NWEA MAP Growth assessment, which is designed to measure a student’s academic progress.

MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive test, meaning the difficulty of each question is based on the student’s answer to the previous one. It’s used by schools to measure student growth and inform instruction in subjects like mathematics, reading, and science.

The Official NWEA Calculator Policy

The answer to “can you use a calculator on the MAE” or MAP Growth test is nuanced. Students cannot bring their own calculators. However, the test provides a built-in, on-screen calculator for specific questions only.

The guiding principle is not the student’s grade level, but the skill being assessed. A calculator is provided when the question is designed to measure higher-level reasoning or problem-solving, and not basic computational fluency.

Policy Breakdown Table

This table outlines the general calculator policy by subject and grade level.

Variable	Meaning	Typical Policy
Grades K-5 Math	Testing foundational number sense and computation.	No calculator is provided. NWEA removed calculators for this range to align with state testing standards and focus on computational skills.
Grades 6+ Math	Testing complex problem-solving, algebra, geometry.	An on-screen calculator appears automatically for questions where it’s deemed appropriate. Students cannot choose to use it if it doesn’t appear.
Reading & Language Arts	Testing comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills.	No calculator is necessary or provided.
Science	Testing scientific concepts and data interpretation.	Similar to math, a calculator may be provided for specific questions requiring calculation (e.g., density, conversions).

Practical Examples

Example 1: Elementary School Student

• Student: 4th Grade
• Subject: Mathematics
• Question Type: Multi-digit multiplication (e.g., 145 x 23)
• Calculator Access: No. The test is assessing the student’s ability to perform the calculation itself.

Example 2: Middle School Student

• Student: 8th Grade
• Subject: Mathematics
• Question Type: Pythagorean theorem problem with complex numbers (e.g., finding the hypotenuse of a triangle with legs 8.5 and 11.2).
• Calculator Access: Yes. An on-screen calculator would likely appear. The test is assessing the student’s knowledge of the theorem, not their ability to manually calculate square roots of decimals.

For more details on test preparation, see our Test Preparation Guide.

How to Use This MAE Calculator Policy Checker

Our tool simplifies the official NWEA policy into a quick and easy answer. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select Grade Level: Choose the student’s grade from the first dropdown menu.
2. Select Subject: Pick the subject for the test session in the second dropdown.
3. Review the Result: The tool will instantly provide the most likely calculator policy based on your selections, including an explanation and a likelihood visual.

The results from this tool should be used as a guideline. The final decision for calculator availability is always determined by the NWEA test on a per-question basis.

Key Factors That Affect Calculator Availability

Several factors determine whether a student will see that calculator icon appear on their screen during the MAP Growth test.

• 1. The Assessed Skill: This is the most important factor. If the goal is to see if a student can compute, no calculator is offered. If the goal is to see if they can solve a complex problem, a calculator may be offered to assist.
• 2. Grade-Level Standards: While the test is adaptive, the questions are aligned to educational standards. Calculators generally begin appearing for standards taught in Grade 6 and higher.
• 3. Test Subject: Calculators are primarily a tool for Math and some Science questions. They are irrelevant for Reading and Language Arts assessments.
• 4. Item-Specific Design: Each question in the NWEA item bank is individually flagged by test developers to either allow or disallow a calculator.
• 5. Student Accommodations: Students with specific IEP or 504 plans may have accommodations regarding calculator use, such as a talking or braille calculator, but this is managed separately.
• 6. Equity Considerations: Providing a standardized, embedded calculator ensures that no student is disadvantaged by not owning a specific type of physical calculator.

To understand how scores are calculated, visit our guide on MAP Growth Scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can my child bring their own TI-84 or scientific calculator?

No. External physical calculators are strictly forbidden to ensure a standardized testing environment. Only the on-screen calculator provided by the test may be used.

2. What if a calculator doesn’t appear for a math problem?

This is intentional. If no calculator is provided, it means the question is designed to be solved without one, likely to assess mental math or paper-and-pencil computation skills.

3. Is the calculator available for all middle and high school math questions?

No. It is only available for specific questions where the focus is not on the calculation itself. Simpler problems on a 7th-grade test, for example, may not have a calculator.

4. What kind of calculator is it (basic or scientific)?

The type of calculator (basic 4-function or scientific) matches the needs of the question. More complex problems will be accompanied by a scientific calculator. Graphing calculators are no longer used.

5. How can my child practice for the test?

Focus on foundational math facts and problem-solving strategies. For practicing with a similar on-screen tool, NWEA recommends using the Desmos calculator. Explore our Math Practice Worksheets for more resources.

6. What if my student has an IEP allowing calculator use?

This is a designated accommodation. The school’s test coordinator should ensure this setting is enabled for the student before testing begins, which might allow the calculator on more items or provide assistive versions.

7. Why is it important to know if I can use a calculator on the MAE?

Understanding the calculator policy helps set correct expectations. Students should know they can’t rely on a calculator for every problem and must be prepared to use their mental math and paper-and-pencil skills.

8. Where can I find the official MAE or MAP Growth calculator policy?

The official policy is available on the NWEA Connection website. This page summarizes their guidelines. You can check their resources for more parent information.