Can You Use a Calculator on the GRE Test?

An interactive guide to the official GRE calculator rules.

GRE Section Calculator Policy Checker

Select a section of the GRE General Test to see if an on-screen calculator is provided.

What is the GRE Calculator Policy?

A common question for prospective test-takers is: can you use a calculator on the GRE test? The answer is yes, but with important restrictions. You are not allowed to bring your own calculator. Instead, for specific sections of the test, an on-screen calculator is provided. The availability of this tool is strictly limited to the Quantitative Reasoning sections.

For the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections, no calculator is provided or permitted. This policy ensures fairness and tests the appropriate skills for each section. Understanding when and how to use the provided calculator is a key part of an effective GRE test-taking strategy.

The GRE On-Screen Calculator and Its Functions

The calculator provided during the GRE is a basic, on-screen tool. It is not a scientific calculator. Its functionality is limited to essential operations to assist with tedious arithmetic, not to solve complex problems for you.

Primary Functions Table

Features of the Official GRE On-Screen Calculator

Function	Description	Symbol / Button
Basic Arithmetic	Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division.	+, -, *, /
Square Root	Calculates the square root of a positive number.	√
Memory	Store (M+), Recall (MR), and Clear (MC) a single value.	M+, MR, MC
Parentheses	Allows for grouping operations to follow the order of operations.	( )
Transfer Display	For Numeric Entry questions, this button transfers the result directly to the answer box.	Transfer Display

The calculator correctly follows the standard order of operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS). For example, in the expression 1 + 2 * 4, it will calculate 2 * 4 first, then add 1, for a correct result of 9.

Practical Examples

Example 1: When the Calculator is Essential

Question: A company’s profit was $5,890,450 in a year. If the profit is to be distributed equally among 2,150 shareholders, approximately how much will each shareholder receive?

Analysis: This involves a long division problem (5,890,450 / 2,150). Doing this by hand would be very time-consuming and prone to error. Using the on-screen calculator is the ideal strategy here to quickly find the approximate answer of $2,740.

Example 2: When Mental Math is Better

Question: Which is greater, 51% of 80 or 49% of 80?

Analysis: You could use the calculator twice (0.51 * 80 and 0.49 * 80), but it’s much faster to use reasoning. Since 51% is a greater percentage than 49%, 51% of the same number (80) must be the greater value. No calculation is needed. Relying on the calculator here would waste valuable time. For more tips on timing, see our GRE Test-Taking Strategies.

How to Use This GRE Calculator Policy Checker

Our tool at the top of this page is designed to give you an instant answer regarding the calculator policy for any section of the GRE.

1. Select the Section: Click the dropdown menu and choose the GRE section you’re curious about (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, or Analytical Writing).
2. View the Result: The tool will immediately display a clear ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer, along with a brief explanation of the policy for that specific section.
3. Reset if Needed: Click the ‘Reset’ button to clear the selection and result.

Key Factors That Affect Calculator Strategy

• Time Management: Over-reliance on the calculator for simple math can drain your time. Use it strategically for complex arithmetic.
• Question Complexity: Many GRE Quant questions are about logic and reasoning, not hard calculation. Always analyze the question before reaching for the calculator.
• Mental Math Skills: Being able to perform simple calculations mentally is one of the fastest ways to improve your Quant score.
• Estimation: Often, you can estimate the answer to determine if your calculated result is reasonable, helping to catch key-entry errors.
• Number Properties: Understanding concepts like even/odd numbers, divisibility rules, and prime numbers can often solve a problem faster than a calculator can.
• Practice: Use the free POWERPREP Online practice tests from ETS to get familiar with the on-screen calculator’s interface and functionality. Explore our GRE Quant Practice guide for more exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about can you use calculator on gre test

1. Can I bring my own calculator to the GRE test?

No, personal calculators are strictly prohibited. You must use the on-screen calculator provided by ETS during the exam.

2. Is the GRE calculator available for all sections?

No, it is only available for the Quantitative Reasoning sections. It is not available for the Verbal Reasoning or Analytical Writing sections.

3. Is the GRE calculator a scientific calculator?

No, it is a basic 4-function calculator with a square root and memory functions. It does not have advanced functions like exponents, logarithms, or trigonometry.

4. Should I use the calculator on every GRE Quant question?

No, this is not a good strategy. Many questions are designed to be solved faster with logical reasoning or mental math. Overusing the calculator can waste precious time. For scoring information, check out our GRE Score Improvement guide.

5. Where can I practice with an official GRE calculator?

The official ETS POWERPREP Online practice tests include the same on-screen calculator you will see on test day. This is the best way to get familiar with it.

6. Does the GRE at Home test have the same calculator?

Yes, the GRE General Test taken at home has the same on-screen calculator and the same rules as the test taken at a center.

7. What happens if the calculator gives an error?

The calculator will display “ERROR” if you perform an undefined operation, such as dividing by zero or taking the square root of a negative number.

8. What is the ‘Transfer Display’ button for?

This button is a time-saver for Numeric Entry questions. It copies the number on the calculator’s display directly into the answer box, reducing the chance of a typo.