Can a Calculator Be Used on the Smarter Balanced Test? An Interactive Checker

This tool helps you determine if a calculator is permitted based on the official Smarter Balanced (SBAC) assessment guidelines. Select the grade, subject, and test section below.

Smarter Balanced Calculator Policy Checker

What is the Smarter Balanced Calculator Policy?

The question, “can a calculator be use on smarter balanced tests,” is critical for students, parents, and educators. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) has a specific and varied calculator policy designed to measure a student’s full range of mathematical skills. Some portions of the test are designed to assess computational fluency without a calculator, while others allow a calculator to focus on complex problem-solving. For the online version of the test, students cannot use their own handheld devices; instead, an appropriate online calculator is provided automatically by the testing software when permitted. This ensures fairness and consistency for all test-takers.

Smarter Balanced Calculator Rules Explained

The availability and type of calculator are not random; they are strictly determined by grade level and the specific section of the mathematics test. The test is divided into segments where a calculator is available and where it is not. This approach allows the assessment to measure both a student’s ability to perform calculations by hand and their ability to use tools to solve more complex problems.

Summary of Smarter Balanced Calculator Availability by Grade

Grade Level	Calculator Type Allowed	When is it Available?
Grades 3–5	None	Calculators are not permitted on any part of the math assessment.
Grade 6	Four-Function	Available for a specific “calculator available” segment of the test (approx. 50% of questions).
Grades 7–8	Scientific	Available for a specific “calculator available” segment of the test (approx. 70-80% of questions).
Grade 11 (High School)	Graphing / Scientific / Regression	An embedded Desmos-powered graphing calculator is available for the “calculator available” segment.

Calculator Functionality by Grade Level

The chart below visualizes the increasing complexity of the calculator tool provided to students as they advance through the grade levels, reflecting the increasing demands of the curriculum.

Chart depicting the type of calculator available for each Smarter Balanced grade band.

Practical Examples

Understanding the policy is easier with concrete examples. Here are a few scenarios that clarify when and how a student might use a calculator on the Smarter Balanced test.

Example 1: A 6th Grade Student

• Inputs: Grade 6, Mathematics, Computer Adaptive Test (CAT).
• Scenario: The student begins the math CAT. The first segment of questions will not have a calculator available, testing basic fluency. After completing this segment, the testing system will automatically enable an embedded four-function calculator for the next set of questions.
• Result: The student has access to a basic calculator for about half of the test.

Example 2: An 8th Grade Student

• Inputs: Grade 8, Mathematics, Performance Task (PT).
• Scenario: For the Performance Task, which involves multi-step problems, the student will have an embedded scientific calculator available for the parts of the task that require more complex calculations.
• Result: A scientific calculator is provided as a tool to aid in solving complex, real-world problems. For information on practice tests, you might review our SBAC Practice Tests.

How to Use This Smarter Balanced Calculator Checker

Using this tool is straightforward and provides instant clarity on whether a calculator can be use on smarter balanced assessments for your specific situation.

1. Select Grade Level: Choose the student’s grade from the dropdown menu. The policy changes significantly between grade bands.
2. Choose Test Subject: Select either “Mathematics” or “English Language Arts.” Note that calculators are generally not applicable to the ELA test.
3. Pick the Test Segment: Indicate whether you are asking about the Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) or the Performance Task (PT).
4. Review the Results: The tool will immediately display a clear “Yes,” “No,” or “It Depends,” along with a detailed explanation of the specific policy, the type of calculator provided, and when it is available. For more testing strategies, check our guide on Effective Test-Taking Strategies.

Key Factors That Affect Calculator Use on the Smarter Balanced Test

Several key factors determine the calculator policy. It’s not a one-size-fits-all rule, which often causes confusion.

• Grade Level: This is the primary factor. The cognitive and curriculum expectations for a 3rd grader are very different from a high school student, and the policy reflects this.
• Test Subject: The policy is designed for the Mathematics assessment. Calculators are not a feature of the English Language Arts (ELA) assessment.
• Assessment Construct: The purpose of a specific set of questions determines calculator availability. If the goal is to measure mental math or computational fluency, calculators are disabled. If the goal is to measure problem-solving with complex numbers, they are enabled.
• Test Segment (CAT vs. PT): Both the Computer Adaptive Test and the Performance Task have sections where calculators are permitted for grades 6 and up, but the specific items vary.
• Online vs. Paper-Pencil: The vast majority of students take the test online, where the calculator is embedded. For the rare paper-pencil administrations, specific rules apply for handheld calculators. Our page on Understanding Online Testing can be helpful.
• Accommodations: Students with specific, documented needs in their IEP or 504 plan may have different rules regarding calculator use as an accommodation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can a student bring their own calculator?

No, for the online test, students must use the embedded digital calculator provided by the testing system. This ensures fairness and prevents the use of devices with unapproved features.

2. What happens if a student doesn’t know how to use the embedded calculator?

Smarter Balanced provides practice tests and training tests that include the specific calculator for each grade level. Students are strongly encouraged to use these resources to become familiar with the tool before the actual test. Desmos, the provider of the calculator, also has practice versions on their website.

3. Is the calculator available for the entire math test?

No. For grades 6 and up, the math test is split into “calculator” and “no-calculator” sections. The student must complete the no-calculator section before the tool is enabled.

4. Why are no calculators allowed in grades 3-5?

In these foundational years, the assessment focuses on developing and measuring a student’s fundamental computational skills and number sense, which are best assessed without a calculator.

5. Is the policy the same for ELA tests?

No, this calculator policy applies specifically to the mathematics assessment. A calculator is not a provided tool for the English Language Arts (ELA) test.

6. What if a student has an IEP or 504 plan?

Students with a documented disability that impacts calculation may be eligible for a calculator as an accommodation, even on non-calculator sections. This must be determined by the student’s IEP or 504 team ahead of time. See our guide on Accessibility Supports for more.

7. Does the calculator policy change?

The core policy is stable, but it’s always best to check the official guidelines for the current school year from your state’s Department of Education or the Smarter Balanced website, as minor adjustments can be made.

8. What kind of calculator is used in high school?

High school assessments (Grade 11) use a powerful embedded graphing calculator provided by Desmos, which includes scientific and regression capabilities. This aligns with the advanced math concepts tested at this level. You can read more about High School Math Standards here.