Can a Calculator Be Used in the GRE General Test?

Instantly check the official ETS policy for any section of the GRE exam.

GRE Calculator Policy Checker

What is the Policy on ‘Can a Calculator Be Used in the GRE General Test’?

A common question among test-takers is whether a calculator can be used in the GRE General Test. The answer is nuanced: yes, but with significant restrictions. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE, provides an on-screen calculator, but only for specific sections. Personal calculators are strictly forbidden. This policy ensures fairness by giving every test-taker access to the exact same tool, preventing any advantage from advanced, personal devices. The focus of the GRE is on your reasoning abilities, not your computational speed with a familiar calculator.

This tool is designed to clarify the official rules instantly. By selecting the test section, you can determine if you’ll have access to the provided on-screen calculator, helping you prepare your study strategy accordingly.

The GRE On-Screen Calculator and Its Functions

The calculator provided during the GRE is a basic on-screen tool. You cannot bring your own calculator to the test. The on-screen calculator is only available during the Quantitative Reasoning sections. For the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections, no calculator is provided or permitted.

The calculator itself has limited functionality, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and a square root function. It also includes basic memory functions (M+, MR, MC). It’s designed to handle tedious arithmetic, allowing you to focus on the problem-solving aspect of the questions. For more details on effective usage, consider reviewing our guide on GRE Quantitative Reasoning tips.

Table of Factors Determining Calculator Use in the GRE

Factor	Meaning	Options	Result
Test Section	The specific part of the GRE General Test.	Quantitative, Verbal, Analytical Writing	Allowed only in Quantitative.
Calculator Type	The origin of the calculation device.	On-Screen (ETS provided) vs. Personal	Only On-Screen is ever permitted.
Test Format	Whether the test is taken at a center or at home.	Test Center, At-Home	The policy is identical for both formats.

Practical Examples

Understanding when you can and can’t use the calculator is crucial. Here are two realistic scenarios:

Example 1: Quantitative Comparison Question

• Situation: You are presented with a complex geometry problem in the Quantitative Reasoning section that requires calculating the area of a circle with a radius of 7.5.
• Action: Instead of performing 3.14159 * 7.5 * 7.5 by hand, you can use the on-screen calculator to quickly find the answer.
• Result: Use of the calculator is **allowed and recommended** to save time and avoid simple arithmetic errors.

Example 2: Reading Comprehension Question

• Situation: You are in the Verbal Reasoning section, analyzing a passage that mentions population statistics from the 19th century. You feel an urge to calculate the percentage change between two figures mentioned in the text.
• Action: You must resist this urge. No calculator is available in this section.
• Result: Use of a calculator is **not allowed**. The question is testing your comprehension and reasoning, not your math skills. An effective GRE Verbal practice plan will prepare you for this.

How to Use This ‘Can a Calculator Be Used in the GRE’ Calculator

Our policy checker is straightforward. Follow these steps for a clear answer:

1. Select the GRE Section: Use the first dropdown menu to choose between “Quantitative Reasoning,” “Verbal Reasoning,” or “Analytical Writing.”
2. Select the Calculator Type: Use the second dropdown to specify if you’re asking about the “On-Screen Calculator” provided by ETS or a “Personal/Physical Calculator.”
3. Review the Result: The box below will instantly update with a clear “Yes” or “No” answer, along with a detailed explanation of the official policy for your specific combination of choices.
4. Reset or Copy: Use the “Reset” button to return to the default selections or “Copy Results” to save the information for your notes. This is a vital part of your overall GRE test preparation.

Key Factors That Affect GRE Calculator Policy

Several factors determine the rules around calculator use. Understanding them provides insight into the test’s design.

• 1. Test Section: This is the most critical factor. The GRE tests different skills in each section. The Quantitative section assesses mathematical reasoning (where a calculator helps with arithmetic), while Verbal and Writing sections assess language and logic (where a calculator is irrelevant).
• 2. Test Fairness: By providing a standardized on-screen calculator, ETS ensures no test-taker has an unfair advantage from a more powerful, feature-rich personal device. This levels the playing field.
• 3. Focus on Reasoning, Not Calculation: The GRE Quantitative section is designed to test your problem-solving and analytical skills, not your ability to perform complex arithmetic by hand. The calculator is a tool to bypass tedious calculations.
• 4. Test Security and Integrity: Banning personal calculators prevents the possibility of using devices with stored formulas, notes, or internet connectivity, which would compromise the integrity of the exam.
• 5. Test Format (At-Home vs. Test Center): The rules are consistent regardless of where you take the test. Both the at-home and test center versions of the GRE General Test provide the same on-screen calculator for the Quantitative sections.
• 6. Question Design: Many GRE Quant questions are designed to be solved more quickly through logical reasoning, estimation, or number properties rather than brute-force calculation. For guidance on this, see our article on Analytical Writing strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can you use your own physical calculator on the GRE?

No, you are strictly prohibited from bringing or using your own calculator. Doing so can lead to dismissal from the test. Only the on-screen calculator provided by ETS is permitted.

2. Is the GRE calculator available for all questions in the Quant section?

Yes, the on-screen calculator is available for all questions throughout both Quantitative Reasoning sections.

3. What functions does the GRE on-screen calculator have?

It’s a basic calculator with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. It also has memory functions (M+, MR, MC) and respects the order of operations (PEMDAS).

4. Should I practice using the on-screen calculator?

Absolutely. The on-screen interface can feel clumsy if you’re not used to it. Practicing with it during your prep (e.g., on the official ETS PowerPrep tests) will make you faster and more comfortable on test day.

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

Yes, the calculator provided during the at-home version of the GRE is identical to the one used at test centers. The policy is the same.

6. Does the calculator have a percentage (%) key?

No, the standard GRE on-screen calculator does not have a dedicated percentage key. You will need to work with decimals (e.g., multiply by 0.25 to find 25%).

7. Can the calculator handle very large numbers?

The calculator displays up to eight digits. If a calculation results in a number larger than what can be displayed, it will show an error.

8. Where can I find more information on scoring?

For details on how your performance is evaluated, you can read our guide on what is a good GRE score.