Have the Right Calculator

First of all, get a graphing or scientific calculator. Don’t try to take a Math subject test without one.
It’s not like the SAT, for which a calculator is permitted but not really necessary. On the SAT Subject
Test: Mathematics 2, a calculator is essential.

Know what kind of calculator you should use. Almost any kind of calculator is allowed, even a
programmable or graphing calculator. According to the College Board, the majority of students
bring a graphing calculator to the Math 2 test; therefore, the tests are developed with the
expectation that most students are using graphing calculators. Be sure your calculator performs the
following functions:

No laptops allowed. Excluded are laptops or other computers, tablets, cell phones, or
smartphones; machines that print, make noise, or need to be plugged in; or calculators with a
typewriter keypad or an angled readout screen. Check the College Board website for further
specifics.

Advantages of a graphing or scientific calculator. In addition to that list of necessary functions,
there are other advantages to using a scientific or graphing calculator.

Scientific calculators with a two-line display let users see what they are typing before performing the
operation, so they can catch input errors. Most scientific calculators will also have parentheses keys;
these calculators will handle PEMDAS—order of operations.

DON’T FORGET PEMDAS

Sine,   cosine, and tangent

Arcsine,    arccosine,  and arctangent

Squares,    cubes,  and other   powers

Square  roots   and cube    roots

Base-10 logarithms