<p>I've never used a graphing calc before but I'm thinking about using one as a supplement to my bread and butter casio during the March sat (my second sitting)...how much do they actually help you? is it just questions like graphs of fucntions and what not?</p>
<p>for SAT I graphing calculators really don't help you too much. I really use mine for the tedious calculations, graphing parts, and the systems of equations that would take a while doing by hand.</p>
<p>I agree with skp, they dont make much of a difference, but some kids already have them for school courses, so that's why they use them.</p>
<p>If you were thinking of getting a calc for the SAT, get the Ti89 b/c of its solver function.</p>
<p>Now 2 things about the Ti89 - 1. You CANNOT use it on the ACT (see the thread under ACT Preparation)
2. it will take you a little time to orient yourself to it and it aint cheap.</p>
<p>If money was no object, then get the TI89, if it is (duh) just do a little more practice instead and stick with your trusted calculator (with fresh batteries).</p>
<p>It might be a little late to learn to use the ti-89 since you never experienced a graphing calculator. Ti-89 is amazing it saves you a lot of time doing some tedious problems. solver, graph, etc... But it's not as useful in SAT I math as in the SAT IIC math. If you plan to take Math IIC. Definitely consider buying the ti-89. But it's a little pricey.</p>
<p>I do think a ti-83 would be helpful if you can learn some of the functions. It makes some of the questions really mind-numbingly easy (that were supposed to require a bit of effort in the first place).</p>
<p>Plus, it can't hurt, right?</p>