Prohibited calculators..

Test Preparation
1

<p>I'm currently a junior. I received a 1990 on the January SATs (first time taking them, minus PSATs back in October as well as my sophomore years).</p>

<p>Math was my lowest score (630)... but I've been working on math since then, and I'm more than confident that I can pull off a 700; 800 would take some luck, but I've never been too far off.</p>

<p>Anyways, to aid in this pursuit, I've been looking into getting a graphing calculator (especially since I'll be taking AP Calc next year). I figure it could help with my AP exams this year, as well as SAT Subject Tests, the SATs themselves, and the ACTs. I'd just taken the ACTs yesterday and found that a graphing calculator would be infinitely useful...</p>

<p>Many of my friends who are seniors have the TI-Nspire CX CAS. This thing looks absolutely spectacular, even if it would take a bit of work to get used to. So, naturally, I became set on getting that.</p>

<p>...then I looked up the prohibited calculators for the SATs/ACTs. Of course, the ACT explicitly prohibits the TI-Nspire CAS. That would leave me with the TI-Nspire CX.</p>

<p>My question, then, is- what is the difference between the CX CAS and the regular CX? From what I understand, the CAS flat-out adds more functionality, but how helpful is this functionality?</p>

<p>I have an excellent non-graphing calculator right now, the TI-36X Pro. If it absolutely came down to it, I would be happy getting the CX CAS for AP Calc next year, and just use the 36X Pro for the ACTs.</p>

<p>PS- To anybody with the CX/CX CAS- how difficult is it to get the hang of using?</p>

<p>PPS- I've heard many people say that they've taken the ACTs with either the TI-89 or the CX CAS. How?</p>

2

<p>TI-89 and any CAS are not allowed for ACT. You can see the comparison chart on TI’s website. The best deal for all test is the NSpire with Touchpad (non CAS model). It will give you a free TI-84+ keypad and make it a better TI-84+ for ACT, and yet, it has most of the functions of other NSpire (but no color and no CAS). The best part is the low price. It is even cheaper than a TI-83 ($58 on Amazon).</p>

<p>See official comparison chart:
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<p>CX is for color display, while CAS can solve multiple variable equations.
See description on TI’s website:
CAS (Computer Algebra System) –Explore symbolic algebra and symbolic calculus, in addition to standard numeric calculations. View exact values – in the form of variables such as x and y, radicals and pi – when doing step-by-step arithmetic, algebraic and calculus calculations.</p>

3

<p>If you want a calculator with CAS, the NSpire Touchpad CAS (no color) is the best deal. You can get it for $60.</p>