<p>Hello everybody, I'm having my sat test in may 7 and I'm beginning to think that i need a more efficient calculator like TI-83,84,89 because I have a casio fx991-es and never see it mentioned and I'm very familiar with it.So should I buy a new calculator or I can do very good with this?If so can you tell tips and tricks for this calculator for the SAT.
Thank you.</p>
<p>I know some will disagree with me here, but I think as long as it does basic scientific functions like exponents, you’re good to go. Fancy calcs like the TI-89 are completely unnecessary, and some kids even manage to obstruct themselves with them. I use a TI-83, but it died during the first math section when I got my 2400, so I just went on without it. True story. Check your batteries, folks.</p>
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<p>Oh that is simple … if you have to ask, do not bother buying the fancy calculator. Trying to find shortcuts for the regular SAT is an exercise in futility as this stage. This is different from the SAT Subject Tests that amply reward the mastery of a graphic calculator. </p>
<p>There are very few questions that are better solved with a calculator, and NONE that require one. Your best and fastest calculator is between your ears. If you bring one, the best advice is to only use it when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, you will actually slow yourself down. </p>
<p>Please understand that this does not mean that someone who knows how to make a TI-89 sing and do amazing things should not use it. This is about buying a new tool and expecting miracles from it.</p>
<p>If you had more time (about 2 months), switching calculators would be feasible. Since your SAT is in about 2 weeks, just keep using your current calculator and learn how to use it inside and out. The calculator you have is a good calculator; just because it isn’t mentioned doesn’t mean it isn’t good.</p>
<p>And Xiggi makes a good point: your brain really is the most powerful calculator you have (though I will admit that my TI-84 and TI-89 really helped me after I really learned how to use them).</p>
<p>I agree with the others on here. Stick with the calculator you are comfortable with for this SAT coming up. </p>
<p>However, after this SAT I would suggest getting and practicing with something like a TI-83 or 84 for the October test (don’t get an 89 - it’s way too complicated to use). There are a few advantages:</p>
<p>(1) big screen - you’re less likely to make a calculator error when you have the bigger screen
(2) you can pull up your last computation quickly by hitting 2nd enter - this can sometimes save a lot of time.
(3) every now and then a question comes along that can be solved very easily using the graphing features of your calculator - but of course you need to know how to use these features.</p>
<p>None of these 3 advantages outweighs the advantage you gain by using a calculator you’re very comfortable with, but if you have at least a month or so to practice with it, then switch to the graphing calculator.</p>
<p>^The OP’s calculator has a multi-line screen, as well as the ability to recall previous computations. This is not unusual even for sub-$25 dollar calculators.</p>
<p>[Ironic aside: it is not hard to find a $19.95 calculator suitable for an engineer going through 4 years of college but which is not enough for AP Calc AB or certain subject tests].</p>
<p>I’d agree with (3); however, these problems are not common (looking at past tests, I’d gauge fewer than 1 per test on average) and you need to be comfortable graphing on the calculator in order for the calculator use to actually save time.</p>
<p>So, my two cents are: stick with the calculator you have for the SAT.</p>