<p>I'm taking the Math IIC this saturday and I dont think Im prepared, I have the barrons book but it's sooo hard for me to understand some of the stuff and I missed over 20 on the 2 practice tests I took. I took precalc at a community college class this summer and the professor did NOT allow us to use a graphing calculator....so I still dont know how to use one. Is a graphing calculator absolutely necessary for the test? and if so, is 2 days enough to learn how to use one. any help would be great</p>
<p>Not necessary. I dont use a graphing calculator, I get high 700's - 800 on practice tests. Every question can be solved with some sort of algebraic technique</p>
<p>thank you, that gives me so much hope. does anyone else think that a calculator ISN'T necessary for math IIC?</p>
<p>not necessary if ur a math wiz. Sometimes an algebraic technique might not be obvious or might take too much time. also what if there is a question on sine inverse. you would need a graphing calc. determinants are much easier to find on the calc than using the determinant formulas. matrices are annoying as hell from my experience in linear algebra. its easier to answer questions about x^4 function using a calc than by hand. and 2 days is plenty of time to learn how to use a graphing calc.</p>
<p>I honestly think that a graphing calculator should be used.. if you suddenly blank out, it really comes in handy just to have it with you. But if you rely on it, it might just kill time, especially if you're not sure how to use it.</p>
<p>A math calculator is NOT necessary for the Math II, because all the problems can be solved by hand, assuming you know how and you have excellent speed. However, the test is designed with the expectations most students use and know how to use a graphing calculator; not using one or not knowing how to use one puts you at a severe dissadvantage.</p>
<p>I would suggest to find someone who took or is taking Honors Algebra II/Honors Pre-Calculus/AP Calculus AB/AP Calculus BC to teach you how to use your graphing calculator. I mean, all you need to know is how to graph (and change the window), solve systems, find zeros, and find minimums and maximums. You could learn that in a few hours.</p>
<p>"For about 55-65 percent of the questions, a calculator may be useful or necessary.</p>
<p>If you're comfortable with both a scientific and graphing calculator, you should bring a graphing calculator. A graphing calculator may provide an advantage over a scientific calculator on some questions."</p>
<p>A graphing calc isn't all that necessary for the majority of the problems. Arc trigs are the only problems I see that may really require you to use a graphing calc (unless you like solving for them, which I'm sure you don't ;)).</p>
<p>However, graphing calcs are very basic and are extremely easy to learn. Take two or three mock tests using your graphing calc ONLY (even if it may be simple problems) so you know where your keys and your little modes and tricks are in the calc.</p>
<p>They do help A LOT, but they aren't necessary. But with the time you have, you've got plenty to learn how to use it. :)</p>