<p>Xiggi, when you put it that way it seems foolish to even consider picking up a calculator! Thanks for reminding me once again that simplicity is your friend. :)</p>
<p>There are students who can do some crazy “stuff” with graphic calculators. Such experts can make most questions on the (standard) SAT seem trivial. For most “non-experts” students, grabbing the calculator ends up costing them precious time. </p>
<p>Having the discipline to leave the TI on the corner of the desk until absolutely needed is a good idea.</p>
<p>Xiggi,</p>
<p>I completely agree with you. Also, I realized this was an old thread after I posted :P. The TI calculators are unnecessary and sometimes ruin the exam. A friend of mine purchased a TI-Nspire and boosted his math score from a 630 to 740 due to the very advanced programs he imported onto his calculator. The graphing calculators are contributing to cheating on the math section in this day and age…</p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>
<p>Ace, using a TI on the SAT is not cheating. </p>
<p>Think this way … TCB knows very well what a calculator can do, and they are not clueless. The test does reward the few who are really good with making their TI sing, but the test does NOT penalize the students who learn how to solve problems through knowledge and reasoning abilities. </p>
<p>Fwiw, I have a profound respect for the TI experts. I just think that their craft is more relevant to the Math II (subject test.) </p>
<p>I also think that there are fewer chances for the batteries in my head to stop working during the test! :)</p>
<p>Xiggi,</p>
<p>I’m not saying the calculators are cheating. I use mine, appropriately. I just find it unfair that people can’t solve certain problems algebraically and they use a program on a calculator more advanced than a TI-84+ to do it for them. My friend (that I described above) used programs to boost his score so high, he didn’t learn the math. One program he readily used was systems of equations; 3 variable equations could be inputted and solved for x, y, and z. I personally feel that someone should understand and be able to solve the problem without a calculator before they use it. But thats my own thing and how I was brought up. I suppose you’re right, TCB does know this. They obviously don’t have proctors go around and clear the calculators, so in a sense they are supporting it. </p>
<p>I too have respect for my TI calculator. I <3 my TI-84. I’ve kept myself occupied by writing programs for it, nerd power! :)</p>
<p>~Aceventura74</p>
<p>28,000 is 1% of 2.8 million, so if candidate I beat candidate II by 28,000 votes, he won by 1 percentage point: 50.5 to 49.5.</p>