Is TI-84 Allowed on the SAT, ACT & AP Exams?

If you are preparing for the SAT, ACT, or an AP exam, one of the most stressful pretest questions is: Is my calculator actually allowed in there? Getting dismissed from a test room for a prohibited calculator is every student’s nightmare and it happens more often than you think.

The short answer: Yes, the TI-84 Allowed on the SAT, ACT & AP exams in 2026. But there are important rules to know, a major policy change that took effect in 2025, and specific things you must do to your calculator before test day.

This guide covers everything exact rules, banned models, what changed in 2025, and how to make sure you are fully prepared.

Need to practice before your exam? Use the free TI-84 calculator online works in any browser, no download needed.

⚡ Quick Answer

Is TI-84 Allowed on the SAT, ACT & AP in 2026? Yes. The TI-84 Plus CE and all non-CAS TI-84 models are fully approved for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP exams. Calculators with CAS (Computer Algebra System) functionality including the TI-89 and TI-Nspire CAS were banned from the SAT starting August 2025. The TI-84 does not have CAS, so it remains completely approved.

What Changed in 2025 – The CAS Calculator Ban

This is the biggest calculator policy update in years and affects a lot of students who own higher end calculators.

Starting with the August 2025 SAT administration, the College Board banned all calculators with CAS (Computer Algebra System) functionality from the SAT and PSAT. CAS calculators can solve algebra equations symbolically returning exact algebraic expressions rather than just numerical answers which gave users an unfair advantage.

The banned CAS calculators include:

TI-89 Titanium previously one of the most popular advanced calculators, now prohibited on SAT
TI-Nspire CX CAS and TI-Nspire CX II CAS banned
HP Prime banned
Any calculator with “CAS” in the model name

The TI-84 does NOT have CAS. It has never had CAS. This means the TI-84 is completely unaffected by the 2025 policy change and remains fully approved for all tests.

The ACT has always prohibited CAS calculators, so this change brings SAT policy in line with ACT rules.

TI-84 Exam Approval Status — 2026

Exam	TI-84 Allowed?	Notes
SAT	✅ Yes	All non-CAS TI-84 models approved
PSAT/NMSQT	✅ Yes	Same policy as SAT
ACT	✅ Yes	Approved since ACT allowed calculators
AP Calculus AB	✅ Yes	Calculator required for parts of the exam
AP Calculus BC	✅ Yes	Calculator required for parts of the exam
AP Statistics	✅ Yes	Calculator required throughout
AP Chemistry	✅ Yes	Scientific calculator functions needed
AP Physics	✅ Yes	Approved for all Physics AP exams
AP Biology	✅ Yes	Basic calculator functions sufficient
AP Environmental Science	✅ Yes	Approved
IB Diploma	✅ Yes	Approved for most IB math exams

Specific TI-84 Models That Are Approved

All of the following TI-84 models are approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams:

TI-84 Plus CE – the current standard model, most recommended
TI-84 Plus CE Python – same as CE with Python programming
TI-84 Plus CE-T – European version, same approval
TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition – older color model, still approved
TI-84 Plus – original Plus model, fully approved
TI-84 Plus Silver Edition – older silver version, approved

All of these are approved because none contain CAS functionality.

What Calculators Are NOT Allowed on the SAT and ACT

To be completely clear about what you cannot bring:

Prohibited because of CAS:

TI-89 Titanium
TI-92 (any model)
TI-Nspire CX CAS
TI-Nspire CX II CAS
HP Prime
HP 48GII
HP 40G, HP 49G, HP 50G series
Casio ClassPad 300, 330, 400
Any calculator with “CAS” in the model name

Prohibited for other reasons:

Any device with WiFi, Bluetooth, or cellular connectivity
Tablets or laptops (unless approved accommodation)
Smartphones or phone calculator apps
Calculators with QWERTY keyboards
Calculators with builtin cameras or audio/video recording
Calculators with paper tape
Power cords only battery powered calculators allowed

Quick test: If the word “CAS” appears anywhere in your calculator’s name or model number, it is banned from the SAT and ACT.

SAT Calculator Rules – What You Must Know

The SAT now uses a digital format (Bluebook app) for most test administrations. Here are the updated rules for 2026:

Builtin Desmos calculator: The digital SAT includes a builtin Desmos graphing calculator inside the Bluebook testing app. Students can use this instead of or in addition to a handheld calculator. Desmos toggles between graphing and scientific modes.

Your own calculator: You can still bring your own approved handheld calculator. Most students bring their TI-84 because they are more familiar with it than Desmos.

Calculator allowed sections: Calculators are allowed throughout the entire Math section of the SAT. They are NOT allowed during Reading and Writing sections.

Test day rules:

Calculator covers must stay under your desk at all times
Turn off all sounds on your calculator
Cover any infrared data ports with tape
Do not share calculators with other students
Only battery powered calculators no power cords
If your calculator has characters 1 inch or larger, you may be seated at the proctor’s discretion

ACT Calculator Rules – What You Must Know

The ACT has a similar but slightly different set of rules:

Calculator section: Calculators are only allowed on the Mathematics test (60 questions, 60 minutes). They are not allowed during English, Reading, or Science sections.

Builtin Desmos: Starting December 2025, students taking the ACT online have access to a builtin Desmos graphing calculator during the Math section. Students taking the paper ACT must bring their own approved calculator.

Sharing prohibited: You cannot share a calculator with another student during the exam.

Programs and apps: This is important the ACT prohibits calculators that have downloaded CAS programs or apps that perform symbolic algebra. Even if your calculator model is normally approved, if you have downloaded a CAS app onto it, it becomes prohibited. Before your ACT, delete any CAS programs from your TI-84.

AP Exam Calculator Rules

AP exam calculator policies vary by subject, but the TI-84 is approved across the board for all AP exams that permit calculators.

AP Calculus (AB and BC): A graphing calculator is required. The exam has two sections one with calculator allowed, one without. The TI-84 is the most commonly used calculator for AP Calculus. Key functions tested: graphing, finding zeros, nDeriv (numerical derivative), fnInt (numerical integral), and finding intersections.

AP Statistics: A graphing calculator or statistical software is required for the entire exam. The TI-84’s STAT functions (1-Var Stats, LinReg, normalcdf, invNorm, t-tests) are used directly in AP Statistics free response questions. If you are taking AP Statistics, knowing your TI-84’s STAT menu is not optional it is essential.

AP Chemistry and AP Physics: A scientific calculator is permitted. The TI-84 qualifies since it includes all scientific functions. However, for these exams a simpler scientific calculator like the TI-30 works equally well.

AP Biology and AP Environmental Science: A four-function calculator is sufficient. The TI-84 is approved but arguably overkill.

How to Prepare Your TI-84 for Test Day

Do these things the night before your exam:

1. Check your batteries Replace the AAA batteries in your TI-84 if they are more than a few months old. A dead calculator on test day is unrecoverable the proctor will not have spare batteries. If you have a TI-84 Plus CE, make sure it is fully charged.

2. Reset your RAM (optional but recommended) Some testing centers ask students to clear their calculators. To reset RAM: press [2nd] → [MEM] → [7: Reset] → [1: All RAM] → [2: Reset]. This clears all stored programs, lists, and variables. Only do this if you have reviewed all the content you need first. See our complete TI-84 reset guide for step by step instructions.

3. Check for prohibited apps or programs Go to [APPS] and scroll through your installed apps. If you have any CAS capable app installed, delete it before your exam. Press [APPS] → scroll to the app → press [ENTER] → select Delete.

4. Turn off all sounds Press [2nd] → [MODE] (Quit) → make sure your calculator is silent. There should be no click sounds or tones.

5. Cover any infrared ports If your TI-84 has an infrared port (some older models), cover it with a small piece of dark tape before entering the exam room.

6. Bring your calculator every practice test The most important rule: use your physical TI-84 for every SAT, ACT, and AP practice test you take. Calculator familiarity is one of the most overlooked test prep elements. Students who know their calculator’s menus instinctively save 3 to 5 minutes per test compared to students who hesitate on every function.

Should You Bring a Calculator to the SAT If There Is a BuiltIn Desmos?

This is a real question now that Desmos is built into the digital SAT.

Our recommendation: Bring your TI-84 anyway.

Here is why. Desmos is a powerful graphing tool, but it works differently than the TI-84. If you have spent months practicing with a TI-84, switching to Desmos mid exam adds cognitive load and eats into your time. You know where the buttons are on your TI-84. You do not need to think about it.

Additionally, for statistical calculations, Desmos is less intuitive than the TI-84’s STAT menu. If your exam has statistics questions, the TI-84 is faster for most students.

Bring both. Use whichever feels faster for each question.

TI-84 Functions Most Useful on Standardized Exams

For SAT and ACT Math:

Graphing functions to find intersections visually
Solving equations using the zero function ([2nd] → [TRACE] → Zero)
Storing values to variables using [STO→]
Computing factorials for counting problems ([MATH] → PRB → 4: !)
Working with fractions using MathPrint mode

For AP Calculus:

nDeriv( for numerical derivatives ([MATH] → 8)
fnInt( for definite integrals ([MATH] → 9)
Finding zeros of functions ([2nd] → [TRACE] → 2: Zero)
Finding maximum and minimum values ([2nd] → [TRACE] → 3 or 4)
Finding intersections ([2nd] → [TRACE] → 5: Intersect)

For AP Statistics:

1-Var Stats for mean, median, and standard deviation
LinReg for linear regression
normalcdf and invNorm for normal distribution problems
t tests and z tests under the STAT → TESTS menu

For a complete step by step guide to every statistics function, see our how to do statistics on a TI-84 guide.

Yes. The TI-84 Plus CE is fully approved for the SAT in 2026. It does not have CAS functionality, so it is unaffected by the August 2025 CAS ban.

Yes. All non-CAS TI-84 models have always been approved for the ACT. The ACT has prohibited CAS calculators for many years.

Yes. A graphing calculator is required for AP Calculus AB and BC. The TI-84 is the most widely used calculator for this exam.

No. The TI-89 was banned from the SAT starting August 2025 due to its CAS functionality. If you own a TI-89, you need a different calculator for the SAT.

Some proctors may ask you to reset your calculator. To be safe, remove any downloaded CAS programs. Standard built in functions are always allowed.

The proctor will not provide a replacement calculator. Bring fresh batteries (TI-84 Plus uses AAA) or ensure your TI-84 Plus CE is fully charged. Consider bringing a spare basic calculator as a backup.

Yes. ti84.online offers a free browser based TI-84 that is identical in function to the physical device. Practice every function you will need before test day.