Online Testing May Soon Include a Built-in Graphic Calculator

Graphing calculators have been a staple of the standardized testing organizations for years with several having approved the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus calculator for use on the PSAT, SAT, and ACT college entrance exams, IB and AP tests.

That may change due to developments in app technology. The software company Desmos has developed a free graphic calculator app that can be embedded into online tests freeing students from having to purchase an expensive (around $100 new) device to aid them in their education.

As a field who is tasked with helping students move on to secondary education, this may be a good solution for financially struggling programs and students. The caveat to it for now seems to be Minnesota is not a state who has adopted the new technology and while this has been general licensing talk about the app, no set fee to the testing company has been released and one would think the cost would be passed along to students. Time will surely answer these queries but for the moment more information can be found in the following articles.

Startup Targets The TI Calculators Your Kid Lugs to Class

Test-approved app could kill off the graphing calculator