Can you use a calculator on the GRE? Yes, but it’s not a physical calculator. Instead, the GRE only offers a simple on-screen calculator. Give it a try below!
Read on to learn more about the features and limitations of the GRE calculator, as well as when it’s best to use it (and avoid it).
Again, it’s important to remember that the GRE calculator is a very basic one. It can do about as much as the most simple calculator app you find on cell phones. With that said, not even all basic calculators behave the same way, so let’s take a closer look at how the GRE calculator works.
Lastly, it’s tiny in size ! Though our interactive calculator above resizes with your screen to make it easier for you to experiment with, the calculator on your actual exam is going to be quite small, like this:
Thus, test out the functionality here, but be sure to practice your execution at the correct, smaller scale. You can try that out right now with this free calculator practice problem on Magoosh.
Just because the calculator exists doesn’t mean that you should use it all the time. It’s a handy tool, but don’t let it slow you down. You’ll want to balance your problem-solving skills, mental math, and calculator use for a great GRE quant score. Remember, it’s about picking the right approach for each question. You’ll want to:
Now, let’s dive into some of those points in more detail.
It is crucial to know that not every problem on GRE quant requires a calculator. In fact, over-reliance on it—especially for easier problems—can impede your progress. While calculator use can be helpful for problems that require you to work with larger numbers, multiple steps, or decimals and percents, it’s important to remember that it is not an automatic ticket to the correct answer.
It won’t necessarily solve complex problems faster than logic or intuition. Furthermore, the on-screen calculator interface isn’t intuitive, and the time you devote to using it could negatively impact your overall pacing. Thus, it can be helpful, but you have to find the right balance between speed and accuracy.
When it comes to the GRE, the challenge is not really the math calculations. Rather, the challenge is how we approach and solve the problems. Believe it or not, many test-takers actually find that they don’t need a calculator for a lot of the questions.
How can that be? Here’s a fun fact: The test makers know that time is short; therefore, if a question seems to require a bunch of complicated calculations, look to the answers. The answers often provide shortcuts to the solution—some value options are just way too big or small and can be eliminated immediately or after working a couple steps of the problem. Relying on the power of the process of elimination (POE), is very likely a faster, calculator-free way to get to the correct answer.
For the questions below, identify which ones require the GRE calculator and which ones do not:
💡 Try out the calculator—or choose to avoid it!—on these GRE Math Practice questions .
The GRE calculator can either assist you or weigh you down. Thus, carefully consider how and when you’ll use it. Keep in mind that things like mental math and estimation can often be faster shortcuts.
Magoosh offers a wealth of advice and tutorials to help you use the calculator strategically. You can find help with this and other aspects of the GRE right here on the blog and in our GRE Premium video lessons.
Bhavin sets the vision and strategy for Magoosh, along with whatever else needs to be done. With a BS/BA in Economics and Computer Science from Duke University and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, he’s on a mission to change the way people learn and how they think about learning. Years ago, Bhavin played on several Nationals-level ultimate frisbee teams. Today, he’s our resident gelato connoisseur.