Does the GRE Allow a Calculator?

“Math GRE” can mean either the GRE Mathematics Subject Test or the Quantitative Reasoning sections of the GRE General Test. Their calculator rules are different, so the answer depends on which exam you mean.

Calculator rules at a glance

Exam	Calculator policy
GRE Mathematics Subject Test	Calculators are not allowed.
GRE General Test	An on-screen calculator is available during Quantitative Reasoning. Personal calculators are not allowed.

The subject test assesses mathematical knowledge and reasoning without a calculator. The General Test includes quantitative questions for which an on-screen calculator is available as a tool. It is not available as a substitute for knowing how to set up or interpret a problem.

If you mean the GRE Mathematics Subject Test

You should plan to take the Mathematics Subject Test without a calculator. Do not bring or expect to use a handheld calculator, calculator app, or other personal device for calculations. Prepare to simplify expressions, compare quantities, and work with numbers by hand or through mathematical reasoning.

That does not mean every question is intended to be solved by long arithmetic. Often, the useful move is to rewrite an expression, use a known identity, estimate a value, or recognize that an exact numerical calculation is unnecessary. Practice with the kinds of problems in the official test materials, and do so without relying on a calculator.

For example, consider simplifying

$$\frac{\frac{3}{4}+\frac{5}{6}}{\frac{7}{8}}.$$

First add the fractions using a common denominator:

$$\frac{3}{4}+\frac{5}{6} =\frac{9}{12}+\frac{10}{12} =\frac{19}{12}.$$

Then divide by multiplying by the reciprocal:

$$\frac{19}{12}\div\frac{7}{8} =\frac{19}{12}\cdot\frac{8}{7} =\frac{38}{21}.$$

The point is not that this particular calculation represents the whole test. It illustrates how fraction rules and careful simplification can replace decimal approximations.

If you mean the GRE General Test

The GRE General Test provides an on-screen calculator during Quantitative Reasoning. You may use that calculator for arithmetic, but you cannot bring your own calculator. The on-screen tool is available within the test interface; it is not a general calculator for other sections.

Even when the calculator is available, decide whether using it is helpful. A calculation may be quicker by hand, and an estimate can help you spot an entry error or eliminate unreasonable answer choices. For instance, if a problem asks for approximately 19% of 202, you can estimate it as about 20% of 200, or 40, before checking an exact value if needed. The estimate gives you a useful check on the result.

How to prepare

If you are taking the Mathematics Subject Test, do timed practice without a calculator. Focus on accurate fraction and exponent rules, algebraic manipulation, and recognizing efficient methods. When you make an arithmetic mistake, identify whether it came from the setup, a sign, or the calculation itself; repeating the same type of error is more useful to fix than simply doing more problems.

If you are taking the General Test, practice both with and without the on-screen calculator. Learn how it works before test day, but do not depend on it for every operation. You should be comfortable estimating, translating word problems into equations, and checking whether an answer is plausible.

Always check the current instructions from ETS for the exact test and format you have registered for. Policies and test interfaces can change, and the General Test’s calculator does not mean calculators are permitted on the Mathematics Subject Test.

Common mistakes

• Treating the two exams as one test. The Mathematics Subject Test and General Test have separate rules; check which one you registered for.
• Assuming a personal calculator is acceptable on the General Test. The permitted calculator is the one provided on screen.
• Preparing for the Subject Test with a calculator. Practice without one so you can manage calculations under the actual conditions.
• Using the General Test calculator automatically. A quick estimate or simplification may be faster and can help you catch an error.
• Relying on old test-day advice. Confirm the current ETS instructions for your exam rather than assuming a rule from a different test or format applies.