Can You Use A Calculator On The Pert Test

PERT Calculator Usage Checker

The rules about calculators on the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) are strict. Use this tool to see if you can use a calculator on the PERT test for a specific section.

Select a section to see the policy

Official Policy

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Calculator Type

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Personal Calculator

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Policy Explanation: The PERT is designed to assess foundational academic skills. For the Mathematics section, a specific on-screen calculator is provided for certain questions to test problem-solving with a tool. For Reading and Writing, calculators are prohibited to ensure skills in comprehension and grammar are measured without assistance.

Policy Summary & Visualization

Allowed

Not Allowed

High Low

This chart dynamically shows whether a calculator is generally permitted for the selected test section.

Official PERT Calculator Rules Summary

Test Section	Calculator Allowed?	Details
Mathematics	Yes (On-Screen)	An on-screen digital calculator appears for specific, designated questions. Personal calculators are forbidden.
Reading	No	No calculator of any kind is permitted during the Reading section.
Writing	No	No calculator of any kind is permitted during the Writing section.

A quick-reference guide to the calculator policy for each section of the PERT exam.

What is the PERT Test?

The Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) is Florida’s common placement exam used by all 28 Florida College System institutions. Its primary purpose is to assess a student’s academic skills and determine their readiness for college-level courses in Mathematics, Reading, and Writing. Rather than a pass/fail exam, the PERT provides scores that place students into appropriate courses, which may include developmental education if their skills are not yet at college level. This ensures students start in classes that match their current abilities, setting them up for success. Knowing if you can use a calculator on the PERT test is a common and important question for test-takers.

This test is crucial for recent high school graduates, dual enrollment students, and any new student entering the Florida College System who doesn’t have an exemption (e.g., from high SAT/ACT scores). A common misconception is that the PERT is an entrance exam you must “pass” to get into college. In reality, it is a placement tool; your score determines your starting point in the curriculum, not your admission status. Another myth is that you can bring your own calculator, but the policy is very specific and strict.

Official PERT Calculator Policy Explained

The fundamental question—can you use a calculator on the PERT test—has a nuanced answer that depends entirely on the section of the test you are taking. The Florida Department of Education sets a clear, system-wide policy to ensure fairness and to accurately measure specific skills. Personal calculators are strictly prohibited in all sections of the PERT test to prevent advantages and ensure test security.

The logic is simple: the Reading and Writing sections assess literacy and language skills, where a calculator provides no relevant function. The Mathematics section, however, is designed to test a range of skills. Some questions target pure computational ability (where no calculator is allowed), while others assess higher-level reasoning where basic calculations are secondary. For these designated problems, an on-screen calculator is provided.

Policy Breakdown Table

Component	Meaning	Details & Typical Range
Test Section	The part of the PERT exam being taken.	Mathematics, Reading, or Writing.
Calculator Status	Whether a calculator is permitted.	Allowed (On-Screen Only) / Not Allowed.
Calculator Type	The specific model or format provided.	A pop-up digital calculator appears on the screen. No physical calculators are used.
Applicable Questions	Which questions allow calculator use.	Only specific, pre-determined questions within the Mathematics subtest. An icon will appear.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Understanding the policy is easier with real-world scenarios that show how knowing if you can use a calculator on the PERT test plays out during the exam.

Example 1: The Mathematics Section

Scenario: Sofia is taking the PERT Mathematics test. She answers several questions on algebra and exponents using the provided scratch paper. On the tenth question, which involves a complex polynomial, a calculator icon appears on her screen.

Action: Sofia clicks the icon, and an on-screen calculator pops up. She uses it to perform the necessary calculations quickly and accurately, allowing her to focus on the algebraic steps of the problem. On the next question, the icon is gone, so she returns to using her scratch paper. This demonstrates the intended use of the integrated tool.

Example 2: The Reading Section

Scenario: Ben is in the middle of the PERT Reading section. He’s analyzing a long passage and feels pressure about his timing. He wishes he could calculate his average time per question.

Action: Ben knows that no calculators are allowed in this section. Instead of worrying about a tool he can’t use, he relies on his time management skills, glancing at the timer and focusing on reading comprehension. This shows how the test rules force students to rely on the core skills being assessed in each section.

How to Use This PERT Calculator Policy Checker

This page’s calculator is designed to give you a quick and clear answer to whether you can use a calculator on the PERT test. Follow these simple steps:

1. Select the Test Section: In the dropdown menu labeled “Select the PERT Test Section,” choose either Mathematics, Reading, or Writing.
2. View the Instant Result: The large result box will immediately update. It will turn green and display “ALLOWED (On-Screen)” for the Math section or red and display “NOT ALLOWED” for the Reading and Writing sections.
3. Review the Details: Below the main result, you can see key details about the official policy, the type of calculator (if any), and the rule on personal calculators.
4. Check the Chart and Table: For a quick visual summary, the dynamic bar chart and the policy table provide an overview of the rules for all three sections at a glance.

Use this information to prepare correctly. If you’re studying for the math section, get familiar with doing some problems without a calculator and understand that you’ll have a tool for others. If you’re studying for reading or writing, focus solely on those skills.

Key Factors That Affect PERT Results

Your performance on the PERT depends on foundational knowledge, not just on whether you can use a calculator on the PERT test. Here are six key factors:

1. Arithmetic and Pre-Algebra Skills:

Many math questions don’t allow a calculator, testing your mastery of fractions, decimals, percentages, and order of operations directly. Weakness here can cost you points on questions where a calculator isn’t an option.

2. Algebraic Reasoning:

The ability to solve linear equations, work with polynomials, and understand functions is central to the PERT Math test. The on-screen calculator can help with numbers, but it can’t solve for ‘x’ for you.

3. Reading Comprehension and Speed:

The Reading section measures your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. Your reading speed and ability to identify main ideas and details are critical under untimed but lengthy conditions.

4. Grammar and Syntax Knowledge:

The Writing section focuses on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and identifying errors. This requires memorization and application of English language rules.

5. Time Management Strategy:

Although the PERT is untimed, it’s recommended to allow about three hours for all sections. Pacing yourself is key to avoiding fatigue and making careless mistakes. Don’t get stuck on one question for too long.

6. Familiarity with the Test Format:

Understanding the computer-adaptive nature of the test (questions get harder or easier based on your answers) and knowing how the on-screen calculator functions are important. Practice tests can reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I bring my own calculator to the PERT test?

No. Personal calculators of any kind are strictly prohibited. Bringing one to the testing center is not allowed. The only calculator you might use is the one provided on-screen for certain math questions.

2. What kind of calculator is on the PERT test?

The on-screen tool is a basic or scientific calculator (often modeled after the TI-30Xa). It is a pop-up window within the test interface. You will not know the exact model beforehand, but it will be sufficient for the questions presented.

3. Does the calculator appear for all math questions?

No. It only appears for a limited number of questions that the test designers have flagged as calculator-appropriate. You must be prepared to solve many math problems without a calculator.

4. What happens if I’m caught with a personal calculator?

Using an unauthorized device like a personal calculator is a serious violation of testing rules and will likely result in the invalidation of your test scores and potential disciplinary action by the institution.

5. Is knowing if I can use a calculator on the PERT test the most important part of my prep?

While it is important to know the rules to avoid surprises, focusing on the underlying academic skills is far more critical. Your knowledge of algebra, grammar, and reading comprehension will determine your score, not the calculator policy.

6. Is the PERT test timed?

No, the PERT is not timed. You can take as much time as you need on each question. However, since you cannot go back, it’s wise to be sure of your answer before moving on. The entire three-section test takes about 3 hours on average.

7. Can I use scratch paper?

Yes, the testing center will provide you with scratch paper and a pencil to work out problems, which is especially important for the math questions where a calculator is not available.

8. Do I need to take all three sections of the PERT?

It depends on your situation. Some students may only need to take one or two sections based on previous test scores (like SAT/ACT) or their intended program of study. Check with your college’s testing center for requirements.