August 2004

Use of Graphing Calculators on the Regents Examination in Mathematics A

The Department will continue to study the use of graphing calculators on all State examinations. While this review is under way, students will be permitted to use graphing calculators when participating in Regents Examinations in Mathematics A, as well as in Mathematics A pretests and field tests.

We have analyzed the questions on the Mathematics A Regents Examination and believe that the use of graphing calculators does not provide students with any significant advantage over students using scientific calculators with trigonometric functions. However, we do not want to disadvantage students who regularly use graphing calculators in mathematics classroom instruction by prohibiting the use of graphing calculators on the Mathematics A Regents Examination.

If you have any questions on this issue, send them to us via e-mail at emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov.