Can You Use a Calculator on the TEAS? ATI’s Rules Explained

Yes, but only the one ATI gives you. Can you use a calculator on the TEAS? ATI builds a basic calculator into the exam that opens from an icon next to the timer and works on every question in every section. You cannot bring your own calculator, phone or calculator watch, whether you test at home or in person. The math section has 38 questions in 57 minutes.

ATI’s official calculator rules at a glance

All of the rules below come from ATI’s own help pages for the ATI TEAS (version 7).

What the on-screen calculator can do

ATI describes it as a basic calculator with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percent, square root, a decimal point, a backspace key and memory keys (m+, m−, mrc, mc). It opens in a window you can move or close, from the icon at the upper right next to the timer. It is not a scientific or graphing calculator, and ATI’s key list includes no parentheses, exponent or fraction keys. Plan to handle order of operations and fractions on paper.

TEAS math section facts

ATI’s content outline lists the skills: converting among fractions, decimals and percents, ordering numbers, solving one-variable equations, percents, proportions, ratios and rates, estimation, reading tables and graphs, basic statistics, geometry, and converting within and between standard and metric units.

What this means for you

The calculator is a safety net, not a strategy. Many TEAS math questions are about setting up the right proportion or equation, and the calculator does nothing for that step. It is most useful for messy multiplication and division, such as dosage or unit conversions with decimals. At about 90 seconds per question, opening the window, typing and closing it costs time on problems you could do faster by hand. Since the calculator also works in the science section, it helps there with things like averaging measurements.

Calculator or by hand? Worked TEAS-style examples

1. Dosage proportion (set up by hand, compute either way)

A medication comes as 250 mg in 5 mL. The order is 400 mg. How many mL? Set up the proportion: 250/5 = 400/x. Cross-multiply: 250x = 2,000, so x = 8 mL. Mental check: 250 mg per 5 mL is 50 mg per mL, and 400 ÷ 50 = 8.

2. Pounds to kilograms (calculator helps)

A patient weighs 154 lb. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, the weight is 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg. On the on-screen calculator, that is one division. By hand, multiply both numbers by 10 first: 1,540 ÷ 22 = 70.

3. Percent change (use the calculator for the last step)

A heart rate rises from 80 to 92 beats per minute. What is the percent increase? Change = 92 − 80 = 12. Divide by the original: 12 ÷ 80 = 0.15, or 15%. A common mistake is dividing by the new value: 12 ÷ 92 is about 13%, which is wrong.

4. Ordering numbers (faster by hand)

Order 3/8, 0.4 and 35% from least to greatest. Write each as a decimal: 3/8 = 0.375, 0.4 = 0.400 and 35% = 0.350. So the order is 35%, 3/8, 0.4. Knowing that 1/8 = 0.125 makes 3/8 instant.

5. One-variable equation (the calculator can’t set it up)

Solve 3x + 7 = 25. Subtract 7: 3x = 18. Divide by 3: x = 6. Check: 3(6) + 7 = 25. This takes seconds on paper.

6. Averages (use memory keys)

Three temperatures are 98.6, 99.1 and 100.2 °F. Add them, pressing m+ after each if you like: 98.6 + 99.1 + 100.2 = 297.9. Then 297.9 ÷ 3 = 99.3 °F.

Common mistakes and myths

• “The calculator is only in the math section.” Several popular pages say this. ATI says it is available on every question in every section.
• “I can keep my phone nearby for a quick calculation at home.” Phone calculators are banned, and a calculator in camera view can be flagged.
• “A basic calculator follows order of operations for me.” Do not count on it. Work multi-step expressions in pieces and write each result down.
• “I’ll fix it later.” You can return to questions only until you submit the section.
• Skipping the estimate. A typo can turn 70 kg into 7 kg. A quick estimate (154 is about 150, and 150 ÷ 2 = 75) catches it.

How to prepare

Practice with a plain four-function calculator, not a phone app with extra buttons, so that test day feels familiar. Decide in advance which problem types you will do by hand: equations, ordering and simple percents. Memorize key conversions, since ATI’s formulas page lists conversions among what you need to know and does not mention a formula sheet. Then work timed sets at about 90 seconds per question.

Start with our free ATI TEAS 7 math practice tests and lessons, review the TEAS math formulas, and sharpen percents with the percent problems lesson. For more full-length practice, see our collection of free ATI TEAS 7 math practice tests.

TEAS calculator rules practice quiz: 10 questions

Test yourself with 10 multiple-choice questions. Choose an answer and press Submit to see if you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.

Frequently asked questions

Does the TEAS give you a calculator?

Yes. On the online TEAS, a basic calculator opens on screen from the icon next to the timer, and ATI says it is available on every question in every section. If your school still gives the paper version, the proctor hands out a calculator. In every format, you cannot bring your own.

Can I bring my own calculator to the TEAS?

No. ATI says personal calculators, phone calculators and calculator watches are not allowed for any TEAS exam, at home or in person. At a testing site your calculator stays outside the exam room with your other belongings. During a remote exam, a calculator visible to the camera can be flagged as an irregularity.

What kind of calculator is on the TEAS?

A basic one. ATI lists addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percent, square root, a decimal point, backspace and memory keys (m+, m−, mrc, mc). It is not scientific or graphing, so fractions, exponents and order of operations are best handled on your scratch paper.

How many math questions are on the TEAS?

The math section has 38 questions and a 57-minute limit, about 1.5 minutes per question. Four questions are unscored pretest items. The 34 scored questions split into Numbers and Algebra (18) and Measurement and Data (16), according to ATI's exam details page.

Can you use scratch paper on the TEAS at home?

Yes. ATI allows one blank 8.5 x 11 sheet of scratch paper, or a small tabletop whiteboard for at-home exams, plus two writing instruments. The paper must be blank when the exam starts, and the system flags paper that is not. For in-person exams, scratch paper is provided.

Sources

• Do I need to bring a calculator? ATI Help (checked November 2026)
• Scratch paper rules, ATI Help (checked November 2026)
• TEAS sections, timing and going back, ATI Help (checked November 2026)
• TEAS exam details, ATI (checked November 2026)
• ATI TEAS Version 7 content outline (PDF) (checked November 2026)
• Math formulas to know for the TEAS exam, ATI Help (checked November 2026)